Stevie Wonder sings one of his songs at the Motown 50 Golden Gala in Detroit on Saturday. (Jerry S. Mendoza/Associated Press)

Music legends Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin and The Temptations, the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. and Motown Records founder Berry Gordy turned out at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center on Saturday evening for the swankiest birthday bash in Motor City this year — the Motown 50 Golden Gala.

About 750 fans paid up to $2,500 for seats in the Marriott ballroom where they watched Motown conjure its magic.

Wonder took the stage for hits such as My Cherie Amour and Isn't She Lovely. He was joined by Kid Rock in Superstition and Living for the City.

Rock said it was a "career milestone" to perform with Wonder.

Franklin paid tribute to Gordy for half a century of chart-topping hits. "You've taught the world on both sides of the ocean about a new way to love and dream," she said.

U.S. President Barack Obama sent a videotaped message, speaking of the impact Motown has had on the entire nation in its 50 years. "I'd like to thank everyone, from the background singers to the secretaries, for helping to make this truly American art form possible," Obama said.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will go to the Motown Historical Museum.

But the Detroit Free Press noted on Sunday that many Detroit residents were disappointed by the absence of a big, public 50th-anniversary celebration.

"In this economic climate, it's easy to understand any reluctance by civic officials and concert promoters to hatch that sort of massive endeavor," the newspaper said. "But they're not the only ones who could have kick-started such an event … a handful of phone calls by Gordy could have done the trick."