Post by Forever Motown on Jan 25, 2005 13:39:55 GMT -5
Here's an article I found from 1996, it's very interesting:
What if there had been no Motown? (Perish the thought!)
Michigan Chronicle; 11/12/1996; Steve Holsey
Michigan Chronicle
11-12-1996
What if there had been no Motown? (Perish the thought!).
When I received word in early September that Berry Gordy founder and former president of Motown Record., would be receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Oct. 24, I thought to myself how fitting that was. In fact, I wondered why it had not happened sooner.
After, all this was the man responsible for the most extraordinary record company that has gave the world a body of music that has a life of its own. The company that made Detroit almost as famous for its music as its cars. The imitated-but-never-duplicated campany that is the only one that has had books written about it on an ongoing basis.
The company that will always be this writer's favorite. Maybe yours too.
Not that this an attempt to paint an all-rosy picture of Motown. I wouldn't do that because after two and half decades of conversing with decades of covering with Motown artists, musicians, and various other personnel, I know plenty about "the other side of the rainbow."
But there in an "other side" to every company and every human being. And besides, that's not what his story is about.
As I thought about Gordy's Walk of Fame honor, I began to ponder what we would all have missed had Motown never been created. there was much to ponder, but not enough space to tell the whole story!
HAD MOTOWN NEVER existed, we would have been de - prived of.....
* The Motortown Revue at the Fox Theatre. Those shows were thrill a moment and, in many ways, still unequaled. The Temptations in their 1964-68 prime, when they were "The baddest" group around, bar none. Their image endures, as does their plethora of classic hits, including "Since I Lost My Baby," "Ain't Too Proud to Beg," "My Girl," "(I Know) I'm Losing You," "The Girl's Alright With Me," "My Baby" and "I Wish It Should Rain." The Jackson 5, from which emerged Michael Jackson, one on the most extraordinary entertainers of all time. The J-5 were a phenomenon unto themselves. They gave Motown the shot in the arm it needed as the '60s ended and the '70s began. * The songwriting and producing genious of such gifted persons as Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland, Mickey Stevenson, Norman Whitfield, Sylvia Moy, Barrett Strong, Smokey Robinson, Nick Ashford, Valerie Simpson and Berry Gordy himself. * The Supremes, the sequined trio who went to the top and beyond, setting the standard by which female groups would be judged for years to come. And they had hit after hit after hit. Patti LaBelle joked recently: "The Supremes had more hits then they should have! They could have give me two!" And, of course, from the Supremes emerged the legendary diva Diana Ross. * The wonderful little building at 2648 W. Grand Blvd. that is recognized all over the world, Some say there is magic within its walls. * Marvin Gaye. What a tremendous artist, what a complex man what a blessing to was for him to have been here to share his talent. There are those (including Donnie Simpson) who believe that Gay's "What's Going On" is that finest album ever recorded, while others maintain that there has never been a song sexier than "Let's Get It On." * The incredible musicians and bandleaders who, for the most part, were unsung heroes, including Earl Van Dyke, James Jamerson, Benny Benjamin Uriel Jones, Thomas "Beans" Bowles, Choker Campbell, Maurice King, Robert White and Eddie Willis. * The Miracies. One of Motown's most important acts, and always favorites of Berry and always favorites of Berry Gordy. They are legends and their songs, such as legends and their songs, such as "The Tracks of My Tears," "Shop Around," "Ooo Baby Baby" and "The Tears of a Clown," will always be on the radio. * Mary Wells. She was the original queen of Motown, and this writer had a special fondness for her. When in my early teens, I liked everything about Mary Wells, even the sound of her name! Wells gave us "Two Lovers," "My Guy" and "You Lost and Sweetest Boy," among others. * Polish and class. Motown was first record company to create a department to groom its artists in every sense of the word. That's why Motown acts could play the Copacabana and the Apollo, the Ed Sullivan program as well as local dance shows. * Martha & the Vandellas and the marvelettes, two sensational "girl groups." Their fans have never stopped loving them. It was the sound, the look, and of course, the sound, the look, and of course, the songs. The Marvelettes excited us with gems like "Please Mr. Postman" and "Don't Mess With Bill," while Martha & the Vandellas got us going with "Heat Wave" and "Dancing in the Street," among others. * A momunetal chapter in African American history. Motown was Black owned, a source of pride for Black people all over the world. Motown was true "Black power." * Stevie Wonder. We watched him go from child prodigy to superstar. He has repeatedly proven himself to be worthy of the "genius" label, especially in the `70s when he amazed every-one with super albums like "Talking Book," Innervisions" and his crowning achievement, "Songs in the Key of Life." It's easy to hear Stevie Wonder's in fluence in the singing of so many of today's new male vocalists. * The Four Tops. A class act. They have been together for over 40 years and have never had a personnel changes! No other group can make that claim. With Levi's voice up front, the group's trademark rocking from side to side movement, and a long list of great songs, the Four Tops have became icons.
