Kennedy William Gordy, better known by his stage nameRockwell, is an American former musician and singer-songwriter who was signed to the Motown label. He is best known for his 1984 hit single "Somebody's Watching Me".
To avoid the appearance of nepotism, he secured his record deal without his father's knowledge. Motown actually came up with the name Rockwell and the young Gordy agreed to the change because he believed he "rocked well." In 1984, Rockwell had his biggest single, "Somebody's Watching Me", with childhood friendMichael Jackson singing the chorus lyrics and Jermaine Jackson singing back-up. "Somebody's Watching Me" became a Gold-certified million selling #2 song in the US, which also peaked at #6 in the UK. It held #1 on Billboard's R&B chart for five weeks. Follow-up singles underperformed, with "Obscene Phone Caller" being Rockwell's only other Top 40 single. It reached #35 on the Billboard Hot 100. Rockwell released two more albums before ending his musical career with Motown. Rockwell was not the first member of the Gordy family to hit Billboard's Hot 100 as a recording artist. His uncle, Robert Gordy, reached the longer reaches of the chart in 1958 with "Everyone Was There," recording under the name of Bob Kayli.
Personal life
Rockwell is the son of Berry Gordy. Rockwell's paternal half-sister is actress Rhonda Ross Kendrick, the eldest child of Diana Ross. Rockwell is also closely related to the group LMFAO through his half-brother Redfoo and his nephew SkyBlu. In July 2010, Rockwell married Nicole Moore. In 2013 he filed for divorce. The couple have no children together. On November 29, 2018, Rockwell was arrested in Hollywood for allegedly beating a female associate with a chair at the Magic Castle Hotel after she approached him and demanded payment. Rockwell was released from jail on December 1, 2018, on a $30,000 bail. On January 7, 2019, the woman, who suffered multiple injuries from the attack and had undergone surgery to repair a broken arm, filed a lawsuit against Rockwell in Los Angeles for personal injury, claiming damages exceeding $25,000.
Discography
Studio albums
Singles
Filmography
Rockwell appeared on Soul Train on February 2, 1985.
