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Understanding Music Course Pack MUS.131.PCI1 COTTON FACILITY FALL 2020

Instructor: Brian Ketner

# of copies: 0

Table of Contents Syllabus pg 1 Course Block and Due Dates Schedule pg 2 Video Lesson Schedule pg 3 J-Pay Interactive Question Guidelines pg 4 Assignment Packet Instructions pg 5 Chapter Summary Guidelines pg 6 Writing Assignment Guidelines pg 7 Reading Guidelines pg 8 Writing Assignment Prompts pg 9 Appendix: Motown Pages pg 19

Instructions and Guidelines 1

Syllabus: Understanding Music MUS.131.PCI1 Fall 2020 Number of Credits: 3 Days Class Meets: N/A

Location: Internet Based Learning

Instructor: Professor Ketner

Course Description Lecture and directed listening on the elements, forms, and historic chronology of Western music.

Course Goals To equip students with tools to listen to and appreciate multiple genres of music, to increase comprehension of musical form, style, and other musical concepts, and to recognize the historical development of Western music.

Textbook • The Enjoyment of Music, 12E, by Forney, Dell’Antonio, and Machlis

Expectations • Students are expected to check J-Pay regularly and interact with the question prompts. (This is also how I keep track of attendance. If you are not checking J-Pay, then you are not participating, and risk being dropped from the class.) • Students are expected to watch every class video and process it alongside reading. • Students are expected to be familiar with all reading assignments. • While listening to examples in the videos, students are expected to listen attentively. Use this time to practice observing and noticing specific details in the music. • Students are expected to turn in all assignments by the listed due dates. (see Course Blocks)

Assignments • J-Pay Interactive Questions – Guidelines pg 4 • Chapter Summaries and Writing Assignments – Assignment Packet Instructions pg 5

Grading Scale GPA GRADE RANGE GRADING

4.0 94-100% Chapter Summaries: 40% 3.5 89-93% 3.0 84-88% Writing Assignments: 40% 2.5 78-83% 2.0 72-77% J-Pay Interactive Questions: 20% 1.5 66-71% 1.0 60-65% 0.5 55-59% 0.0 0-54%

Instructions and Guidelines 2

Course Block and Due Dates Schedule The Reading and Assignments are split into 10 Course Blocks, which will be submitted in 5 Assignment Packets.

Note: Course Block topics DO NOT line up with Video Lessons. Please reference the Video Lesson Schedule.

COURSE WRITING CHAPTER SUMMARIES ASSIGNMENT PACKET BLOCK ASSIGNMENT

1 Part 1: Prelude 1, Chapters 1-12 #1 - Instruments #1 - Due 10/9

2 Part 2: Prelude 2, Chapters 13-19 #2 - Renaissance #1 - Due 10/9

3 Part 3: Prelude 3, Chapters 20-27 #3 - Baroque #2 - Due 10/23

4 Part 4: Prelude 4, Chapters 28-35 #4 - Classical #2 - Due 10/23

5 None #5 - Beethoven #3 - Due 11/6

6 Part 5: Prelude 5, Chapters 36-43 #6 - Romantic #3 - Due 11/6

7 Part 5: Chapters 44-51 #7 - Late Romantic #4 - Due 11/20

8 Part 6: Prelude 6, Chapters 52-61 #8 - Modern #4 - Due 11/20

9 Part 7: Prelude 7, Chapters 62-69 #9 - Post-Modern #5 - Due 12/4

10 None #10 - Motown #5 - Due 12/4

Instructions and Guidelines 3

Video Lesson Schedule The Video Lessons are split into 10 videos. Please be familiar with the associated Chapters. I recommend re-reading before and after watching the videos. Repetition leads to Comprehension!

Note: Video Lesson topics DO NOT line up with Course Blocks and Assignment Packets. Please reference the Course Block and Due Dates Schedule.

LESSON UNITS (“PARTS”) COVERED IN VIDEOS VIDEO TOPICS

Materials of Music Part 1: Materials of Music I Focus: Melody and Rhythm Part 2: Middle Ages and Renaissance Middle Ages and Renaissance Music

Focus: Instruments II Part 3: The Baroque Era The Baroque Period Instrumental Music and Opera

Baroque Sacred Music III Part 3: The Baroque Era Focus: Harmony Keyboard Music / J.S. Bach

The Classical Period IV Part 4: Eighteenth Century Classicism Focus: Forms and Genres Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven

Classical Opera V Part 4: Eighteenth Century Classicism Mozart and Beethoven Focus: Beethoven’s 5th Symphony

The Romantic Period VI Part 5: The Nineteenth Century Art Songs Romantic Piano Music

Romantic Opera VII Part 5: The Nineteenth Century Contemporary Cinema

Romantic Program Music VIII Part 5: The Nineteenth Century Impressionism

Modernism IX Part 6: Twentieth Century Modernism Early Popular Music

Part 7: Postmodernism: The Twentieth Postmodernism X Century and Beyond Post-War Popular Music

Instructions and Guidelines 4

J-Pay Interactive Question Guidelines

I will be sending regular updates weekly via J-Pay.

Each of these updates will include questions for you to discuss in a reply.

Specific details will be included with each question.

General Guidelines:

Questions will be sent each Monday. You are required to reply BEFORE Friday of that week. Your response will also be how I keep track of regular participation and attendance. I submit attendance on Friday of each week.

Failure to respond the first week, or any 2 weeks in a row may result in being dropped from the class.

Please answer the questions thoughtfully and thoroughly. I expect 1-2 solid paragraphs for each answer.

Grading

Each answer will be given up to 3 points.

Submitting an answer = 1 point

Answer demonstrates understanding of the question = 1 point

Answer is of sufficient length = 1 point

J-Pay Interactive Questions are worth 20% of the final grade.

Instructions and Guidelines 5

Assignment Packet Instructions

- Assignments and Reading are split into 10 Course Blocks. Course Blocks are grouped into 5 Assignment Packets.

- Please turn in ONLY the assignments for the appropriate Course Blocks. DO NOT turn in assignments early. I don’t want all your assignments at once.

- Note: The Course Block assignment topics DO NOT line up with the Video Lesson topics.

- Please clearly label all assignments with your name and class (MUS.131.PCI1) on every page.

Packet #1: Due: 10/9 Course Block 1: Chapter Summaries (Part 1: Prelude 1, Chapters 1-12) Writing Assignment #1

Course Block 2: Chapter Summaries (Part 2: Prelude 2, Chapters 13-19) Writing Assignment #2

Packet #2: Due: 10/23 Course Block 3: Chapter Summaries (Part 3: Prelude 3, Chapters 20-27) Writing Assignment #3

Course Block 4: Chapter Summaries (Part 4: Prelude 4, Chapters 28-35) Writing Assignments #4

Packet #3: Due: 11/6 Course Block 5: Writing Assignment #5

Course Block 6: Chapter Summaries (Part 5: Prelude 5, Chapters 36-43) Writing Assignment #6

Packet #4: Due: 11/20 Course Block 7: Chapter Summaries (Part 5: Chapters 44-51) Writing Assignment #7 Course Block 8: Chapter Summaries (Part 6: Prelude 6, Chapters 52-61) Writing Assignment #8

Packet #5: Due: 12/4 Course Block 9: Chapter Summaries (Part 7: Prelude 7, Chapters 62-69) Writing Assignment #9

Course Block 10: Writing Assignment #10

Instructions and Guidelines 6

Chapter Summary Guidelines

Note: Our textbook uses the term “Part” for their units. Each “Part” begins with a “Prelude” and is followed by several “Chapters”. “Preludes” are to be included as “chapters” for the purposes of this assignment.

