The Sound Of Young America captured the hearts of teenagers from coast to
coast. It didn't matter if you were Black or White ... this was a brand new
sound with a fresh and vibrant beat that took on a life of its own as "The
Motown Sound".
Weekly, a panel of label executives would meet and listen to and critique
their latest recordings, trying to determine as a group which songs would be the
most successful radio hits. As such, these playbacks were often listened to through a car radio speaker ... because that is where most of the kids
would be hearing these songs for the first time ... and thereafter on a regular
basis.
Who would have ever thought that this much talent could grow up on the
streets of Detroit ... man, what a roster ...
The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Martha and the
Vandellas, The Marvelettes, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, The Supremes, The
Temptations, Jr. Walker and the All-Stars, Mary Wells, Stevie Wonder ... these
acts RULED the charts during the 1960's and 1970's.
This week we'll be spotlighting that initial decade. The very first Motown
release to become a hit was "Money" by Barrett Strong in 1959 ... and they just
kept coming from that point on.
Founded by song writer Berry Gordy (who borrowed the money ... $800 ... to
start the label), Hitsville, U.S.A. became an international success. British
Artists such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Dave Clark Five and others
would often successfully record their own versions of Motown Hits, paying homage
(and hitting pay dirt) time after time again. Even 20 years later artists like
Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor kept the Motown Sound alive with remakes that
charted throughout the '70's and '80's. Today ... some 55 years after that first release, "Motown:
The Musical" is playing on Broadway, a virtual celebration of the music that
played such an important role in our lives.
This week we salute Motown - The '60's ... as we count down The Top 100
Motown Hits of the '60's. Stay tuned!
