On this day in music history: March 3, 1984 - “Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell hits #1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart for 5 weeks, also peaking at #2 on the Hot 100 on March 24, 1984. Written by Rockwell, it is the debut single and biggest hit for the singer, songwriter and musician from Detroit, MI. Born Kennedy William Gordy in 1964, he is the son of Motown Records founder and chairman Berry Gordy, Jr.. Interested in music from childhood, Kennedy begins writing songs in high school. Recording demos on a four track recorder, he goes to Motown’s publishing company Jobete Music to see if he can attract any interest in his songs. Initially, he is given the brush off until attending one of the company’s staff meetings. There Gordy meets producer Curtis Anthony Nolen, the son of legendary James Brown rhythm guitarist Jimmy “Chank” Nolen". The producer hears a rough version of “Somebody’s Watching Me” and hears its hit potential immediately. Securing some financing from Motown, the go into a professional recording studio and cut the track. Realizing that the song needs something more, Gordy calls his childhood friend Michael Jackson to sing the songs chorus, who agrees to do it. Jackson misses the initially scheduled recording session when he forgets, having gone to Disneyland with fellow former teen idol Donny Osmond instead. It takes a little over an hour for Michael to add his vocals to the songs chorus, it is complete. They take it to Kennedy’s father, Motown founder Berry Gordy, Jr. to let him hear it. Playing it for a group of guests he’s entertaining including actor Chuck Connors, their enthusiastic reaction affirms that they have a hit on their hands. Before the record is released, Motown renames the singer “Rockwell”, a contraction of “rocks well” when someone at the label coins the phrase “he rocks well”. With Michael Jackson at the zenith of his fame off the massive pop cultural phenomenon of “Thriller”, “Somebody’s Watching Me” is swept up in the hot white glow of that success after it’s released as a single in December of 1983. It holds down the top spot on the R&B chart for over a month, then spends three weeks at number two on the Hot 100 behind Van Halen’s “Jump” and Kenny Loggins’ “Footloose” during March and April of 1984. “Somebody’s Watching Me” is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.
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