Chapter Summary Assignment - For each chapter listed as part of the Course Block, please read and then write a 2-4 sentence summary (or more if you desire). - Please clearly head each summary with the following: “Part (), Chapter ()”, filling in the appropriate numbers. In the case of a Prelude, write “Part (), Prelude ()” - Then summarize the information presented in that chapter. Please speak academically on the topic for 2- 4 sentences. You may add additional sentences with your own reactions or thoughts on the topic. Note: Reading a chapter multiple times will allow you to absorb and process the information better before attempting to write a summary.

Submission Chapter Summaries will be submitted in Assignment Packets on the given due dates (see Assignment Packet Instructions). Please write your name and class (MUS.131.PCI1) on every page.

Grading Each Chapter Summary will be scored out of 5 based on the following: 1) Summary is in your own words and not copied from the text. 2) Summary demonstrates understanding of the chapter. 3) Summary is well thought out and easy to understand.

Chapter Summaries are worth 40% of the final grade.

Instructions and Guidelines 7

Writing Assignment Guidelines

Instructions: For each Course Block you will be given a Writing Prompt (See Writing Assignment Prompts, pg 9).

For each prompt, write a one-page paper following the instructions given in the prompt description. (3-4 paragraphs. Fill the page.)

Please be thorough and precise.

Format: Please title each worksheet as “Understanding Music Writing Assignment #()”, filling in the appropriate number.

Include your name and class (MUS.131.PCI1) in the upper right of every page. Number the pages if necessary.

How to do this assignment:

1) Use the textbook for your information. You may also use any other source you may have access to.

2) Please give credit to the source of your newly obtained information about this topic by citing to that source.

a) If you have put all the information you learned this week into your own wording and your own sentence structure, then just give a citation at the end of a paragraph that has lots of that information. Write this at the end of the paragraph: (Forney, et al, p. 39).

b) If you copy any sentences straight from your source, remember to put that direct quote in quotation marks (“ “) and use the same citation form immediately after the direct quote, like this: (Forney, et al, p. 39). Note: Please try to use direct quotes sparingly. A good rule of thumb is to only use a direct quote when it cannot possibly be stated any other way without losing its meaning.

c) If you use any additional sources, please remember to cite them properly, and list them at the end of your paper. (Title, Author, year published (or date accessed if from an online source))

3) Once you have a DRAFT of your paper, put it away for a few minutes, hours, or a day. Come back to it when you are fresh and edit well.

4) Assignments may be hand-written OR typed and double-spaced.

Grading

Papers will be given a score out of 10 based on the following criteria:

1) Paper demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the topics. 2) Paper is of sufficient length and cited properly. Note: Using information without properly citing your sources may count as Plagiarism and will result in an automatic 0/10. 3) Paper is readable a. Has a smooth narrative flow to the language. b. Is free of spelling and grammar errors. c. Gives me the impression you put thought into it.

Instructions and Guidelines 8

Reading Guidelines

Textbook: Please familiarize yourself with the appropriate Chapters for each Course Block and Video Lesson. I also recommend reading the chapters before and after watching the video lesson. Reinforcement is key to understanding! The more you re-read, the more you will get from it.

Note: Course Block topics will not always line up with the Video Lesson topics.

Source Reading: In this course pack you will find additional sources regarding Motown and various artists. These are for Course Block 10.

Reading Schedule:

Course Block Reading Assignment Packet

1: “Part 1: Materials of Music” #1 – Due 10/9 Prelude 1 Chapters 1-12

2: “Part 2: The Middle Ages and Renaissance” #1 – Due 10/9 Prelude 2 Chapters 13-19

3: “Part 3: The Baroque Era” #2 – Due 10/23 Prelude 3 Chapters 20-27

4: “Part 4: Eighteenth-Century Classicism” #2 – Due 10/23 Prelude 4 Chapters 28-35

5: Reading Catch-Up

6: “Part 5: The Nineteenth Century” #3 – Due 11/6 Prelude 5 Chapters 36-43

7: “Part 5: The Nineteenth Century” #4 – Due 11/20 Chapters 44-51

8: Part 6: Twentieth Century Modernism #4 – Due 11/20 Prelude 6 Chapters 52-61

9: Part 7: Postmodernism: #5 – Due 12/4 The Twentieth Century and Beyond Prelude 7 Chapters 62-69

10: Motown Pages (at the end of this Course Pack) #5 – Due 12/4

Instructions and Guidelines 9

Understanding Music – Writing Assignment #1 MUS.131.PCI1 – Course Block 1 – Packet 1 – Due 10/9

Write a one-page paper (3-4 paragraphs) about the families of instruments, using Chapter 10 from the course textbook.

1) Name one instrument from each of the 5 families and discuss it briefly.

2) Some questions you could answer are: a. What is its name? b. How is it played? c. What is unique about this instrument?

How to do this assignment:

1) Use the textbook for your information. You may also use any other source you may have access to.

2) Please give credit to the source of your newly obtained information about this topic by citing to that source.

c) If you use any additional sources, please remember to cite them properly, and list them at the end of your paper. (Title, Author, year published (or date accessed if from an online source))

3) Once you have a DRAFT of your paper, put it away for a few minutes, hours, or a day. Come back to it when you are fresh and edit well.

4) Assignments may be hand-written OR typed and double-spaced.

Writing Assignment Prompts 10

Understanding Music – Writing Assignment #2 MUS.131.PCI1 – Course Block 2 – Packet 1 – Due 10/9

Write a one-page paper (3-4 paragraphs) about this question: “How did they make music in the Renaissance period?” using the course textbook as your source.

1) Answer the question: How did they make music in the Renaissance period?

2) Some questions you could answer are (but you don’t have to do all): a. Was music performed by professionals or amateurs? b. Was music performed by men or women? c. What did the Madrigal link together? d. Who invented the Gutenberg Bible in 1455?

How to do this assignment:

1) Use the textbook for your information. You may also use any other source you may have access to.

2) Please give credit to the source of your newly obtained information about this topic by citing to that source.

c) If you use any additional sources, please remember to cite them properly, and list them at the end of your paper. (Title, Author, year published (or date accessed if from an online source))

3) Once you have a DRAFT of your paper, put it away for a few minutes, hours, or a day. Come back to it when you are fresh and edit well.

4) Assignments may be hand-written OR typed and double-spaced.

Writing Assignment Prompts 11

Understanding Music – Writing Assignment #3 MUS.131.PC1 – Course Block 3 – Packet 2 – Due 10/23

Write a one-page paper (3-4 paragraphs) about one of the Baroque composers (Bach, Handel, or Vivaldi), using the course textbook as your source.

