The music of Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Marvin Gaye, the Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder and the Supremes poured from radio speakers and spun on record players because of one man, Berry Gordy.

Thanks to an $800 loan from his family, Gordy founded the legendary soul label Motown in Detroit in 1959 and would produce what would be known as “The Sound of Young America,” music that would change the landscape of American culture starting in the racially-charged 1960s. Gordy has long been driven to tell the the Motown story and wrote Motown the Musical, which will now make its way to Broadway, according to the Detroit News.

The musical will be directed by Charles Randolph-Wright (Ruined, Sophisticated Ladies, Through the Night) and produced by Kevin McCollum (Rent, Avenue Q, In the Heights). Gordy’s life will be highlighted in the production, to be expected since he was at the forefront of Motown and its Hitsville U.S.A. headquarters. And unlike previous films depicting Motown, Gordy should have no difficulty gaining permission to use many of the hits released by his label.

Casting for Gordy’s musical has not been announced as of yet.

- E.J. Judge, WCBSFM New York