Motown Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group. It was originally founded by Berry Gordy Jr. as Tamla Records on January 12, 1959,[1][2] and was incorporated as Motown Record Corporation on April 14, 1960.[3] Its name, a portmanteau of motor and town, has become a nickname for Detroit, where the label was originally headquartered.

Motown played an important role in the racial integration of popular music as an African American-owned label that achieved significant crossover success. In the 1960s, Motown and its subsidiary labels (including Tamla Motown, the brand used outside the US) were the most successful proponents of what came to be known as the Motown Sound, a style of soul music with a distinct pop influence. During the 1960s, Motown achieved spectacular success for a small label: 79 records in the top-ten of the Billboard Hot 100 between 1960 and 1969. Following the events of the Detroit Riots of 1967 and the loss of key songwriting/production team Holland-Dozier-Holland the same year over pay disputes, Gordy began relocating Motown to Los Angeles, California. [WIKI]

Plenty of music people on here, if you like Motown what are your favourites?

It all started with this one..

Barrett Strong - 'Money (That's What I Want]'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5KU34DrrPI" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Four Tops - Reach Out (I'll Be There) (1967)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EaflX0MWRo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Levi Stubbs...much missed.

25 miles by Edwin Starr great song....uptight by stevie wonder along with Martha reeves and the vandellas...dancing in the streets happy days! Smokey Robinson ..etc Sure these were on tamla Motown

I was just about to go to bloomin' bed...

This one got me in love with the Tamla Motown sound
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYIGZrwlTZc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


This group of ladies should have been as big as the supremes but I suppose there was only room for one girl supergroup.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGKsZFWYGwk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you're into Motown you just can't pick a favourite or favourites.

The lot are special.

Seeing my Mum dancing around the living room to Motown is one of my best memories.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABbc-O_3_Ac" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Bin Ont Turf wrote:If you're into Motown you just can't pick a favourite or favourites.

The lot are special.

Seeing my Mum dancing around the living room to Motown is one of my best memories.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABbc-O_3_Ac" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

One of my earliest memories of Tamla/Motown music was probably Marvin Gaye’s “Stubborn Kind of Fellow’, circa 1963. That probably cemented my lifelong love of R and B, soul, jazz and blues.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQXdxFCgmkk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Motown Chartbusters albums were very sought after in the late 60's and 70's.
The latest version was always eagerly anticipated prior to their release.

Two people who both went too early, in tragic and very different circumstances.

TT collapsed on stage in 1967 and after many operations she died of a brain tumour when she was 24.
Marvin Gaye was shot dead by his father in 1984.

Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell - 'You're all I need to get by' [1968..a very good year]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96XHQ_yKigY" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Brilliant music. I grew up with it. Keep them coming.

We were discussing this in the 110 pre match yesterday. Apparently Mowtown only had 3 number 1 hits IN THE UK in the Sixties. Can you name them? Havent Googled so cant vouch for the veracity of this! But the questioner has impeccable credentials

Mondsley..good morning.

I haven't looked anything up but I would say definitely the Supremes [Baby Love]..maybe another one for them..?

Four Tops - Reach out I'll be there.

Definitely not the Isley Brothers, the Temptations, Martha Reeves, Gladys Knight, Stevie W, The Marvellettes

Just thought of a very obvious one..The Jackson Five - 'I want you back' [1969 I think]..definitely.

R Dean Taylor was on Motown for a while, think he had a number one single back then [Ghost in my house] but I don't think that was in the sixties.

Maybe Smokey Robinson/Miracles had one....tears of a clown, tracks of my tears..?

This is a gem and my favourite by Marvin G...a rare live version of 'Ain't that peculiar'.

From 1965 and it still sounds fresh.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP0Loe6tVB0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Good Morning Hampstead. You've got 2 of the 3 with the Supremes and 4 Tops. Some of your other suggestions were mooted and vigorously argued for but our question master was insistent there was only one other. None of the songs you've mentioned but you have named the artist!

Brilliant tunes. Impossible to name one but I'll continue the Marvin Gaye theme - Little Darlin.

Surely, Heard it through the grapevine MG has be close

Marvin Gaye and Tammie Terrell just oozed class and mutual admiration and love when they sang together. An incredible duo so tragically brought to a premature end with her untimely death at such a young age. I believe it's been said on many occasions that Marvin Gaye never really got over her death. As for choosing favourites from the Motown label I just can't make my mind up because there are so many. I've always said that I don't think either The Supremes or The Four released a poor single but that's too easily dismissing all of the others. So, I'll just return to my original point and choose perhaps one of the happiest songs ever from Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, 'Two Can Have A Party'

claretgimmer wrote:Surely, Heard it through the grapevine MG has be close

And that was the 3rd!