1) Choose ONE of the main Baroque composers: Bach or Handel or Vivaldi.

2) Answer the question: What did you find most interesting or important about this Baroque composer?

3) Some questions you could answer are (but you don’t have to do all): a. How many pieces did he compose? b. Where did he live and work? c. What was most interesting to you about this composer? d. Why should history remember this composer?

How to do this assignment:

1) Use the textbook for your information. You may also use any other source you may have access to.

2) Please give credit to the source of your newly obtained information about this topic by citing to that source.

c) If you use any additional sources, please remember to cite them properly, and list them at the end of your paper. (Title, Author, year published (or date accessed if from an online source))

3) Once you have a DRAFT of your paper, put it away for a few minutes, hours, or a day. Come back to it when you are fresh and edit well.

4) Assignments may be hand-written OR typed and double-spaced.

Writing Assignment Prompts 12

Understanding Music – Writing Assignment #4 MUS.131.PCI1 – Course Block 4 – Packet 2 – Due 10/23

Write a one-page paper (3-4 paragraphs) about one of the Classical composers (Haydn or Mozart), using the course textbook as your source.

1) Choose ONE of the main Classical composers: Haydn or Mozart.

2) Answer the question: What did you find most interesting or important about this Classical composer?

How to do this assignment:

1) Use the textbook for your information. You may also use any other source you may have access to.

2) Please give credit to the source of your newly obtained information about this topic by citing to that source.

c) If you use any additional sources, please remember to cite them properly, and list them at the end of your paper. (Title, Author, year published (or date accessed if from an online source))

3) Once you have a DRAFT of your paper, put it away for a few minutes, hours, or a day. Come back to it when you are fresh and edit well.

4) Assignments may be hand-written OR typed and double-spaced.

Writing Assignment Prompts 13

Understanding Music – Writing Assignment #5 MUS.131.PCI1 – Course Block 5 – Packet 3 – Due 11/6

Write a one-page paper (3-4 paragraphs) about Ludwig van Beethoven, one of the most important transitional composers at the end of the Classical era, using the course textbook as your source.

1) Write about Beethoven.

2) Answer the question: What did you find most interesting or important about this Classical composer?

How to do this assignment:

1) Use the textbook for your information. You may also use any other source you may have access to.

2) Please give credit to the source of your newly obtained information about this topic by citing to that source.

c) If you use any additional sources, please remember to cite them properly, and list them at the end of your paper. (Title, Author, year published (or date accessed if from an online source))

3) Once you have a DRAFT of your paper, put it away for a few minutes, hours, or a day. Come back to it when you are fresh and edit well.

4) Assignments may be hand-written OR typed and double-spaced.

Writing Assignment Prompts 14

Understanding Music – Writing Assignment #6 MUS.131.PCI1 – Course Block 6 – Packet 3 – Due 11/6

Write a one-page paper (3-4 paragraphs) about one of the Romantic Era composers, using the course textbook as your source.

1) Choose one of these Romantic Era composers: Chopin, Hensel, Gottschalk, Berlioz, Grieg, Brahms, or Verdi.

2) Answer the question: What did you find most interesting or important about this Romantic composer?

3) Some questions you could answer are (but you don’t have to do all): a. How many pieces did he/she compose? b. Where did he/she live and work? c. What was most interesting to you about this composer? d. Why should history remember this composer?

How to do this assignment:

1) Use the textbook for your information. You may also use any other source you may have access to.

2) Please give credit to the source of your newly obtained information about this topic by citing to that source.

c) If you use any additional sources, please remember to cite them properly, and list them at the end of your paper. (Title, Author, year published (or date accessed if from an online source))

3) Once you have a DRAFT of your paper, put it away for a few minutes, hours, or a day. Come back to it when you are fresh and edit well.

4) Assignments may be hand-written OR typed and double-spaced.

Writing Assignment Prompts 15

Understanding Music – Writing Assignment #7 MUS.131.PCI1 – Course Block 7 – Packet 4 – Due 11/20

Write a one-page paper (3-4 paragraphs) about one of the Late-Romantic Era composers, using the course textbook as your source.

1) Choose one of these Late-Romantic Era composers: Wagner, Tchaikovsky, Puccini, Fauré, Debussy, or Scott Joplin.

2) Answer the question: What did you find most interesting or important about this Romantic composer?

How to do this assignment:

1) Use the textbook for your information. You may also use any other source you may have access to.

2) Please give credit to the source of your newly obtained information about this topic by citing to that source.

c) If you use any additional sources, please remember to cite them properly, and list them at the end of your paper. (Title, Author, year published (or date accessed if from an online source))

3) Once you have a DRAFT of your paper, put it away for a few minutes, hours, or a day. Come back to it when you are fresh and edit well.

4) Assignments may be hand-written OR typed and double-spaced.

Writing Assignment Prompts 16

Understanding Music – Writing Assignment #8 MUS.131.PCI1 – Course Block 8 – Packet 4 – Due 11/20

Write a one-page paper (3-4 paragraphs) about one of the 20th-Century Modern composers, using the course textbook as your source.

1) Choose one of these 20th-Century composers: Schoenberg, Stravinsky, Boulanger, Berg, Ellington, Still, Gershwin, Ives.

2) Answer the question: What did you find most interesting or important about this 20th-Century composer?

How to do this assignment:

1) Use the textbook for your information. You may also use any other source you may have access to.

2) Please give credit to the source of your newly obtained information about this topic by citing to that source.

c) If you use any additional sources, please remember to cite them properly, and list them at the end of your paper. (Title, Author, year published (or date accessed if from an online source))

3) Once you have a DRAFT of your paper, put it away for a few minutes, hours, or a day. Come back to it when you are fresh and edit well.

4) Assignments may be hand-written OR typed and double-spaced.

Writing Assignment Prompts 17

Understanding Music – Writing Assignment #9 MUS.131.PCI1 – Course Block 9 – Packet 5 – Due 12/4

Write a one-page paper (3-4 paragraphs) about one of the Postmodern composers, using the course textbook as your source.

1) Choose one of these composers: Copland, Bartók, Cage, Crumb, Bernstein, Reich, Dylan, Corigliano, Williams.

2) Answer the question: What did you find most interesting or important about this Postmodern composer?

How to do this assignment:

1) Use the textbook for your information. You may also use any other source you may have access to.

2) Please give credit to the source of your newly obtained information about this topic by citing to that source.

c) If you use any additional sources, please remember to cite them properly, and list them at the end of your paper. (Title, Author, year published (or date accessed if from an online source))

3) Once you have a DRAFT of your paper, put it away for a few minutes, hours, or a day. Come back to it when you are fresh and edit well.

4) Assignments may be hand-written OR typed and double-spaced.

Writing Assignment Prompts 18

Understanding Music – Writing Assignment #10 MUS.131.PCI1 – Course Block 10 – Packet 5 – Due 12/4

Write a one-page paper (2 or 3 paragraphs) about one of the Motown artists or producers, using the Motown Pages readings as your source.

1) Choose one of these artists or producers: Berry Gordy, Cholly Atkins, Maxine Powell, Barrett Strong, The Marvellettes, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Jackson 5, Lionel Richie, Michael Jackson.

