NEW YORK -- Motown founder Berry Gordy recalls that when he signed The Jackson 5, he sent them to live in a house in California. The rowdy kids ended up getting kicked out and had to move in with him.

On Monday, at a tribute to Gordy at the Ebony Power 100 gala in New York City, Marlon Jackson thanked him for "letting us come to your house and tear it up," as well as for putting them on the path to a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame career. The Jacksons performed their hits for Gordy after he received a lifetime achievement award.

The event, hosted by Nick Cannon, honoured blacks with considerable power such as President Barack Obama, Forest Whitaker, commentator Van Jones, educator Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Serena Williams.