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Happy 50th Anniversary, Motown!
One of the truly great stories of the 20th Century was the rise and world domination of Motown Records. From its humble origins in a small house on Grand Boulevard in Detroit, the label founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. went on to become "The Sound of Young America" and the source of the most loved music of its era.
In a truly American story of success, a group of young, inner city African American men and women -- many still in their teens -- overcame their youth, the overt and covert racism of the times, payola scandals of the day and countless other obstacles to become international icons, still revered a half century after they broke through.
So as we celebrate the seminal Sound of Detroit and all that it has meant to three generations of music lovers, we take a look back at the artists who made it happen. Below are links to our profiles of some of the biggest artists of the Motown labels, including updates on where they are now. The profiles also include links to their greatest albums and videos of several performances. We hope you like it.
PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS BELOW ON WHAT THE MOTOWN SOUND HAS MEANT TO YOU!
Happy 50th, Motown!
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Posted January 19th, 2009 by chrisrComments
Thanks for putting up this
Smig - January 11th, 2009
Thanks for putting up this page. Man, growing up, Motown's music meant EVERYTHING to me. The Four Tops were my favorite, but the Temptations were close behind. And I was in love with Mary Wilson of the Supremes.
Until I saw this page I had forgotten a lot of the other singers who were on Motown.
Steve Singer It is hard to
steve singer - January 12th, 2009
Steve Singer
It is hard to believe that so many years have passed since the birth of the Motown Sound. I consider myself fortunate to have lived during the time that such great music was performed. It is a sound that is truly timeless. Thanks to all of these wonderful artists, writers and producers whose music has been in the hearts and minds of so many for so long. May the memories of those who have passed, live on forever and for those still with us, keep on keepin on!
With much appreciation and thanks for all of the wonderful memories.
Chris, I have been a
jlevine - January 12th, 2009
Chris,
I have been a SoulTracker for some time now. This is one of your best features yet...I am a product of Motown during the 70's and 80's...You did a great review of my 2006 CD Share My Love...I must tell you, you did your home work...You named just about every artist signed to Motown...There was another side of the Berry Gordy impire...Jobet and Stone Diamond Publishing Company...Mr.Gordy signed some of the most creative and talented writers and producers in the business at that time, I was one of them...I love the way you layed the story out...I only wish you would have talk a little about Berry's sister's, Gwen,Anna,Ester and his brothers Robert and Fuller. They played a very important roll in helping Berry build the greatest record company of all time...Thank you Chris for doing the Motown 50th story...May 2009 bring you happiness and continued success....
Jimmy Levine
CEO/President
Mo-Philly Music Group
What Motown means to me?
MikeJKing - January 12th, 2009
What Motown means to me? Where to start?
A starter for five:
I guess first off it means Diana Ross. First singer I ever noticed as a woman. I was about 15 at the time, a white kid living in a very middle class area in England. At that time I’d never seen a live black person! (1975)
Secondly, it means a feeling that I can't describe; its partly great music & artists but it’s more than that. I think it’s about something so good that no amount of racists could hold it back or stop white people recognising what black people could do. (not just the music but run successful business too.)
Thirdly, it’s about collecting (in England) singles (45s) with a label with a black background & the words Tamla Motown in silver. How I loved that label!
Fourthly it’s about the Temptations - surely the best group in the world. Ever. My wife & I have seen them 3 times in Birmingham, England, over the last 5 years - with Abdul Fakir all that's left from the original group - & each time they were fantastic! Love Ron Tyson & new boy Bruce Williamson!
Fifthly, it’s about Jnr. Walker, the Supremes & Marvin Gaye, not to mention Stevie Wonder, Martha Reeves etc etc.
tenscottie@yahoo.com I love
tenscottie - January 12th, 2009
tenscottie@yahoo.com
I love this , but where are Kim Weston and Brenda Holloway? ...whoops? And, for heavens sake...how could you not cover Mary Wells? lordhammercy!! :)
Nice Chris! Kudos. What a
JocelyneRed - January 12th, 2009
Nice Chris!
Kudos.
