In the early days, Gwen wrote songs with her [[then) boyfriend Roquel Billy Davis. Gwen and Billy formed Anna Records [[named after Anna Gordy, a limited partner).
The label was distributed by Chess and initially, everything was fine. When Berry produced "Money," by Barrett Strong, it was released locally on Tamla but he struck a deal with Gwen and Billy for national distribution on their label & it went on to become Anna's biggest ever selling record. Problems however developed between Gwen and Billy as Davis was on the road a lot promoting Anna recordings. In his absence Gwen struck up a relationship with Harvey Fuqua [[who Chess had sent to Detroit to help out at Anna). Harvey & Gwen fell in love,
prompting Davis to leave to form Checkmate Records [[also Chess distributed). Gwen and Harvey forged on at Anna but Harvey had broken with Etta James to marry Gwen & this caused some friction with Chess. Davis moved to Chicago to become an A&R Director for Chess.
Of course, Glenn in the Gwen Glenn set-up has to be Glenn Gordy, Gwen’s son.
Attachment 1901
Gwen [[middle) with Anna [[Gaye) and Joyce Fuller.
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