It wouldn’t be Motown’s 60th Anniversary without visiting their premiere singer, songwriter and producer. As legend goes, Smokey Robinson met Berry Gordy with a notebook of songs, of which maybe one or two Gordy considered viable, yet he was impressed with the teenager’s moxie. So goes the template of who Gordy accepted into the fold,…
Tag: Motown
The Sound Of Young America As A Senior Citizen: Motown Records at 60
On January 12, 1959, some 60 years ago today, Motown Records was founded. In reality, it wasn’t founded as Motown at all. The original name was Tamla Records. The Motortown-punning, Detroit proud referencing Motown label didn’t press until 1960. The Tamla Records pointed to one of the main reasons we ended up with Motown Records…
Forgotten Pearls, Unpanned Gold: Even More Motown Lady Tunes
They say Atlantic Records was The House That Ruth (Brown) Built. We never ever really give credit to the women who built an empire for Berry Gordy in the conjoined houses at 2648 West Grand Boulevard in Detroit. He Started with the business savvy of his sisters Anna, Gwen, Loucye and Esther. Early signings like Claudette…
Just Like The Ditty From The Motor City: Motown Femme Soul Soundalikes 1963-1969
Another way to measure the scope of influence accountable to the music produced by Motown Records in the 1960’s is to pay attention to how often its various forms were imitated. Motown itself feed on itself, developing so many styles to craft different personae for different artists. Realistically, there’s no singular “Motown Sound.” Decidedly diverse…
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles “Can You Love A Poor Boy?” (From the LP Away We Go-Go, 1966)
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles “Can You Love A Poor Boy?” (From the LP Away We Go-Go, 1966) There’s no other way to address Smokey Robinson other than as the first gem in the Motown Crown. The Pisces Poet and Prophet of the Motown sound turns a rather youthful 76 years old today. In 60+…
Kim Weston “A Little More Love” (Tamla 54106, 1964)
Kim Weston “A Little More Love” (Tamla 54106, 1964) It’s rare that I say I have a favorite anything. Fickle Gemini and all. But I do, about 75% of the time say I do have a favorite singer, and that’s none other than Kim Weston. Born 76 years ago today as Agatha Nathalia Weston in…
The Temptations (With The Supremes) “Not Now, I’ll Tell You Later” (From the LP Get Ready, 1966)
The Temptations (With The Supremes) “Not Now, I’ll Tell You Later” (From the LP Get Ready, 1966) Whoops. Well, yesterday was Eddie Kendrick’s 76th Birthday. The gossamer falsetto that lead The Temptations rocketing into the American Consciousness at the beginning of 1964 was born December 17th, 1939. Although his legacy eventually got eclipsed by groupmate…
The Marvelettes “Now Is The Time For Love” (From the LP In Full Bloom, 1969)
The Marvelettes “Now Is The Time For Love” (From the LP In Full Bloom, 1969) Our next leading Lady Leo is one of the Motown pioneers. As the eldest member of The Marvelettes when they arrived at Motown in 1961, Wanda Young stood alongside Gladys Horton as the other lead singer in The Marvelettes. Over…
The Temptations “Who You Gonna Run To?” (From the LP Gettin’ Ready, 1966)
The Temptations “Who You Gonna Run To?” (From the LP Gettin’ Ready, 1966) I guess I should be ashamed of myself that it’s been so many months I’ve been doing posts and I haven’t tempted y’all with some more Temptations yet. Also, I totally breezed by in a cold medicine stupor that it was the original…
The Four Tops “Is There Anything That I Can Do?” (From the LP The Four Tops Second Album, 1965)
The Four Tops “Is There Anything That I Can Do?” (From the LP The Four Tops Second Album, 1965) I don’t have to tell you that Gemini Roll Call rolls mighty with talent, but today we’re celebrating one of the giants of Classic Motown. With towering vocal power and devastating ferocity, Levi Stubbs gave us…
DJ Larsupreme 