A Brief History
On August 21, 1961, Motown Records of Detroit, Michigan released what became their first #1 hit song, “Please Mr. Postman” by the Marvelettes. Founded by record making genius Berry Gordy, Jr., Motown was an African-American oriented enterprise with a cross-racial appeal that helped bridge the musical gap between Black and White Americans in the turbulent 1960’s.
Digging Deeper
A relatively small company, Motown was now on its way to major success, owning the crossover soul to pop market. The 1960’s saw 79 Motown hits make the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. Gordy moved the record company to Los Angeles in 1972 and sold it to MCA Records in 1988. Motown currently operates as a division of the Capital Music Group under the larger banner of the Universal Music Group, still producing hits.
Top acts recording under the Motown label during the 1960’s and 1970’s included mega stars The Supremes, The Jackson 5, The Marvelettes, Stevie Wonder, The Four Tops, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, and Marvin Gaye. Various other labels owned by Motown completed the Who’s Who of R&B and Soul music, with The Temptations, The Contours, Martha and The Vandellas, The Spiners, Jimmy Ruffin, and Gladys Knight and The Pips, just to name some. Unfortunately, Stevie Wonder is the only artist still with Motown left over from these heady years.
One of the keys to the success of Motown’s records was the extensive use of studio musicians known as The Funk Brothers, a back up band that allegedly appeared on more #1 hits than “The Beatles, Elvis, The Rolling Stones, and the Beach Boys combined” (per the 2002 documentary film, Standing in the Shadows of Motown.)
As far as that first #1 hit, it was followed by another 190 over the next 50 years! Question for students (and subscribers): What are your favorite Motown hits? How about your favorite Motown artists? Please let us know in the comments section below this article.
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Historical Evidence
For more information, please see…
George, Nelson and Quincy Jones. Where Did Our Love Go?: The Rise and Fall of the Motown Sound (Music in American Life). University of Illinois Press, 2007.
Justman, Paul, dir. Standing in the Shadows of Motown. Lionsgate, 2003. DVD.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="12815 https://www.historyandheadlines.com/?p=12815">73 Comments
I think it’s crazy how fast music can travel and popularize so much throughout the states.
I did not know Motown Records released Please Mr. Postman. That’s a very good song! This record company had a lot of big names in music signed to them.
I remember learning about Motown’s success in choir in middle school. We sang the song by the Jackson Five, “ABC,” which was pretty fun as I recall.
I’m not that big into older music, but it seems like Motown Records was very influential to the music game.
Motown had so many famous singers back then. It’s sad to see that only Stevie Wonder is left from that time.
I have not heard this song. It would be cool to listen to it.
My favorite top acts recorded under the Motown label are The Jackson 5 and Stevie Wonder.
I actually didn’t associate Stevie Wonder with Motown! I didn’t know he part of the label.
I’m not a big fan of older music, but it seems like Motown Records was very popular.
I’m a fan of older music, and its cool to see that Motown Records was so influential.
I actually love old music so this was a really cool read!
I actually enjoy the Jackson 5 so this was a great read!
I don’t have a favorite Motown hit.
I grew up in Detroit and never saw the museum! I would have to say that I don’t have a favorite motown hit or favorite artist, but I do think this music has helped impact the music industry today.
I like Motown but i don’t have a favorite hit.
My grandma loves Motown. I personally am not that huge of a fan seeing as it’s pretty old.
So many great hits were recorded at Motown by various artist. As a fan of music, I can not just pick one artist or one song.
Not really a fan of Motown music, but it was nice to read about its history. Stevie Wonder is very loyal to still be with them.
Berry Gordy was a visionary. He certainly set the bar high for music producers and record labels.
Music from The Jackson 5 does not get old. I could not believe how many artists that I knew of that had recorded there.
I do not know much about Motown but my grandma loved a lot of the music. I am sure I would know many of the songs from the label if I heard them.
My grandparents are big fans of Motown.
I always thought that motown was a style of music. did it orginate from this?
It is awesome to see the connection of Motown and other music. It is great to see the cultural meshing.
The Motown Record Company will always go down as one of the best record companies and will continue to sign singers.
I loved all of these singers and groups. I honestly never knew that Mo Town was “motor town” because of Detroit until my Love Songs class this summer.
I do not know much about Motown but I know my grandparents talk about it from occasion as I know it was very popular.
Jackson 5 is definitely one of my favorites.
I enjoy Motown and older types of music. I agree with Rose, I definitely love Jackson 5 and it is cool to see how far they went and how popular they became.
I never really listen to much Motown, but the Jackson 5 still to this day is one group that I enjoy listening to. I never really understood what Motown was until reading this article.
