Detroit honors Motown's 50th anniversary

DETROIT, Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Record producer Berry Gordy said at a Detroit gala in honor of the 50th anniversary of Motown his record label was full of "love and competition."

The Detroit News said Saturday's celebration at the Marriott hotel in downtown Detroit drew singers like Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin, while U.S. President Barack Obama offered a salute to Motown in a video tribute.

"Motown was about love and competition," Gordy, 79, said. "Sometime the competition overcame the love and it was hard, but... we can't not love each other."

Also on hand for Motown 50 Golden Gala were the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., Detroit Mayor Dave Bing and U.S. Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich.

The Detroit Free Press said while Obama was not among the nearly 750 people at Saturday's event, the president did speak about the impact Motown had on the United States.

"Today as you celebrate I'd like to thank everyone, from the background singers to the secretaries, for helping to make this truly American art form possible," Obama said in a video statement.