2) Answer the question: What did you find most interesting or important about this Motown artist or producer?

3) Some questions you could answer are (but you don’t have to do all): a. How many pieces did he/she have that were hits? b. Where did he/she live and work? c. What was most interesting to you about this person? d. Why should history remember this person?

How to do this assignment:

1) Use the textbook for your information. You may also use any other source you may have access to.

2) Please give credit to the source of your newly obtained information about this topic by citing to that source.

c) If you use any additional sources, please remember to cite them properly, and list them at the end of your paper. (Title, Author, year published (or date accessed if from an online source))

3) Once you have a DRAFT of your paper, put it away for a few minutes, hours, or a day. Come back to it when you are fresh and edit well.

4) Assignments may be hand-written OR typed and double-spaced.

Writing Assignment Prompts 8/14/2019 Motown - Wikipedia

Motown

Motown Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Motown Records 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 Parent Universal Music an African American–owned label that achieved significant crossover success. company Group In the 1960s, Motown and its subsidiary labels (including Tamla Motown, Founded January 12, 1959 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 Founder Berry Gordy Jr. pop influence. Motown was the most successful record label of soul music, with Distributor(s) Republic Records a net worth totaling $61 million. During the 1960s, Motown achieved (US) spectacular success for a small label: 79 records in the top-ten of the Billboard Virgin EMI Records Hot 100 between 1960 and 1969. Following the events of the Detroit Riots of (UK) 1967 and the loss of key songwriting/production team Holland-Dozier-Holland Universal Music the same year over pay disputes, Gordy began relocating Motown to Los Group Angeles, California. The move was completed in 1972, and Motown later (worldwide) expanded into film and television production, remaining an independent Genre Various (originally company until 1994, when it was sold to PolyGram before being sold again to soul) MCA Records' successor Universal Music Group when it acquired PolyGram in Country of United States 1999.[1] origin Motown spent much of the 2000s headquartered in New York City as a part of Location Detroit, Michigan the UMG subsidiaries Universal Motown and Universal Motown Republic Chicago, Illinois Group. From 2011 to 2014, it was a part of The Island Def Jam Music Group New York City, New division of Universal Music.[4][5][6] In 2014, however, UMG announced the York dissolution of Island Def Jam, and Motown relocated back to Los Angeles to Los Angeles, operate under the Capitol Music Group, now operating out of the landmark California [7] Capitol Tower. In 2018, Motown was inducted into Rhythm & Blues Hall of Ofﬁcial Ofﬁcial website (htt Fame class at the Charles H. Wright Museum, and Motown legend Martha website p://www.motownrec Reeves received the award for the label. In 2019, Motown left Capitol Music ords.com/) Group and signed deal with Republic Records.

Contents

History Beginnings of Motown West Grand Boulevard Detroit: 1959–1972 Los Angeles: 1972–1998 Final years of the Motown label: 1999–2005 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motown 1/14 8/14/2019 Berry Gordy - Wikipedia

Berry Gordy

Berry Gordy III[1] (known professionally as Berry Gordy Jr.,[2] born Berry Gordy November 28, 1929) is an American record executive, record producer, songwriter, film producer and television producer. He is best known as the founder of the Motown record label and its subsidiaries, which was the highest- earning African-American business for decades.[3]

As a songwriter he composed or co-composed a number of hits including "Lonely Teardrops", "Shop Around" and "Do You Love Me", all of which topped the US R&B charts. As part of The Corporation he wrote a number of hit songs for The Jackson 5, including "I Want You Back" and "ABC".

As a record producer he launched the Miracles and signed acts like the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, the Four Tops, Gladys Knight & the Pips and Stevie Wonder. He was known for carefully controlling the public image, dress, manners and choreography of his acts.

In 1998 Gordy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.[4]

Gordy in 1996 Contents Background information Birth name Berry Gordy III Early years Also known as Berry Gordy Jr. Motown Record Corporation Born November 28, Relocation to Los Angeles 1929 Awards and accolades Detroit, Michigan, Statements about Motown artists U.S. Motown: The Musical Genres R&B · soul · pop · Personal life rock and roll · Vistas Stables doo-wop Film Broadway Occupation(s) Record executive · record producer In popular culture · songwriter · ﬁlm See also producer · References television External links producer Years active 1957–present Early years Labels Motown Associated acts The Jackson 5 · Berry Gordy III (also known as Berry Gordy Jr.) was the seventh of eight the Corporation · children (Fuller, Esther, Anna, Loucye, George, Gwen, Berry and Robert), born Diana Ross & the on November 28, 1929[5] in Detroit, to the middle-class family of Berry Gordy Supremes · https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berry_Gordy 1/7 8/14/2019 Berry Gordy - Wikipedia II (also known as Berry Gordy Sr.), who had relocated to Detroit from Oconee Smokey in Washington County, Georgia, in 1922.[2] The first Berry Gordy was the son of Robinson · the a white plantation owner, James Gordy, in Georgia and his female slave. His Temptations · half-brother, James, was the grandfather of President Jimmy Carter. Berry Stevie Wonder · Gordy II was lured to Detroit by the job opportunities for black people offered the Four Tops · by the booming automotive businesses.[2] Gordy dropped out of high school in the Miracles · the eleventh grade to become a professional boxer[6] in hopes of becoming rich Marvin Gaye · quickly; he boxed professionally until 1950, when he was drafted by the United Jackie Wilson · States Army for service in the Korean War. Arriving in Korea in May 1952, Martha and the Gordy was first assigned to the 58th Field Artillery Bn., 3rd Inf. Div., near Vandellas · Panmunjom. He later became a chaplain’s assistant, driving a jeep and playing Rockwell the organ at religious services at the front. His tour in the Korean War was completed in April 1953.

After his return from Korea in 1953, he married Thelma Coleman. Gordy Jr. developed his interest in music by writing songs and opening the 3-D Record Mart, a record store featuring jazz music and 3-D glasses.[7] The store was unsuccessful, and Gordy sought work at the Lincoln-Mercury plant, but his family connections put him in touch with Al Green (no relation to the singer Reverend Al Green), owner of the Flame Show Bar Talent Club, where he met the singer Jackie Wilson.[8]

In 1957 Wilson recorded "Reet Petite", a song Gordy had co-written with his sister Gwen and writer-producer Billy Davis. It became a modest hit, but had more success internationally, especially in the UK, where it reached the Top 10 and even later topped the chart on re-issue in 1986. Wilson recorded six more songs co-written by Gordy over the next two years, including "Lonely Teardrops", which topped the R&B charts and got to number 7 in the pop chart. The Gordy siblings and Davis also wrote "All I Could Do Was Cry" for Etta James at Chess Records.[9][10]

