Classic Motown

1
Classic Motown

• 1959 - 1988

2
1957

• Detroit Song writer Berry Gordy hits the pop
  charts for the first time.
• Gordy will eventually become the founder of
  Motown Records.

3
1959

• Encouraged by his first top 10 hit as a
  songwriter, Berry Gordy decides to launch the
  Tamla Record Company.
• Gordy started Tamla with an 800 family loan.
• Gordy changed the name a year later to Motown
  Records

4
1960

• Motown settles into its first headquarters, a two
  story, single roofed house in Detroit.
• Out front, Gordy puts up a Hitsville, USA sign.
• The basement of the house was turned into a
  recording studio.

5
1960
6
1961

• Motown receives its first number 1 hit on the RB
  charts. Shop Around by the Miracles
• The song would hit number 2 on the pop charts.
• Later that year, Gordy signs the Supremes, Stevie
  Wonder, and the Temptations.

7
1961

• Also in 61, Marvin Gaye would release his first
  album for Motown called The Soulful Moods of
  Marvin Gaye
• Motown would also get its first number 1 hit on
  the pop charts Please Mr. Postman by the
  Marvelettes

8
1962

• 3 of the top songwriters of the time, Brian
  Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Eddie Holland are
  hired at Motown.
• These three would create the HDH Songwriting and
  Production Team

9
1962

• The Motown Special was the first televised
  multi-artist concert.
• The concert featured The Miracles, Mary Wells,
  The Marvelettes, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, and
  was hosted my comedian Bill Murry.

10
1963

• Little Stevie Wonder the 12 Year Old Genius
  becomes Motowns first number 1 pop album.
• Wonder grows up to be a rock and roll legend.
  Blinded during birth, he learned to play the
  piano when he was 5.

11
Listening No. 6

• Title Superstition
• Composer/Artist Stevie Wonder
• Genre RB
• Period 20th Century (1972)

12
1964

• The Supremes You Cant Hurry Love becomes a
  number 1 hit for Motown.
• The Supremes become the first female group to
  have two number 1 hits,
• Diana Ross (lead singer) is the highest paid
  female entertainer of the time.

13
Listening No. 7

• Title You Cant Hurry Love
• Composer Brian Holland
• Artist Diana Ross and the Supremes
• Genre RB
• Period 20th Century (1963)

14
1965

• The temptations have their first number 1 hit for
  Motown.
• My Girl reaches the top of the pop and RB
  charts.
• Both songs were written by fellow Motown artist
  Smokey Robinson.

15
Listening No. 8

• Title My Girl
• Composer Smokey Robinson
• Artist The Temptations
• Genre Rock and Roll
• Period 20th Century (1965)

16
1967

• Gladys Knight and the Pips release the original
  version of I Heard it through the Grape Vine
• The song was originally intended for Marvin Gaye
  who came out with a darker version a year later.
  Gayes version would become the most sold single
  in Motown history.

17
Listening No. 8

• Title I Heard it through the Grapevine
• Composers The Funk Brothers
• Artist Marvin Gaye
• Genre Soul
• Period 20th Century (1966)

18
1970

• Barry Gordon signs a young black singing group
  called the Jackson 5.
• The Jackson 5 would become a teen sensation and
  would also hit number 1 on the pop charts in 1970
  with I Want You Back

19
Listening No. 9

• Title I Want you Back
• Composer HDH
• Artists Jackson 5
• Genre Soul/RB
• Period 20th Century (1969)

20
1971

• Michael Jackson releases his first solo song.
• The song is called Got to be there
• The 13 year old is an immediate hit and
  eventually is considered the king of pop

21
1972

• Barry Gordy signs a new group to Motown records
  called the Commodores
• The Commodores lead singer is Lionel Riche who
  will eventually have a successful solo career.

22
1984

• Motown legend Marvin Gaye dies April 1st.
• Gayes father shot him after an intense financial
  argument.
• Gaye was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of
  Fame in 1992.

23
1988

• Barry Gordy sells Motown Records for 61 Million
  Dollars.
• That year Gordy is also inducted into the Rock
  and Roll Hall of Fame.
• Motown Record is the 2nd most profitable record
  label to date.