My first love. Long before I'd heard of Northern Soul, Motown use to carry me away.
I loved all the early music, but still regret when they went into funk and disco. It just wasn't the same after that.

I'm going to spend and hour later going through all the links on this thread. Cheers

hampsteadclaret wrote:Mondsley..good morning.

I haven't looked anything up but I would say definitely the Supremes [Baby Love]..maybe another one for them..?

Four Tops - Reach out I'll be there.

Definitely not the Isley Brothers, the Temptations, Martha Reeves, Gladys Knight, Stevie W, The Marvellettes

Just thought of a very obvious one..The Jackson Five - 'I want you back' [1969 I think]..definitely.

R Dean Taylor was on Motown for a while, think he had a number one single back then [Ghost in my house] but I don't think that was in the sixties.

Maybe Smokey Robinson/Miracles had one....tears of a clown, tracks of my tears..?

The Supremes 'Baby Love' incredibly was their only No1 in the UK. Not their best by any means in their long catalogue of hits but a follow up to their breakthrough single 'Where Did Our Live Go'.

Some great tributes here, everyone. Just the tip off the iceberg - could name thousands of tunes.

Check out the dance moves on these lads.

Four Tops - It's The Same Old Song (1966)..a big favourite down the Cat's Whiskers and the Rose Room back then.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uS2nWLz-AbE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Holland-Dozier-Holland [there were other writers] made a lot of this stuff possible, along with the amazing Funk Brothers playing all the instruments

Saw Martha Reeves and the Vandellas last month in Manchester and it was an absolute priveledge.

Martha is 77 and treated the audience to all the classics with 2 of her sisters on backing vocals as well.

Marvin Gaye was for me the king of Motown...
"Loved Starved Heart"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoIVjdZ ... ex=40&t=0s" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The original "It Takes Two" with the wonderful Kim Weston
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cB5sCP6s120" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Kim Weston "You Can do It"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlVV_75-ddw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Went to see the Motown Tour in March 1965 at Manchester Odeon, along with my best mate at the time and my cousin. We were very much into American music but had only heard a very limited amount of Motown.
The show played out to a hall which was only about 2/3 full but what a night it was. We were converted to Motown music to back up our love of Atlantic Soul and our vinyl collections expanded very quickly.
I still love listening to Motown and have no favourites but the two most played are Heard It Through the Grapevine and Superstition.

I consider myself very lucky to have been a musician and able to play the wonderful bass lines on many gigs but nothing can match listening to the originals!

If you want to dance it has to be The Elgins " Heaven Must Have Sent You". But if you want to give your ears a treat please listen to The Four Tops "Ask The Lonely". Levi Stubbs at his best.

The Isley Brothers were a big part of the Motown output..not many of them left now.

Isley Brothers & Funk Brothers - "Tell Me It's Just a Rumour" 1967.

Ronald Isley is singing the lead vocals.
The Isleys were at Motown between 1966 and 1969 - they left because they felt they were less well treated than the Temptations and on the Four Tops.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWWCLjZXNiE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

redwasp wrote:If you want to dance it has to be The Elgins " Heaven Must Have Sent You". But if you want to give your ears a treat please listen to The Four Tops "Ask The Lonely". Levi Stubbs at his best.

I have to agree redwasp ---Ask The Lonely is a real gem.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-P95D-7HIk

'The Supremes - 'Love Is Here And Now You're Gone'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4z2iubQPgo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


- as someone says..'The Original Supremes, The Funk Brothers AND The Detroit Symphony....First Class!'

Mondsley wrote:Good Morning Hampstead. You've got 2 of the 3 with the Supremes and 4 Tops. Some of your other suggestions were mooted and vigorously argued for but our question master was insistent there was only one other. None of the songs you've mentioned but you have named the artist!

Come on Hampstead..I know it

Dazzler wrote:Come on Hampstead..I know it

See posts 16 and 18 --we all know it!

Ashingtonclaret46 wrote:See posts 16 and 18 --we all know it!

ahhh...missed that
cheers

Hello..well I did get it, but by then it had already been mentioned on here [above]..the easiest one really and one of the best songs ever, [imo] right from the first second..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPnZZTVp_2A" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Marvin Gaye - 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine'.

Don't think there has been any Smokey Robinson and the Miracles on this thread yet..?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWt4Hz1KGcQ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

SMOKEY ROBINSON & THE MIRACLES - GOING TO A GO-GO [1965].

One of the most poignant Motown songs ever..
Marvin - Abraham Martin & John
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XN6hePGMI8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Not classic Motown but love this tune..
Commodores - Nightshift
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrkEDe6Ljqs" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

hampsteadclaret wrote:Don't think there has been any Smokey Robinson and the Miracles on this thread yet..?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWt4Hz1KGcQ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

SMOKEY ROBINSON & THE MIRACLES - GOING TO A GO-GO [1965].