Motown Record Corporation

Gordy reinvested the profits from his songwriting success into producing. In 1957, he discovered the Miracles (originally known as the Matadors) and began building a portfolio of successful artists. In 1959, with the encouragement of Miracles leader Smokey Robinson, Gordy borrowed $800 from his family to create an R&B record company. Originally, Gordy wanted to name the new label Tammy Records, after the song recorded by Debbie Reynolds. However, that name was taken, and he chose the name Tamla Records. The company began operating on January 12, 1959.[5] "Come to Me" by Marv Johnson was issued as Tamla 101. United Artists Records picked up "Come to Me" for national distribution, as well as Johnson's more successful follow-up records such as "You Got What It Takes", co-produced by Gordy, who also received a co-writer credit, though the song was originally written and recorded by guitarist Bobby Parker for Vee Jay records a year and a half earlier. Gordy's next release was the only 45 ever issued on his Rayber label, featuring Wade Jones with an unnamed female backup group. The record did not sell well and is now one of the rarest issues from the Motown stable. Berry's third release was "Bad Girl" by the Miracles, the first release on the Motown record label. "Bad Girl" was a solid hit in 1959 after Chess Records picked it up. Barrett Strong's "Money (That's What I Want)" initially appeared on Tamla and then charted on Gordy's sister's label, Anna Records, in February 1960. It was The Miracles who gave the label its first million-selling hit single, with the 1960 Grammy Hall of Fame smash, "Shop Around" and this song, and its follow up hits,"You've Really Got a Hold on Me" (another Grammy Hall of Fame-inducted hit), "Mickey's Monkey","What's So Good About Goodbye", and "I'll Try Something New", made The Miracles the label's first stars.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berry_Gordy 2/7 8/14/2019 Berry Gordy - Wikipedia The Tamla and Motown labels were then merged into a new company, Motown Record Corporation, incorporated on April 14, 1960. In 1960, Gordy signed an unknown singer, Mary Wells, who became the fledgling label's second star, with Smokey Robinson penning her hits "You Beat Me to the Punch", "Two Lovers", and "My Guy". The Miracles' hit "Shop Around" peaked at No. 1 on the national R&B charts in late 1960 and at No. 2 on the Billboard pop charts on January 16, 1961 (No. 1 pop, Cash Box), which established Motown as an independent company worthy of notice. Later in 1961, the Marvelettes' "Please Mr. Postman" made it to the top of both charts.

Gordy's gift for identifying and bringing together musical talent, along with the careful management of his artists' public image, made Motown initially a major national and then international success. Over the next decade, he signed such artists as the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, Jimmy Ruffin, the Contours, the Four Tops, Gladys Knight & the Pips, the Commodores, the Velvelettes, Martha and the Vandellas, Stevie Wonder and the Jackson 5. Though he also signed various white acts on the label (Rare Earth, Rustix, via Berry Gordy House, known as the the Rare Earth label), he largely promoted African-American artists but Motown mansion, in Detroit's Boston-Edison Historic District[11] carefully controlled their public image, dress, manners and choreography for across-the-board appeal[12].

Relocation to Los Angeles

In 1972, Gordy relocated to Los Angeles, where he produced the commercially successful biographical drama film on Billie Holiday, Lady Sings the Blues, starring Diana Ross (who was nominated for an Academy Award), Richard Pryor, and Billy Dee Williams (cast in a role originally for Levi Stubbs of the Four Tops). Initially the studio, over Gordy's objections, rejected Williams after several screen tests. However, Gordy, known for his tenacity, eventually prevailed, and the film established Williams as a major movie star. Berry Gordy soon after produced and directed Mahogany,[13] also starring Ross and Williams. In 1985, he produced the cult martial arts film The Last Dragon, which starred martial artist Taimak and one of Prince's proteges, Vanity.

Although Motown continued to produce major hits throughout the 1970s and 1980s by artists including the Jacksons, Rick James, Commodores, Lionel Richie and long-term signings Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson, the record company was no longer the major force it had been. Gordy sold his interests in Motown Records to MCA and Boston Ventures on June 28, 1988, for $61 million. He later sold most of his interests in Jobete publishing to EMI Publishing. Gordy wrote or co- wrote 240 of the approximately 15,000 songs in Motown's Jobete music catalogue. However, the true test of the label's worth would come a few years later, when Polygram paid over $330 million (Diana Ross was given shares in this version of the label) for the Motown catalog.

Gordy published an autobiography, To Be Loved, in 1994.

Awards and accolades

Gordy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.[4]

Gordy was inducted into the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame in 1998.

In 2009, Berry Gordy was inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame.[14]

Gordy received the Songwriters Hall of Fame's Pioneer Award on June 13, 2013. He is the first living individual to receive the honor.[15]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berry_Gordy 3/7 8/14/2019 Berry Gordy - Wikipedia In 2016, Gordy received the National Medal of Arts from President Obama for "helping to create a trailblazing new sound in American music. As a record producer and songwriter, he helped build Motown, launching the music careers of countless legendary artists. His unique sound helped shape our Nation's story."[16]

Statements about Motown artists

Following the funeral of Marvin Gaye on April 5, 1984, Gordy declared Gaye "the greatest of his time" and stated the singer "had no musical equals", comparing his talents to those of Billie Holiday.[17]

On March 20, 2009, Gordy was in Hollywood to pay tribute to his first group and first million-selling act, the Miracles, when the members received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Speaking in tribute to the group, Gordy said: "Without the Miracles, Motown would not be the Motown it is today."[18][19][20][21]

At the age of 79, Gordy spoke at the memorial service for Michael Jackson in Los Angeles, on July 7, 2009. He suggested that "The King of Pop" was perhaps not the best description for Jackson in light of his achievements, referring to him instead as "the greatest entertainer that ever lived."

Motow n: The Musica l

On May 15, 2011, it was announced that Gordy was developing a Broadway musical about Motown. The show is said to be an account of events of the 1960s and how they shaped the creation of the label. Gordy hoped that the musical would improve the reputation of Motown Records and clear up any misconceptions regarding the label's demise.[22]

Motown: The Musical began previews at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on March 11, 2013, and began regular performances there on April 14.[23] The musical closed in January 2015.[24]

The UK version of Motown the Musical opened in the West End in January 2016. Berry Gordy went to the opening night.

Personal life

Gordy, who was married and divorced three times, has eight children: His publishing company, Jobete, was named after his three eldest children: Joy, Berry and Terry.

He had three children with his first wife, Thelma Coleman, whom he married in 1953 (they were divorced in 1959):

Hazel Joy Gordy (born August 24, 1954), was once married to Jermaine Jackson. Berry Gordy IV (born October 1955), father to Skyler Austen Gordy. Terry James Gordy (born August 1956). In the spring of 1960 he married Raynoma Mayberry Liles (they were divorced in 1964).[25][26] They had one child:

Kerry Gordy (born June 25, 1959). With Jeana Jackson, Gordy had one daughter:

Sherry Gordy (born May 23, 1960).[27] With his then-mistress Margaret Norton, Gordy had a son who would later become more popularly known as Motown musician Rockwell:

Kennedy William Gordy (born March 15, 1964).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berry_Gordy 4/7 8/14/2019 Cholly Atkins - Wikipedia

Cholly Atkins

Charles "Cholly" Atkins (September 30, 1913 – April 19, 2003)[2] was an Cholly Atkins American dancer and vaudeville performer, who later became noted as the house choreographer for the various artists on the Motown label.

