All of Motown's most popular groups had crossover success with both R&B and mainstream pop audiences, but The Marvelettes' song, "Please Mr. Postman," was the first Motown record to reach the number one position on Billboard's Hot 100 pop singles chart in 1961. How did Motown achieve crossover success? - Sage-Advices However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Motown - The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia Robinson was an important songwriter at Motown, as were Sylvia Moy, Norman Whitfield, Mickey Stevenson, Ivy Joe Hunter, and Gordy himself. Why? How did Motown records achieve crossover success. While investigating facts about Motown Records Artists and Motown Records Founder, I found out little known, but curios details like: James Jamerson, regarded as the greatest electronic bass player ever, recorded Marvin Gayes Whats Going On, while being flat on his back as he was too intoxicated to stand upright. Second, a new urban dance music, rhythm and blues, was ascendant. Press ESC to cancel. Tamlas first release, in the Detroit area, was Marv Johnsons Come to Me in 1959 (released on United Artists). Motown broke down racial prejudice by becoming the most successful independent record company in history and the most successful African-American-owned business in America. In 1971 Motown released what became, arguably, the most influential soul record ever, Gayes Whats Going On. Follow us. One of Motown's famous girl groups is The Marvelettes. Make a prediction: How did Motown Records contribute to the Civil Rights Movement? Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | 2003 - 2014 Oregon Public Broadcasting. This is our collection of basic interesting facts about Motown Records. The Motown Sound is unmistakeable for its glorious melodies and killer hooks; the Motown spirit as embodied by the vivacious, tenacious Gordy himself (now 89) is exceptional, even if the label is no longer independent (its currently part of Universal Records). Provide details about its founding, the style of music, the important people, etc. Of these, 357 either made the R & B charts and/or the pop charts. What was ironic about the Supremes' 1969 hit "Someday we'll Be Together" ? After students have read and discussed the articles in their expert groups, dismiss students to their home groups to share and exchange what they learned. The company moved all of its operations to Los Angeles in June 1972, with a number of artists, among them Martha Reeves, the Four Tops, Gladys Knight & the Pips, and Motowns Funk Brothers studio band, either staying behind in Detroit or leaving the company for other reasons. In your opinion, is Aretha more of a gospel singer or a rhythm & blues singer? Kovach and Flory claim that the success of Motown Records parallels that of the Beatles (p. 223). Rare Earth also faced segregation at the time for sounding "too white.". Franklin's mother, Barbara, was a gospel singer and pianist. In the early to mid-1960s especially, the Funk Brothers gave Motowns records their signature sound characteristics, including: In 1959, not long after recording Robinsons group, the Miracles, for New York-based End Records and establishing Jobete Publishing Company, Gordy began Motown Records (its name derived from Detroits nickname, Motor City). Posted On 7, 2022. The Temptations, The Miracles, Stevie Wonder, Martha and the Vandellas and The Supremes at EMI Records in March 1965, for the UK launch of the Tamla Motown label. - string sections What was the purpose of the quality control meetings at Motown? The move was completed in 1972, and Motown later expanded into film and television production, remaining an independent company until 1994, when it was sold to PolyGram before being sold again to MCA Records successor Universal Music Group when it acquired PolyGram in 1999. Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye at a Detroit nightclub in 1964 (Credit: Private Collection fromMotown: The Sound of Young Americaby Adam White with Barney Ales, Thames & Hudson). Assign students home and expert groups according to the jigsaw cooperative learning strategy. Motown Detectives.pdf - Motown Detectives Jamie Hoffman In the late sixties, Motown Records released a number of explicitly political hits: Marvin Gayes Whats Going On, Edwin Starrs War, Aretha Franklins Respect, and Smokey Robinsons I Care About Detroit. Ask students to research one of those songs and analyze what it says in the context of the Civil Rights Movement. Though the songs were not overtly political, Motown's popularity contributed to the Civil Rights Movement by achieving crossover success. The social change promised by the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka school desegregation decision and the new civil rights activism made this a heady time indeed to be an enterprising African Americananything seemed possible. Suggestions for adaption include: limit the number research sources resources students view; print resources and highlight relevant information. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. They named it Rare Earth, after the band had asked them to when they first opened the division. 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 . Motown's 10th No. Posted on . Include the following points: What was Motown Records? , s how did motown records achieve crossover success? The touring-recording group was called the MGs. How did it achieve crossover success? Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. 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. What Makes Motown Successful - 554 Words | Bartleby -I Say a Little Prayer: I like the tempo and rhythm of the song CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RH.9-10.2Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of how key events or ideas develop over the course of the text. Chris Clark in the studio with Berry Gordy, Lamont Dozier and Stevie Wonder. In my opinion, it is useful to put together a list of the most interesting details from trusted sources that I've come across answering who recorded at motown records. What accounts for such a dramatic shift in style? African American Registry - Motown Records, Motown - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up), Gordy, Robinson honored at reunion of Motown stars, Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Eddie Holland. In what ways was Berry Gordy involved in the music business? Motown is almost more alive as an entity than it ever was before, argues Adam Spiegel, British producer of Motown the Musical. Historical Research Capabilities: The student conducts historical research, US History Content Standards, Grades 5-12, Era 9: Postwar United States (1945-1970s). Gordy prided himself on having learned about producing a quality product from a brief stint on the assembly line at an auto plant. Within seven years, Motown would occupy seven additional neighboring houses: Motown had hired over 450 employees and had a gross income of $20 million by the end of 1966. Explain how Motown music helped African Americans in their fight for civil rights. The Motown Sound owes some of its uniqueness to the reverb effect created by pumping tracks through the labels Echo Chamber, in the days before computers and synthesizers. Gordys partner at the time (and wife from 1960-64), Raynoma Liles, also played a key role in the early days of Motown, leading the companys first session group, The Rayber Voices, and overseeing the labels publishing arm, Jobete. By the middle of the decade, Gwen and Anna Gordy had joined the label in administrative positions as well. The Motown Sound was characterized by syncopated bass lines, call-and-response choruses, and a strong backbeat accented with tambourines. -Motown's records began to deal more directly with issues facing black America, 1. Motown had done something that hadn't been done before. If you would like to comment on this story or anything else you have seen on BBC Culture, head over to ourFacebookpage or message us onTwitter. This might have been savvy attitude from a seasoned entrepreneur who fashioned Motown as the sound of young America but it was also key to why the labels spirit was so ground-breaking. The fact lists are intended for research in school, for college students or just to feed your brain with new realities. This lesson is appropriate for American History units covering the Civil Rights Movement and post-World-War-II American society. Motown played an important role in the racial integration of popular music as an African American-owned record label which achieved significant crossover success. Answer (1 of 4): Personally, I do, as a subgenre of pop and or soul music, AND a historical reference: 1. Students view an excerpt from the Motown Ampinvestigation in which they learn about bassist James Jamerson and the role of Motown Records in the Civil Rights Movement. The first of scores of Motown number one singles was delivered by teen girl group The Marvelettes: 1961s Please Mr Postman had Gladys Horton on lead vocals and backing from Motowns ultra-sharp house band The Funk Brothers (including Marvin Gaye on drums); like countless Motown gems, it would also inspire major cover versions in this case, by the likes of The Beatles and The Carpenters. Explanation: (3). Is Motown considered a music genre? - Quora (3+3), -Favorite because of the meaning of the song. Were there any downsides to Motowns success? Its first hit was Barrett Strongs Money (Thats What I Want) (1959), which made it to number 2 on the Billboard R&B charts (released nationally on Anna Records). 2. Gordys parents, hardworking entrepreneurs, instilled in their children the gospel of hard work and religious faith. When did Tamla change its name to Motown? Sixty years ago, Berry Gordy set up the hit factory of Motown. How did Motown achieve this level of success? In the 1980s Gordy found it difficult to prosper in a music industry increasingly dominated by multinational conglomerates, and in 1988 he sold Motown to MCA, which later sold the company to Polygram.
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