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Motown, named after Detroit, Michigan, is more than just a music genre; it represents a vital culture in popular music history. Established by Berry Gordy Jr. in the late 1950s, Motown became a powerful recording label that shaped the sound of numerous iconic artists, including The Supremes, Smokey Robinson, and Marvin Gaye. Known initially as "Hitsville, USA," it produced an array of chart-topping hits, helping to bring African American artists into the mainstream. The Motown sound and style have left an indelible mark on music and culture worldwide.
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Chapter 2 Section 2.4 Popular Music Cultures
Popular Music Cultures • Popular music can be so unique that it makes its own musical culture. • One example is the music of Motown.
Motown • Motown is a nickname for Detroit, Michigan.
History of Motown • Motown was there at the turn of the twentieth century that Henry Ford founded the automotive industry. • Motown is the name of one of most successful and influential music recording and publishing companies in the world. • Located in Detroit, it was at one time the largest business in the U.S. owned by an African American.
History of Motown • The story of Motown is really the story of songwriter and music producer Berry Gordy Jr. • Gordy borrowed $800 from his family in the late 1950s to start a record company. • Gordy rented a house at 2648 West Grand Boulevard in Detroit. • This place came to be known as Hitsville, USA.
History of Motown • In 1960, Gordy produced his first hit, “Money,” and the search for new artists began. • They auditioned a local female group called the Primettes. • They had not yet finished school so Gordy told them to come back after graduation. • They did and signed in January 1961. • Later they released their first song, as the Supremes.
Bell Ringer 9/17/12 • Who started Motown?
History of Motown • Gordy built Motown into a powerful creative and economic force. • Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, the Temptations, and Marvin Gaye were among the early Motown stars.
History of Motown • In 1970, Motown moved to Los Angeles. • In 1988, Gordy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. • The same year, he sold Motown to MCA Records and Boston Ventures for $61 Million.
History of Motown • Motown established a “sound” and style of dress and performance that remains easily identifiable. • It also helped propel African American artists into the popular music mainstream.
Berry Gordy, Jr. • Born in 1929 in Detroit • After serving in Korea, went back to Detroit to work at the Ford-Lincoln Mercury Plant • 1957 He quit his job to pursue a long-standing dream of becoming a professional songwriter • A local nightclub owner heard some of his music and hired him to write for some artists. • This includes Jackie Wilson and Billy Davis. • He is not merely the founder of a record empire, he transformed the world of popular music forever.
Welcome to “Hitsville, USA” • Nearly 75 percent of the singles released on Motown Records became hits. • Gordy was famous for asking, “Let’s say you’ve got a dollar and you’re hungry. Would you buy a sandwich or would you buy a record?” • If the people of their meetings would have went for a sandwich, then the records would have not been released.
Recording • Now listen to Dancing in the Streets • Made popular by Martha (Reaves) and the Vandellas in 1965 • Why would this song be preferred over a sandwich? • Can you name the cities mentioned? - Hint: 8 are named, 4 on the East Coast
Original Tunes and Covers • You may have heard the term “cover.” • This refers to one musician playing or recording a song made famous by another artist. • “Covering” the work of another artist is often a tribute to the artist. • It always reveals a great level of respect and admiration for the song itself.
Recordings • Listen to malachi is awesome “I heard it through the grapevine” • Which one out of the two is the cover and which is the original? • Listen to “Do you Love me?” • Try to hear the bass notes
