Jack Gibson (2)

AKA Jack “The Rapper” Gibson and "Jockey Jack," Jack Gibson (born, May 13, 1922 in Chicago, Illinois, died, January 30, 2000 in Las Vegas, Nevada) began his radio career at WJJD in Chicago in 1945. In October 1949 he became one of the original DJs at WERD. In the early 1960s, at WCIN in Cincinnati, Gibson's show featured new artists whom he sent to his good friend, Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records in Detroit. In 1962 Gibson went to work for Motown as the record label's first national director of promotions and public relations. At the start of the Miracles' 1963 hit recording of "Mickey's Monkey," Gibson shouts: "Hey Smokey!" also launching the singing careers of Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson In 1972 Gibson used his influence in the record industry to help secure an Academy Award nomination for best soundtrack for the movie "Shaft," which was written and performed by Isaac Hayes. The album won, making Hayes the first black artist to win an Oscar in the soundtrack category. In 1995 Gibson was featured in an exhibit of America's top DJs at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 1986 he received a Smithsonian Institute honour for his contributions to black radio -- now called urban radio -- and black music.