I was getting round to it...

More More More Of Your Love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyH0gkUCyHI" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hampstead, Tamla Motown isn't 60 until May 2025, don't get ahead of yourself man. Now if you are talking Tamla and Anna then that's more like it. Barrett Strong as well as being issued on the Tamla label also came out on a 10 inch Shellac 78rpm recording on Anna in 1959. Surprising how many people do not realise that TM as a label does not exist in the USA. Gordys empire was made up of a loose conglomeration of labels such as Tamla and Motown (obs.) but also labels like Golden World, Soul, Ric-Tic, VIP, Miracle, Gordy, Mel-O-Dy and there were more. Of course in the UK, before 1965 they were released on a number of different labels so The Supremes Baby Love was first issued on the Stateside label in 64 and wasn't reissued on TM until 10 years later.

The great thing about the Motown Sound was that it was able to evolve. You got stuff coming out on Mowest (California) like Frankie Valli The Night for those Northern Soul fans (bless em). And in the 70s there was some great stuff came out on Prodigal.

But for me the greatest label will always be Chess/Checker/Cadet. Terry Callier just cannot be beat. Not even by Sam Dees.

Corky wrote:Hampstead, Tamla Motown isn't 60 until May 2025, don't get ahead of yourself man. Now if you are talking Tamla and Anna then that's more like it. Barrett Strong as well as being issued on the Tamla label also came out on a 10 inch Shellac 78rpm recording on Anna in 1959. Surprising how many people do not realise that TM as a label does not exist in the USA. Gordys empire was made up of a loose conglomeration of labels such as Tamla and Motown (obs.) but also labels like Golden World, Soul, Ric-Tic, VIP, Miracle, Gordy, Mel-O-Dy and there were more. Of course in the UK, before 1965 they were released on a number of different labels so The Supremes Baby Love was first issued on the Stateside label in 64 and wasn't reissued on TM until 10 years later.

The great thing about the Motown Sound was that it was able to evolve. You got stuff coming out on Mowest (California) like Frankie Valli The Night for those Northern Soul fans (bless em). And in the 70s there was some great stuff came out on Prodigal.

But for me the greatest label will always be Chess/Checker/Cadet. Terry Callier just cannot be beat. Not even by Sam Dees.

Splitting hairs...

Here's the aforementioned Marvelettes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96SmBTJ ... s&index=30" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Supremes (post Diana Ross)
Stoned Love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2ce7FWOAM8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[quote="Dazzler"]Splitting hairs...

Pedantic perhaps but accurate nonetheless.

Loved Marvin Gaye among many others, but my choice for this thread is one that I always had right at the top of my list

Marv Johnson - I'll pick a rose for my rose

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m960PHpphBw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Well guys, here is the greatest record of all time. Stevie Wonder singing I Hear a Symphony .
Only Basil might have heard this previously, but please give it a listen.

https://youtu.be/ZPCO4N6YWXs" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Had the great pleasure of watching the magical Diana Ross in Newcastle about 14 years ago.
It was a present for Mrs Aclaret and I just thought I would be tagging along but I was absolutely starstruck. She was fantastic. Will never forget that concert.

Siddo wrote:Well guys, here is the greatest record of all time. Stevie Wonder singing I Hear a Symphony .
Only Basil might have heard this previously, but please give it a listen.

https://youtu.be/ZPCO4N6YWXs" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Much prefer the original Supremes recording.

Jimmy Ruffin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zx2ZpA-i9p8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Isley Brothers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhDIQrO0NXw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Temptations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRAtT5X5bng" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Dazzler wrote:Much prefer the original Supremes recording.

Bloody hell Dazzler. I thought you were my mate!

Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell were always my favourites and this is the best Motown song ever IMO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xz-UvQYAmbg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here is a litttle known Motown song unless you have the album. The Impossible Dream by the Supremes/Temptations, awesome version of the song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5KZk1eHfa4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Siddo wrote:Bloody hell Dazzler. I thought you were my mate!

Having listened to it again it's grown on me..It is now my favourite...

David Ruffin-pieces Of A Man (from his first solo album)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaU4b3j9fwI" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Contours-Just A Little Misunderstanding (Joe Stubbs on lead vocals)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uF0bkw4KKto" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Brenda Holloway-Just Look What You've Done
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRUsqvfqXjQ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks for all the contributions on this, most of which were excellent, and some great links.

A couple to finish with, artists who have not featured on here yet..

This is Jackie Wilson...check out the excellent Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth dancing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AXkfhqvO44" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Last one from me..

junior Walker and the All Stars - What does it take [to win your love]. [1969]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ub72eylahJg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;