I have never heard about Motown. But, at the end of the article, I saw a lot of names I heard before: The Beatles, Elvis, The Rolling Stones, and the Beach Boys. They are so popular in the world. Even in today’s society, they still influence the musical industry.
I should listen to Motown when I was in my music class, but I didn’t remember. I would try to find some and listen to them sometime.
The introduction of Motown to the music industry made a big influence on many of the musicians we hear today, and has helped shape the music that we hear on the radio.
I’ve always liked learning about Motown and how they’ve done more than just the Jackson 5.
Motown is truly one of my favorites, I love how much soul this music gives.
I think that Motown is interesting, but i’ve never really listened to it, and it really helped shape the music industry.
I did not realize they were still producing Motown hits. There are so many hits still listened to today.
I have heard of Motown hits. However, I did not know it is as successful as it is.
Whenever you hear about motown you hear about the Jackson 5, so it is cool to read some of the other names that came with it!.
Fascinating to see the original Motown operating under a bigger entity. Still gotta kick out those #1 hits!
I LOVED listening to the Jackson 5 growing up. Motown is definitely a period where some of the greatest music stems from!
I have never really heard of Motown that I know of.
I never heard of Motown before. If they were as good as some say they are I should go listen to some of their songs.
Ive heard of them but never really knew them
Barry Gordy was a legend. He made Motown what it was
Motown produced some of the best music ever recorded. I love that distinctive “Motown” sound. Berry Gordy is a genius and Marvin Gaye is my favorite artist.
Motown was an era of great sounds, voices, and messages in the music. People could move and feel the music as it played.
I love the sound of Motown because the beat makes you want to move. If you haven’t heard of Motown you should definitely listen to some!
Motown has some of the best music. Watching the movie “The Temptations” reminds us how awesome of a time it was in American music history.
Some great history and artists have come out of Motown. Surprised at the number of successful artists they help to create. Makes you wonder where would be today had they not produced such success. Interesting to read about the back up band that was used. Never knew.
Motown was a great era of music so many hit songs and great artists.
Motown was such a significant period of music. The people who made up this era are amazing.
Motown has made some great music over the years and have had some of the best performs of all time. All of the hits that have come out of Motown records is amazing. I could only imagine if they were making those hits in today’s music world.
Motown made great music and back in those days they would allow artist to open there creative thoughts. Motown had great artist and they were all great.
Just like Rock and Roll this is another perfect example of how music brought people together during a trying time in American history. Motown and the Rock and Roll genre, through music, allowed for people to forget about race and come together in a time of high racial tension. I think Motown Records and Rock and Roll contributed greatly in changing peoples minds about race equality in this country.
Motown music is just so easy listening, even though it is so old in this day in age I still love to listen to it. I learned all about Motown and “Hitsville” in the temptations movie (If you have not seen “The Temptations” movie, I highly recommend it). The Temptations are by far my favorite Motown artists.
I couldn’t imagine what the music industry would be like today without the existence of Motown Records. My favorite of all time from them is the Jackson 5!
Stevie Wonder and the Jackson 5 are my favorite Motown hits. This was such an incredible time for the music industry. I do like the Temptations as well.
I don’t know how to answer this I am not a Motown person I don’t listen to Motown well at least I don’t think I do.
Although I did not grow up in the era of Motown, I love listening to the music on my grandmother’s record player.
Love going to grandmas to listen to this music.
I love music from this era. I think it is great that they had so many successful African American acts in a difficult time time. They definitely set the tone for how things are done in the record business.
I am definitely not a Motown music type of person, it was way before my time. Motown did have a big impact in the music industry though.
I have to say the Jackson 5 and Stevie Wonder would be my favorite from the Motown era. The only reason I say that is because I have not heard of any of the others.
Jackson 5 most definitely is the best! I literally watch the VH1 special every time it comes on.
No Boys II Men on this list? Shameful.
Personally, I’ve always wanted to go up to Detroit and visit Motown’s museum at their first headquarters known as “Hitsville, USA”.
Music my parent’s grew up listening to! Back in the day we had tapes with Motown Hits and my Mom and Dad would sing and dance with us kids! I still listen to these songs today with my kids. The evolution of music is amazing to me!! Though, I tend to favor do whap, Motown and early rock n roll. But, we cannot forget Michael Jackson and Prince!
My mother loved listening to Motown Hits. This music eventually grew on me as she always would be listening to it , Great music, Marvin Gaye was one of her favorite and The Temptations is mines.
Jackson 5 are one of my favorite Motown artists. I love all of the Jackson’s music, even today!
I would have to say Stevie Wonder would be my favorite only because I have never heard of the others.
A very successful company. My favorite hit is “My Girl” by the Temptations.
I love all the old Motown music! I found it interesting that Stevie Wonder is the only artist from the early years still with Motown.
It is very interesting learning about the first Motown music