Motown Music
The Motown Sound can be technically defined: horns (a lot of them), tambourines to reinforce the back beat, melodic electric bass guitar lines, harmonious chord arrangements, and a "callAmerican artists who would be able to achieve "crossover success;" they would reach popularity in both Black and White worlds.
Motown Roots
The word 'Motown' comes from the company's initial location in Detroit, MI - 'motor' and 'town.' Motown Records is actually Gordy's second label. Tamla Records was Gordy's first creation until it merged with Motown Records, with a studio was Hitsville U.S.A. Its first record release was The Miracles' "Bad Girl," and its first #1 top hit came out in 1964 through "My Guy" by Mary Wells, the first artist signed under Motown Records. During it's heyday, Motown produced a catalog of hits that surpassed all competition. Throughout the '60s, Motown had about 110 Top 10 Billboard hits. Along with Gordy and all the talented artists, Motown could not have survived nor reached such an incredible success without its trio of songwriters: Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Norman Whitfield. The record company moved to Los Angeles, CA in 1972 where Gordy became more involved with movie production.The company remained an independent label until Gordy sold it to MCA (1988), Boston Ventures, (1991) and Polygram (1994).
Motown Today
The move west made Motown lose an important group of artists. The relocation had to do with a change of focus away from music and towards motion picture. Motown made its debut in cinema with Billie Holliday's biographical film
Erykah Badu to its catalogue. Today, Stevie Wonder is the only artist from Motown's heyday still signed by the label. In 2005, Motown merged with Universal Records to create Universal Motown. Artists under the label today are mainly known was R&B or pop artists.
Famous Motown Artists
Motown Quick Picks
Related Guides
*
Jazz Music
*
Drums and Percussion
*
Electric Bass Guitars
*
Electric Guitars
*
Horns
*
Pop Music