Contents

Biography Death Family References General Inline External links Selected videos Born Charles Sylvan Atkinson Biography September 30, 1913 Pratt City, Alabama, Born Charles Sylvan Atkinson, a native of Pratt City, Alabama, Cholly USA Atkins began dancing in the late 1930s before entering military service in 1942 Died April 19, 2003 during World War II. Upon leaving the U.S. Army. Atkins first found fame as (aged 89) one-half of Atkins & Coles, a top vaudeville dance act with partner Charles Las Vegas, Nevada, "Honi" Coles, debuting at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York. Atkins and USA Coles toured extensively nationally and internationally, performing in showcases with major jazz and swing bands, including those led by Louis Other names "The Man with the [1] Armstrong, Charlie Barnet, Count Basie, Cab Calloway, and Lionel Hampton. Moves" The pair also performed from 1949 to 1952 on Broadway in the stage Occupation Choreographer, production, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.[3] dancer Spouse(s) Catherine Williams In the mid-1950s, Cholly began teaching dance steps to the Cadillacs, Shirelles, (born 1914) Moonglows, Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers, Little Anthony & The Imperials, and other vocal groups.[4][5] His dance steps were a new style coined "vocal Dottie Saulters choreography", as singers enhanced their vocal performances with stylish (1922–1962) combinations of gestures and steps. After working as a freelance choreographer Maye Harrison in 1962 for The Miracles, Atkins was hired by Berry Gordy to work as a Motown (1918-2004) choreographer in 1964, and set about developing the routines that would later Awards 1989: Tony: Best become the trademark moves of other Motown acts like The Supremes, The Choreography Temptations (Atkins was also featured in the video for their hit single "Lady Black and Blue Soul"), The Four Tops, The Marvelettes, Gladys Knight & The Pips and others.[6] Atkins would, in fact, continue working with Motown artists well into

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cholly_Atkins 1/3 8/14/2019 Cholly Atkins - Wikipedia the 1980s. He choreographed for non-Motown artists as well, namely the dance routines of The Cadillacs in the 1950s, and the Sylvers, as well as The O'Jays during the mid-1970s, appearing with them on an episode of Soul Train. He also worked with Detroit rock band DC Drive and is featured in the "You Need Love" video.

In 1989, Atkins received a Tony Award for choreographing the Broadway show Black and Blue. He also accepted a 1993 National Endowment for the Arts three-year fellowship to tour colleges and universities teaching vocal choreography. He continued to teach dance in Las Vegas until February 2003.

Death

Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March 2003, Atkins died of the cancer several weeks later on April 19, 2003 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was five months short of his 90th birthday.

Family

Marriages

Atkins married Catherine Gayle Williams (maiden; born 1914) November 27, 1936, in Los Angeles. They were divorced in 1944. She had been a dancer at the chorus line of Cotton Club productions. After leaving show business in 1942, Williams went on to earn a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Iowa and has had a distinguished career in Iowa in social work.

1932: Valedictorian, North High School, Des Moines 1980: Williams was inducted into the Iowa Women's Hall of Fame November 21, 2014: Williams was honored by the Iowa House of Representatives for her life's work and in celebration of her 100th birthday[7]

Atkins married Dorothy ("Dottie") Lee Saulters (maiden; 1922–1962) September 2, 1944, in Wilmington, Delaware, while he was in the U.S. Army. Dottie, who had become his dance partner in 1942, had been married to Honi Coles from 1936 to 1944; Coles had been a longtime dance partner in shows with Atkins, and continued to perform with Atkins[8] Atkins married Maye Ollie Harrison (1918–2004) and remained married to her until his death.

References

General

Douglas Martin (2003-04-23). "Cholly Atkins, 89, Dancer and Choreographer" (https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage. html?res=9D0CEFD6113AF930A15757C0A9659C8B63). New York Times. Retrieved 2008-08-13. Lewis Segal (2003-04-23). "Cholly Atkins, 89; Tap Dancer, Motown Stars' Choreographer". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2015-09-03.

Inline

1. Rye, Howard. "GroveOnline: Atkins, Cholly" (http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/97815 61592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-2000506400). OCLC 5104947759 (https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/510494 7759). Retrieved 28 January 2019. 2. "Alabama Hall of Music | Charles "Cholly" Atkins" (https://web.archive.org/web/20110222144519/http://www.alamhof.o rg//charlesatkins.html). Archived from the original (http://www.alamhof.org//charlesatkins.html) on 22 February 2011. Retrieved 28 January 2019. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cholly_Atkins 2/3 8/14/2019 Maxine Powell - Wikipedia

Maxine Powell

Maxine Powell (May 30, 1915 – October 14, 2013) was an American etiquette Maxine Powell instructor and talent agent. She taught grooming, poise, and social graces to many recording artists at Motown in the 1960s.[1][2][3][4] Born Maxine Blair May 30, 1915 Born Maxine Blair in Texarkana, Texas, she was raised by her aunt in Texarkana, Texas, Chicago, Illinois. She graduated from Hyde Park High School in 1933, attended United States Madam C.J. Walker's School of Beauty Culture, and worked as a manicurist to Died October 14, 2013 [5] finance her acting studies; she also studied elocution and dance. In the early (aged 98) 1940s she worked as a model and as a personal maid, and she developed a one- Southﬁeld, Michigan, woman show, An Evening with Maxine Powell, which she performed with a United States group at the Chicago Theatre.[5] Occupation Etiquette instructor, She moved to Detroit, Michigan, in 1945 and taught self-improvement and talent agent modeling classes before opening the Maxine Powell Finishing and Modeling Known for Instructing Motown School in 1951. She bought a large house in 1953, which became the largest artists banquet facility in Detroit for African Americans, and worked as a talent agent, bringing black productions and artists to Detroit theaters and placing black models in advertising campaigns.[2][5] Around this time she hired a printing business to prepare programs for her annual Las Vegas–style fashion show. The business was operated by the family of Berry Gordy. She and Gordy became friends, and in the early 1960s he asked her opinion of the young artists that had signed with his record company, Motown.[2]

In 1964, she closed her school to be a consultant to Motown's talent. When Motown expanded into new offices in 1966, she was hired to work in the company's department of artist personal development, teaching artists such as Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Marvin Gaye, the Jackson 5 and the Supremes, whose Mary Wilson stated Powell taught them more than stage presence, but "tools for us as human beings". In Powell's words, she turned them into performers "fit for kings and queens."[1] Powell left Motown in 1969 and taught personal development courses from 1971 until 1985 at Wayne County Community College.[1][2][3][4]

On May 31, 2013, Powell suffered a fall. Her health steadily declined until her death of natural causes on October 14, 2013, at the age of 98 at Providence Hospital in Southfield, Michigan.[1][3][4]

References

1. Maxine Powell, mentor to Motown's stars, dies at 98 (http://www.freep.com/article/20131014/ENT04/310140153/maxi ne-powell-dies-motown) 2. Gale Contemporary Black Biography: Maxine Powell (http://www.answers.com/topic/maxine-powell) 3. Maxine Powell, Motown Charm Coach, Dies at 98 (http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5755462/maxine-powell-mo town-charm-coach-dies-at-98) 4. Maxine Powell Obituary (http://www.legacy.com/ns/obituary.aspx?n=maxine-powell&pid=167544583) 5. Entertainment Makers: Maxine Powell (http://www.thehistorymakers.com/biography/maxine-powell-40)

External links https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maxine_Powell 1/2 8/14/2019 Barrett Strong - Wikipedia

Barrett Strong

Barrett Strong (born February 5, 1941) is an American singer and songwriter. Barrett Strong Strong was the first artist to record a hit for Motown, although he is best known for his work as a songwriter, particularly in association with producer Norman Whitfield.[1] Among his most famous work at Motown, Strong wrote the lyrics for many of the songs recorded by the Temptations.

