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 R&B 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 Motown’s 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: R&B 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 Can’t Hurry Love Composer: Brian Holland Artist: Diana Ross and the Supremes Genre: R&B 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 R&B 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. Gaye’s 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/R&B 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. • Gaye’s 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.