Robert Gordy Obituary

Robert Gordy, better known by his stage name Bob Kayli, was an American music publishing executive and recording artist.

On July 15, 1931, Robert Gordy was born in Detroit, Michigan. He briefly had a recording career and had a minor hit as Bob Kayli with the novelty song “Everyone Was There,” which he co-wrote with his brother Berry and leased to the Carlton label.

He was the son of Berry Gordy Sr. and Bertha Fuller, the younger brother of Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr., and the uncle of singer/rapper Redfoo.

Mr Gordy ran the Jobete Music Publishing company, which was a Motown Records music publishing affiliate.

According to the release, under his leadership, Jobete Music evolved from a holder of song copyrights to a “highly profitable international publishing company.”

Mr Gordy also acted, and in his first role in 1972 he played the drug pusher “Hawk” in the movie “Lady Sings The Blues.”

Robert Gordy died of natural causes on Friday, October 21, 2022, at his home in Marina del Rey, California at the age of 91.