We would be remiss to not name at least of some if the many other artists who help write the Motown story (plus choreographer Cholly Atkins and finishing school director Maxine Powell). These would include the Contours, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Brenda Holloway, the Velvelettes, Shorty Long, Jr. Walker Kim Weston, the Commodores, the Originals, Tammi Terrell, Jimmy Ruffin, Undisputed Truth, Marv Johnson, Rare Earth, Marv Johnson, Rare Earth, Edwin Starr, DeBarge, the Elgins, the Monitors and Sytreeta.
And we can't forget the great Temptations lead singers: David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, Dennis Edwards.
It would be impossible to fully capture the essence of Motown in words because much of it has to do with elements that are beyond description. There is a certain aura about Motown. It's almost spiritual.
What if there had never been a Motown Record Corporation? Perish the thought!
Ethnic NewsWatch © SoftLine Information, Inc., Stamford, CT
******************************************
What if there had been no Motown? (Perish the thought!)
Michigan Chronicle; 11/12/1996; Steve Holsey
Michigan Chronicle
11-12-1996
What if there had been no Motown? (Perish the thought!).
When I received word in early September that Berry Gordy founder and former president of Motown Record., would be receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Oct. 24, I thought to myself how fitting that was. In fact, I wondered why it had not happened sooner.
After, all this was the man responsible for the most extraordinary record company that has gave the world a body of music that has a life of its own. The company that made Detroit almost as famous for its music as its cars. The imitated-but-never-duplicated campany that is the only one that has had books written about it on an ongoing basis.
The company that will always be this writer's favorite. Maybe yours too.
Not that this an attempt to paint an all-rosy picture of Motown. I wouldn't do that because after two and half decades of conversing with decades of covering with Motown artists, musicians, and various other personnel, I know plenty about "the other side of the rainbow."
But there in an "other side" to every company and every human being. And besides, that's not what his story is about.
As I thought about Gordy's Walk of Fame honor, I began to ponder what we would all have missed had Motown never been created. there was much to ponder, but not enough space to tell the whole story!
HAD MOTOWN NEVER existed, we would have been de - prived of.....
