Rockwell, whose real name is Kennedy William Gordy, is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He was born on March 15, 1964, in Detroit, Michigan, USA.
Rockwell is the son of Motown Records founder Berry Gordy and Margaret Norton. He grew up in a musical family and was exposed to the music industry from a young age. Rockwell’s music career began in the early 1980s when he signed with Motown Records.
His most successful single, “Somebody’s Watching Me,” was released in 1984 and became an instant hit, reaching the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song features Michael Jackson singing the chorus and backing vocals, and it remains Rockwell’s most popular and recognizable song.
“Somebody’s Watching Me” was released in 1984. The song has a distinctive, spooky sound, with a thumping bassline, synthesizers, and Rockwell’s falsetto vocals. The lyrics describe the feeling of being watched and followed, both physically and metaphorically. The song’s music video also plays up the paranoid theme, with Rockwell being stalked and chased by a variety of spooky characters.
The song was a commercial success, reaching #2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and #1 on the US Billboard R&B chart. It also charted in several other countries, including the UK, Canada, and Australia.
“Somebody’s Watching Me” has remained a popular song in pop culture and has been covered and sampled by various artists over the years. The song’s spooky sound and catchy chorus have made it a Halloween staple, and it has been featured in movies, TV shows, and commercials and even reentered the UK Charts in 2021.
Rockwell released several other singles and albums throughout the 1980s and 1990s, but he never achieved the same level of success as he did with “Somebody’s Watching Me.” He continued to perform and record music, and he also worked as a producer and songwriter for other artists.
Rockwell has kept a relatively low profile in the music industry in recent years. However, he has still been active in music and has continued to perform and release new music.
In 2010, Rockwell released a single titled “The Wall,” which features a sample from his hit song “Somebody’s Watching Me.” He also collaborated with DJ and producer DJ Zinc on the song “Killin’ It,” which was released in 2011.
In addition to his music career, Rockwell has also been involved in various charitable organizations over the years. He has supported organizations such as the Special Olympics, the American Cancer Society, and the United Negro College Fund.
Overall, Rockwell is known as a one-hit wonder for “Somebody’s Watching Me,” but his contribution to the music industry as a singer, songwriter, and producer should not be overlooked.