By Gentle Jones

Lonely Teardrops, co-written by Berry Gordy and performed by Jackie Wilson, entered into the charts this week (December 1958), becoming a million seller for the Brunswick label.

The origins of the song begin on Ford’s assembly line, where Gordy conceived and wrote songs in his head to pass the time.

Gordy quit his job in 1957 and started writing songs with Roquel Billy Davis. The pair’s first success was with “All I Could Do Was Cry,” by Etta James.

Gordy linked with Jackie Wilson through his sister Gwen Gordy, who was connected into the black music scene at the time. (continue reading RareSoul.com)...