* The Motortown Revue at the Fox Theatre. Those shows were thrill a moment and, in many ways, still unequaled. The Temptations in their 1964-68 prime, when they were "The baddest" group around, bar none. Their image endures, as does their plethora of classic hits, including "Since I Lost My Baby," "Ain't Too Proud to Beg," "My Girl," "(I Know) I'm Losing You," "The Girl's Alright With Me," "My Baby" and "I Wish It Should Rain." The Jackson 5, from which emerged Michael Jackson, one on the most extraordinary entertainers of all time. The J-5 were a phenomenon unto themselves. They gave Motown the shot in the arm it needed as the '60s ended and the '70s began. * The songwriting and producing genious of such gifted persons as Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland, Mickey Stevenson, Norman Whitfield, Sylvia Moy, Barrett Strong, Smokey Robinson, Nick Ashford, Valerie Simpson and Berry Gordy himself. * The Supremes, the sequined trio who went to the top and beyond, setting the standard by which female groups would be judged for years to come. And they had hit after hit after hit. Patti LaBelle joked recently: "The Supremes had more hits then they should have! They could have give me two!" And, of course, from the Supremes emerged the legendary diva Diana Ross. * The wonderful little building at 2648 W. Grand Blvd. that is recognized all over the world, Some say there is magic within its walls. * Marvin Gaye. What a tremendous artist, what a complex man what a blessing to was for him to have been here to share his talent. There are those (including Donnie Simpson) who believe that Gay's "What's Going On" is that finest album ever recorded, while others maintain that there has never been a song sexier than "Let's Get It On." * The incredible musicians and bandleaders who, for the most part, were unsung heroes, including Earl Van Dyke, James Jamerson, Benny Benjamin Uriel Jones, Thomas "Beans" Bowles, Choker Campbell, Maurice King, Robert White and Eddie Willis. * The Miracies. One of Motown's most important acts, and always favorites of Berry and always favorites of Berry Gordy. They are legends and their songs, such as legends and their songs, such as "The Tracks of My Tears," "Shop Around," "Ooo Baby Baby" and "The Tears of a Clown," will always be on the radio. * Mary Wells. She was the original queen of Motown, and this writer had a special fondness for her. When in my early teens, I liked everything about Mary Wells, even the sound of her name! Wells gave us "Two Lovers," "My Guy" and "You Lost and Sweetest Boy," among others. * Polish and class. Motown was first record company to create a department to groom its artists in every sense of the word. That's why Motown acts could play the Copacabana and the Apollo, the Ed Sullivan program as well as local dance shows. * Martha & the Vandellas and the marvelettes, two sensational "girl groups." Their fans have never stopped loving them. It was the sound, the look, and of course, the sound, the look, and of course, the songs. The Marvelettes excited us with gems like "Please Mr. Postman" and "Don't Mess With Bill," while Martha & the Vandellas got us going with "Heat Wave" and "Dancing in the Street," among others. * A momunetal chapter in African American history. Motown was Black owned, a source of pride for Black people all over the world. Motown was true "Black power." * Stevie Wonder. We watched him go from child prodigy to superstar. He has repeatedly proven himself to be worthy of the "genius" label, especially in the `70s when he amazed every-one with super albums like "Talking Book," Innervisions" and his crowning achievement, "Songs in the Key of Life." It's easy to hear Stevie Wonder's in fluence in the singing of so many of today's new male vocalists. * The Four Tops. A class act. They have been together for over 40 years and have never had a personnel changes! No other group can make that claim. With Levi's voice up front, the group's trademark rocking from side to side movement, and a long list of great songs, the Four Tops have became icons.
We would be remiss to not name at least of some if the many other artists who help write the Motown story (plus choreographer Cholly Atkins and finishing school director Maxine Powell). These would include the Contours, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Brenda Holloway, the Velvelettes, Shorty Long, Jr. Walker Kim Weston, the Commodores, the Originals, Tammi Terrell, Jimmy Ruffin, Undisputed Truth, Marv Johnson, Rare Earth, Marv Johnson, Rare Earth, Edwin Starr, DeBarge, the Elgins, the Monitors and Sytreeta.
And we can't forget the great Temptations lead singers: David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, Dennis Edwards.
It would be impossible to fully capture the essence of Motown in words because much of it has to do with elements that are beyond description. There is a certain aura about Motown. It's almost spiritual.
What if there had never been a Motown Record Corporation? Perish the thought!
Ethnic NewsWatch © SoftLine Information, Inc., Stamford, CT
******************************************
.....But a world without Motown is a world deprived sumthin' wicked!!! 