He was born in West Point, Mississippi.[2]

Contents

His career See also Discography Albums Strong in 1996 Singles Background information References Born February 5, 1941 External links West Point, Mississippi, U.S. Genres Rhythm and His career blues · soul Strong was among the first artists signed to Berry Gordy's fledgling label, Occupation(s) Singer, Tamla Records, and was the performer on the company's first hit, "Money songwriter, (That's What I Want)", which reached No. 2 US R&B in 1960. The single was musician originally released on Tamla, Motown's first label, but was then leased to the Instruments Vocals, piano Anna label as it was getting airplay, and it was on the Anna label that it was a Years active 1959–present hit. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA.[3] "Money"[2] was later recorded by a number of acts, including the Beatles, the Labels Motown (Tamla), Rolling Stones, the Kingsmen, Richard Wylie and His Band, Jerry Lee Lewis, Anna, Epic, the Searchers, the Flying Lizards, the Sonics and Buddy Guy. Strong claims that Capitol, he co-wrote "Money" with Gordy and Janie Bradford; his name appears on the independent song's original copyright registration with the United States Copyright Office. Associated acts The Temptations, Gordy disputed these claims, stating that Strong's name was only included Marvin Gaye, because of a clerical error.[4] Gladys Knight & the Pips, Edwin In the mid 1960s, Strong became a Motown writer lyricist, teaming with Starr, The producer Norman Whitfield. Together, they wrote some of the most successful Undisputed Truth and critically acclaimed soul songs ever to be released by Motown, including "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" by both Marvin Gaye and Gladys Knight & the Pips; "War" by Edwin Starr; "Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)" by Paul Young; "Smiling Faces Sometimes" by the Undisputed Truth; and the long line of "psychedelic soul" records by the Temptations, including "Cloud Nine", "I Can't Get Next to You", "Psychedelic Shack", https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrett_Strong 1/3 8/14/2019 Barrett Strong - Wikipedia "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)", and "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone", amongst others. Strong received a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song in 1973 for "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone". Strong and Whitfield also co-wrote the ballad "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)", a 1971 Billboard No. 1 that also marked the last Temptations single to feature original members Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams.

After Motown moved its operations base from Detroit, Michigan, to Los Angeles, California, Strong left the label and resumed his singing career. He signed with Epic in 1972. Strong left the label for Capitol Records, where he recorded two albums in the 1970s.[2]

In the 1980s, Strong recorded "Rock It Easy" on an independent label, co-wrote the Dells' "Stay in My Corner," and wrote "You Can Depend on Me", which appeared on their The Second Time album (1988).[2] He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2004.[5]

Strong has re-released his latest album, Stronghold II, which he wrote and composed in collaboration with rocker/songwriter Eliza Neals in 2008, in digital format only.[6]

In 2010, Strong appeared in "Misery", his first music video in his fifty years of recording music, co-produced by Eliza Neals and Martin "Tino" Gross with Strong at the helm.[7]

See also

List of 1960s one-hit wonders in the United States

Discography

Albums

1975: Stronghold (No. 47 – Billboard Black Albums chart)[2] 1976: Live & Love 1987: Love Is You 2008: Stronghold II

Singles

1959: "Let's Rock" / "Do the Very Best You Can" – Tamla 54022 1959: "Money (That's What I Want)" / "Oh I Apologize" (No. 23 Pop / No. 2 R&B) – Tamla 54027[8] (re-released as Anna 1111) 1960: "Yes, No, Maybe So" / "You Knows What To Do" – Tamla 54029[9] (re-released as Anna 1116) 1960: "Whirlwind" (with The Rayber Voices)" / "I'm Gonna Cry (If You Quit Me)" – Tamla 54033[10] 1961: "Money and Me" / "You Got What It Takes" - Tamla 54035 1961: "Misery" / "Two Wrongs Don't Make a Right" - Tamla 54043 1962: "Seven Sins" / "What Went Wrong" – ATCO 6225[11] 1964: "Make Up Your Mind" / "I Better Run" – Tollie 9023 1972: "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" – The Temptations, (US #1, UK #8) originally recorded by the Undisputed Truth 1973: "Stand Up and Cheer for the Preacher" / (instrumental version) – Epic 5-11011[12] 1975: "Surrender" / "There's Something About You" – Capitol 4120[13] 1975: "Is It True" / "Anywhere" – Capitol 4052[14] 1976: "Man Up In the Sky" / "Gonna Make It Right" - Capitol 4223 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrett_Strong 2/3 8/14/2019 The Marvelettes - Wikipedia

The Marvelettes

The Marvelettes was an American girl group that achieved popularity in the The Marvelettes early- to mid-1960s. They consisted of schoolmates Gladys Horton, Katherine Anderson (now Schaffner), Georgeanna Tillman (later Gordon), Juanita Cowart (now Cowart Motley), and Georgia Dobbins, who was replaced by Wanda Young (now Rogers) prior to the group signing their first deal. They were the first major successful act of Motown Records after the Miracles and its first significantly successful girl group after the release of the 1961 number-one single, "Please Mr. Postman", one of the first number-one singles recorded by an all-female vocal group and the first by a Motown recording act.

Founded in 1960 while the group's founding members performed together at their glee club at Inkster High School in Inkster, Michigan, they signed to Motown's Tamla label in 1961. Some of the group's early hits were written by band members and some of Motown's rising singer-songwriters such as Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye, who played drums on a majority of their The Marvelettes in a 1963 early recordings. Despite their early successes, the group was eclipsed in promotional photo. Clockwise from popularity by groups like the Supremes, with whom they shared an intense top left: Gladys Horton, Katherine rivalry. Anderson, Georgeanna Tillman, and Nevertheless, they managed a major comeback in 1966 with "Don't Mess with Wanda Young Bill", along with several other hits. They struggled with problems of poor Background information promotion from Motown, health issues and substance abuse with Cowart the Also known as The Casinyets, first to leave in 1963, followed by Georgeanna Tillman in 1965, and Gladys The Marvels, The Horton in 1967. The group ceased performing together in 1969 and, following Darnells the release of The Return of the Marvelettes in 1970, featuring only Wanda Origin Inkster, Michigan, Rogers, disbanded for good, with both Rogers and Katherine Anderson leaving U.S. the music business. Genres R&B, rock and roll, The group has received several honors including induction into the Vocal doo-wop, pop, soul Group Hall of Fame, as well as receiving the Pioneer Award from the Rhythm Years active 1960–1970 and Blues Foundation. In 2005, two of the group's most successful recordings, "Please Mr. Postman" and "Don't Mess with Bill" earned million-selling Gold Labels Tamla, Motown singles from the RIAA. On August 17, 2013, in Cleveland, Ohio, at Cleveland Past members Gladys Horton State University, the Marvelettes were inducted into the 1st class of the Official (deceased) Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame. Katherine Anderson Georgeanna Contents Tillman (deceased) History Wanda Rogers Origins and initial success Ann Bogan The departure of Georgeanna Tillman and renewed success Juanita Cowart Decline https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Marvelettes 1/9 8/14/2019 Smokey Robinson - Wikipedia

Smokey Robinson

William "Smokey" Robinson Jr. (born February 19, 1940) is an American Smokey Robinson singer, songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson was the founder and frontman of the Motown vocal group the Miracles, for which he was also chief songwriter and producer. Robinson led the group from its 1955 origins as "the Five Chimes" until 1972 when he announced a retirement from the group to focus on his role as Motown's vice president.

