QUOTES and MORE
“Mickey was a street cat, a wheeler-dealer, but I knew it was that same hustling quality that made him the superstar A&R man he was. He could match up any kind of team – writers, producers, artists – any combination…”
“It was really with Mickey that I began something that was unique to my management style; building the structure around the person rather than fitting the person into the structure. People over structure would continue to dominate throughout the years…”
“Right at the start, he went on the lookout for great musicians, combing even the seediest of bars and hangouts. If they could play, Mickey would bring ’em in, putting together the greatest house band that anyone could ever want. They called themselves The Funk Brothers…” “I (will) always remember Mickey Stevenson for his loyalty and dedication. He was one of the greatest creative forces during our formative years. He himself many times came up with a key idea, word or phrase on somebody else’s production that helped make it a smash. A motivator, Mickey inspired greatness. He was tough but took care of his people. They loved him and so did I”.
Berry Gordy(Quotes sited with expressed permission from Berry Gordy’s autobiography, “To Be Loved” 1994, 2013) – WikiTravel
“Mickey Stevenson is my brother, brother. He has not received his props. He was our first A&R man at Motown. Marvin wanted to be a crooner. Mickey was the one who turned Marvin around to become what we know and love! He convinced Marvin Gaye to sing rhythm and blues”.
Smokey Robinson(Quote from Legendary songwriter and performer, Smokey Robinson via the 2010 presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Mickey Stevenson at the California African American Museum.) – Media Wiki
"Mickey Stevenson was one of the first producers I met at Motown."
Stevie Wonder(Quote from Stevie Wonder, Motown Artist for Life, via the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremonies for the Funk Brothers. March 2013) – Max Mobilcom
"You may not realize how much you are admired and respected by everyone. You have a lot of fans on our Nominating Committee who gave all the reasons for you to be on the ballot. You were elected by the entire membership of a couple of thousand to be inducted. Everybody is excited about celebrating you and your music!;" - Linda Moran CEO and President of The Songwriters Hall of Fame
"Mickey Stevenson also credited the Motown in-house band famously known as The Funk Brothers who performed the tracks and backing of all the Motown recordings from 1959 until the company moved to Los Angeles in 1972. When new musicians came into Motown and wanted to know, Who’s the power? It was Mickey." - Jack Ashford (Funk Brothers)
Mickey Stevenson | Motown’s First A&R Man, Songwriter, Record Producer, Author
"Motown was the soundtrack of a generation and more than anyone else, Mickey Stevenson was responsible for creating its iconic sound, timeless hits, and beloved superstars. As Berry Gordy said, “Mickey was a street cat, a wheeler-dealer, but I knew it was that same quality that made him the superstar A&R man he was. It was really with Mickey that I began something that was unique to my management style: building the structure around the person rather than fitting the person into the structure.” In addition to his A&R duties, Stevenson wrote and produced many hit records for Motown, some with co-writer and producer Ivy Jo Hunter. They included his biggest success, “Dancing in the Street,” which he co-wrote with Hunter and Marvin Gaye; “It Takes Two” (with Gaye and Kim Weston [Stevenson’s former wife]); “Ask the Lonely” for the Four Tops; Jimmy Ruffin’s “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted”; Martha & The Vandellas’ “My Baby Loves Me”; “Uptight (Everything’s Alright)” for Stevie Wonder, and Gaye’s “Stubborn Kind of Fellow.” He also wrote “Devil with the Blue Dress On” in 1964 with Shorty Long, which became a hit for Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels in 1966.
And, he organized and established Motown’s in-house band, now famously known as The Funk Brothers.
Stevenson’s contribution to the fabric of American music and culture are showcased in his book, William “Mickey” Stevenson, Motown’s First A&R Man Presents: The A&R Man, and a feature film, MickeyStevenson The Man, The Myth, The Legend, The A&R Man that brings jaw-dropping events and his unique larger-than-life story to the screen."
California Copyright Conference website
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"Mickey is one of the people that God gave the gift, to make you do your best, with the gifts God has given you!!" - Mary Wilson
"William Mickey Stevenson possesses the Midas touch, creating, producing and writing memorable hits that reflect music today. As Chairman of Stevenson International he continues to keep it exciting, edgy, innovative and fresh when seeking out new talent, producing and writing hit plays." - Article Review
"During the glory years of Motown, Mickey Stevenson, was a powerful presence around the halls of the legendary Detroit-based record label, where only Berry Gordy himself wielded more power over Motown's creative output. Berry played a hunch and hired Mickey Stevenson as his first A&R (Artist and Repertoire) director, even before the job had been properly defined. From that point on, Mickey's familiar imprimatur appeared on a mass of Motown smashes as writer, producer, or both. Mickey Stevenson’s search for talent was relentless. He wasn’t content with just building the house band, “The Funk Brothers,” he had and innate ability to seek out gifted, talented artists, writers, and producers which he helped to develop into superstars. Mickey's responsibilities as A&R man included such artists as Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight, The Four Tops, and Martha Reeves and the Vandellas to name a few." - Article Review
America’s First A&R Man, Detroit’s Mickey Stevenson, Leads 2022 Songwriters Hall of Fame Honorees
"On June 16th, 2022, Detroit’s great Mickey Stevenson, known as America’s First A&R; Man (and a skillful songwriter as well), will be honored by the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame at the 51st Annual Induction and Awards Gala at the Marriott Marquis in the heart of Time Square in New York City. Additionally, A List honorees who will join Mickey include Mariah Carey, Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart of The Eurythmics, The Isley Brothers, Steve Miller and Paul Williams, to name drop just a few. Not too shabby.
Mickey cut his teeth with Motown’s legendary Berry Gordy and has been the secret to the success of so many legendary artists, such as The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Martha and the Vandellas, Stevie Wonder and many more.
As songwriting goes, he put pen to paper on such great hits as Dancing In The Street, It Takes Two, What Becomes of The Broken Hearted, My Baby Loves Me, and the iconic, Devil With The Blue Dress On, and he’s
not done yet. He’s written a book, titled, The A&R Man and a new song titled, I Can’t Breathe, introduced by Whoopie Goldberg on Juneteenth on The View and performed by the great Dietrich Haddon.
AND he’s working on two stage musicals (possibly Broadway bound) that are already catching the attention of the theater world: The Azusa Revival, which unmasks the story behind the inception and exponential growth of today - 500 million strong - Pentecostal movement
But it’s Sang Sister Sang that’s turning heads. A dazzling musical that allows audiences to see how eight legendary women of color -- Bessie Smith, Billy Holiday, Dinah Washington, Dorothy Dandridge, Josephine Baker, Mahalia Jackson, Eartha Kitt and Lena Horne -- stood out, fought the system, and became spectacular music icons! Already investors are knocking down Stevenson’s door offering millions.
Most people Mickey Stevenson’s age have long retired. Not this music icon. Married to a beautiful woman half his age could be one of the contributing factors. Or better yet, maybe the man just loves what he does, and being a musical genius at it sure helps!
Even other legends can’t hold back talking about this great man and his incredible 85 year journey. " - Article Review