What a tremendous year 2009 will be for American history, indeed. How appropriate that such a force as Motown would celebrate its 50th the same year Barack Obama is elected President, wow.
Now if only we could get Detroiters to recognize this proud, proud heritage and OWN it! To carry on its legacy... to keep the torch burning... to feed and nurture those that are STILL pushing the envelope in music innovation on the WORLDSTAGE... and unknown to their very next-door neighbors.
Thank you for contributing to spreading the knowledge of this soul music.
Peace & Beats,
J
- Jocelyne Ninneman
jocelyne@fusicology.com
http://www.fusicology.com
...oh! and PS: where are
JocelyneRed - January 12th, 2009
...oh!
and PS: where are Erykah Badu & Anthony David in this list?!
You got Boyz II Men & India.Arie... don't forget the other contemporary Motown artists making HUGE waves! :)
- Jocelyne Ninneman
jocelyne@fusicology.com
http://www.fusicology.com
Good catch on Badu. We have
administrator - January 12th, 2009
Good catch on Badu. We have a page on her but forgot to add her to the list. We also have a page on Anthony David (www.soultracks.com/anthony_david.htm) but I don't think he's on Motown -- just Universal. Thanks!
jennifer Motown brought Soul
jennifer - January 13th, 2009
jennifer
Motown brought Soul Music to the wider world. Of course it would have got here eventually but the amazing vision of Berry Gordy Jnr hastened the process. There was great music being made at other labels, Stax, Atlantic, and later Philadelphia International etc. but without the unleashing of such soul brilliance en masse at a time in history when 'i'm black and i'm proud' was just beginning to ring out across America Berry created the vehicle (in the motor city) that would turn people from all nations on to black music. There is no simple answer to what Motown has meant to me, just that since the early 60's it has been the soundtrack of my life, Gladys, Diana, The Miracles, The Tops, Stevie, Syreeta, Marvin, Tammi, Kim, The Temps, Val & Nick, HDH, Gil Askey, The Funk Brothers, the list goes on ad infinitum. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to the songwriters, producers and artists. Though we are all getting older these brilliant musicians made magnificent sounds that will keep us young forever. Happy 50th Motown.
Contact - walkerjf63@hotmail.com
Happy 5oth Motown.... Lets
hx paul - January 13th, 2009
Happy 5oth Motown.... Lets see you go for the century next..
Every one has there favourite act, but during the Detroit era most of the artists owe the Funkbrothers a lot of credit,They are my heros of the label every one of them had shed louds of talent.
IF you are into the label check out Jack Ashfords book Motown a view from the bottom, Jack tells it how it was. a great read.
I've been a fan of the music
kernow - January 13th, 2009
I've been a fan of the music of Motown and all its associated labels since my early teens and I'm now 59 years of age. In August 2007 I visited Hitsville USA and fulfilled a lifelong dream to sit in the studio where all those wonderful tunes were created. I sat there all on my own without anybody else being around and I admit to having tears in eyes as I thanked The Lord for all that magical music. I've tried to pick a favourite track which is an impossible task, but I at the moment it has to be Baby Hit and Run by The Contours. Tomorrow I'm sure that this track will be replaced by another classic from the golden age of Motown.
PS I'm from the UK where, apparently, a large porportion of overseas visitors to Hitsville, USA come from.
PPS Finally, it will always be,(to me) The Supremes and not Diana Ross and The Supremes and Martha and The Vandellas, not Martha Reeves and the Vandellas.
Without Motown the world
dave field - January 13th, 2009
Without Motown the world would have been a poorer place. Along with The Beatles, artists such as Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Four Tops, Supremes & The Temptations have provided us all with such beautiful music that has been picked up and loved through five decades and I'm sure will continue for another 50 years and beyond.
As a mobile DJ I'm always getting asked for Motown by generations from their late teens to 70 and 80 year olds.
My own personal memory is being able to see the Four Tops and the great Edwin Starr on the same bill in Brighton here in the UK.
Keep up the great work Chris and co at Soul Tracks.
Happy New Year
DJ Dave
