Beginning in 1964, the Supremes had 10 No. That trio guided the Supremes and Four Tops to stardom. Robinson soon grabbed the reins for the Temptations and produced a string of hits for them including “My Girl.” His brilliance was eventually matched by the team of Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland. 2,” and his album The 12 Year Old Genius became Motown’s first No. In 1961, Motown signed a blind 11-year-old singer and multi-instrumentalist two years later Stevie Wonder had his first hit, “Fingertips Pt. Postman”), Martha and the Vandellas, Marvin Gaye and Mary Wells began providing Motown with consistent hits, many written and produced by Robinson, while other acts, the Temptations and the Supremes among them, learned their craft. 2 on the Pop chart. With a roster of young artists drawn largely from Detroit’s poor and working class neighborhoods, the Miracles, the Marvelettes (who had Motown’s first Pop No. A studio was constructed in the converted garage of 2648 in which Motown recorded scores of smash hits, including the Miracles’ “Shop Around” in 1960, on which Gordy himself played piano. Motown would be headquartered there for the next decade, absorbing adjoining buildings on both sides of the street. Gordy co-wrote “Money” and that’s what he got-enough to purchase a white frame house at 2648 West Grand Boulevard, where he boldly hung a sign “Hitsville USA” over the front door. Motown kicked off with the Tamla label, leasing Marv Johnson’s “Come To Me” to UA Barrett Strong, who cut “Money (That’s What I Want),” had the company’s first national hit. Their partnership formed the basis of Motown-a name derived from a folksy version of Detroit’s nickname, “the Motor City”-with Robinson becoming a prolific and highly inventive composer for the Miracles and other acts Gordy brought into his orbit. A chance meeting in 1958 with an aspiring local singing group, the Miracles, led to his teaching songwriting to the quintet’s leader, William “Smokey” Robinson.
Calling itself “The Sound Of Young America,” the instantly recognizable and often-imitated Motown Sound blended distinctively passionate singers, the call and response vocal arrangements of the African-American church tradition, pop music sensibilities, jazz virtuosity and irresistible rhythms, overlaying them with timeless songwriting. Prior to founding Motown, Gordy had attempted other professions, including boxer, record store owner and auto worker before finding success as a songwriter, particularly with the dynamic singer Jackie Wilson. Just as Jackie Robinson’s integration of major league baseball had far wider implications, the embrace of Motown’s artists and recordings by the entire listening audience helped hurdle overt racial barriers that had plagued the country since its inception. In its classic era, the seminal music scene of the 1960s, Motown’s artists were among the most popular, establishing a standard of excellence and sophistication that has never been surpassed. As the most successful African-American owned and operated record company- and business-in the U.S., it symbolized a new day: its energetic product reflected the striving toward progress and optimism of a long-oppressed people and the nation as a whole.
Within a few years, this Detroit-based outfit was selling more singles and releasing more hits than any other record company. Beyond the formidable music and sales figures, Motown itself became a cultural icon. established Motown Records in January 1959. Here’s THE STORY OF MOTOWN RECORDS : With an $800 loan from his family, Berry Gordy Jr. During MOTOWN 25TH Anniversary show,Sir Richard of Pryor skillfully gives the world its history like no other can.
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