However, Robinson returned to the music industry as a solo artist the following year. Following the sale of Motown Records in 1988, Robinson left the company in 1990. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. Robinson was awarded the 2016 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for his lifetime contributions to popular music.[1][2]

Contents

Early life and early career

Career Robinson in March 2018 The Miracles and Motown Solo career Background information Personal life Birth name William Robinson "Smokey" nickname Jr. Discography Born February 19, Awards and accolades 1940 See also Detroit, Michigan, U.S. References Further reading Genres R&B · soul · pop External links Occupation(s) Singer · songwriter · record producer · Early life and early career record executive

Smokey Robinson was born to an African-American father and a mother of Instruments Vocals · piano · African-American and French ancestry into a poor family in the North End area guitar of Detroit. His uncle Claude gave him the nickname "Smokey Joe" when he was Years active 1955–present [3] a child. He attended Northern High School, where he was above average Labels Motown · academically and a keen athlete, though his main interest was music and he Universal · SBK · formed a doo-wop group named the Five Chimes. At one point, he and Aretha Liquid 8 · Robso Franklin lived several houses from each other on Belmont; he once said he has Associated acts The Miracles · known Franklin since she was about five.[4] The Temptations · Mary Wells · https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smokey_Robinson 1/7 8/14/2019 Smokey Robinson - Wikipedia Robinson said his interest in music started after hearing the groups Nolan Aretha Franklin · Strong & the Diablos and Billy Ward and his Dominoes on the radio as a child. Joss Stone · Robinson later listed Barrett Strong, a Detroit native, as a strong vocal Timothy Bloom · influence. In 1955, he formed the first lineup of the Five Chimes with childhood Marvin Gaye · friend Ronald White and classmate Pete Moore. Two years later, in 1957, they The Marvelettes · were renamed the Matadors and included Bobby Rogers. Another member, The Supremes · Emerson Rogers, was replaced by Bobby's cousin Claudette Rogers. The group's Rick James guitarist, Marv Tarplin, joined them sometime in 1958. The Matadors began Website Ofﬁcial website touring Detroit venues around this time. They later changed their name to the (http://www.smok Miracles. eyrobinson.com) Smokey Career Robinson Wines (http://www.smok eyrobinsonwines. The Miracles and Motown com) In August 1957, Robinson and the Miracles met songwriter Berry Gordy after a failed audition for Brunswick Records. At that time during the audition, Robinson had brought along with him a "Big 10" notebook with 100 songs he wrote while in high school. Gordy was impressed with Robinson's vocals and even more impressed with Robinson's ambitious songwriting. With his help, the Miracles released their first single, "Got a Job", an answer song to the Silhouettes' hit single "Get a Job"[5] on End Records. It was the beginning of a long and successful collaboration. During this time, Robinson attended college and started classes in January 1959, studying electrical engineering.[6] Robinson dropped out after only two months following the Miracles' release of their first record.[6]

Gordy formed Tamla Records which was later reincorporated as Motown. The Miracles became one of the first acts signed to the label. In point of fact, they had actually been with Gordy since before the formation of Motown Records.[7] In late 1960, the group recorded their first hit single, "Shop Around", which became Motown's first million-selling hit record.[5] Between 1960 and 1970, Robinson would produce 26 top forty hits with the Miracles as lead singer, chief songwriter and producer, including several top ten hits such as "You've Really Got a Hold on Me",[5] "Mickey's Monkey", "I Second That Emotion", "Baby Baby Don't Cry" and the group's only number-one hit during their Robinson years, "The Tears of a Clown". Other notable hits such as "Ooo Baby Baby", "Going to a Go-Go", "The Tracks of My Tears", "(Come Round Here) I'm The One You Need", "The Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage" and "More Love" peaked in the top twenty. In 1965, the Miracles were the first Motown group to change their name when they released their 1965 album Going to a Go-Go as Smokey Robinson & the Miracles.

Between 1962 and 1966, Robinson was also one of the major songwriters and producers for Motown, penning many hit singles such as "Two Lovers",[5] "The One Who Really Loves You", "You Beat Me to the Punch" and "My Guy" for Mary Wells; "The Way You Do The Things You Do", "My Girl",[5] "Since I Lost My Baby" and "Get Ready" for the Temptations; "When I'm Gone" and "Operator" for Brenda Holloway; "Don't Mess With Bill", "The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game" and "My Baby Must Be a Magician" for the Marvelettes; and "I'll Be Doggone" and "Ain't That Peculiar" for Marvin Gaye. After the arrival of Holland–Dozier–Holland and the team of Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong, he was eclipsed as a top writer and producer for the label, and other Motown artists such as Gaye and Stevie Wonder began to compose more original material. Later in his career, Robinson wrote lyrics and music for the Contours such as "First I Look at the Purse", as well as the Four Tops' "Still Water" and The Supremes' "Floy Joy". The other Miracles — Bobby Rogers,Pete Moore, Ronnie White, and Marv Tarplin — collaborated with him as writers on many of these hits, and Pete Moore also doubled as co-producer with Robinson on several of them.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smokey_Robinson 2/7 8/14/2019 Smokey Robinson - Wikipedia By 1969, Robinson wanted to retire from touring to focus on raising his two children with his wife Claudette and on his duties as Motown's vice president, a job he had taken on by the mid-1960s after Esther Gordy Edwards had left the position. However, the success of the group's "Tears of a Clown" made Robinson stay with the group until 1972. Robinson's last performance with the group was in July 1972 in Washington, D.C.

Solo career After a year of retirement, Robinson announced his comeback with the release of the eponymous Smokey album, in 1973. The album included the Miracles tribute song, "Sweet Harmony" and the hit ballad "Baby Come Close". In 1974, Robinson's second album, Pure Smokey, was released but failed to produce hits. Robinson struggled to compete with his former collaborators Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and former Temptations member Eddie Kendricks, as all three had multiple hit singles during this period. Former Beatle George Harrison featured the track "Pure Smokey" on his 1976 album Thirty Three & 1/3 as a tribute to Robinson. (Harrison's fellow Beatles John Lennon and Paul McCartney were also fans of Robinson's songwriting and the group covered "You Really Gotta Hold on Me" on their second UK album With the Beatles and US album The Beatles' Second Album, respectively).

Robinson answered his critics the following year with A Quiet Storm, released in 1975. The album launched three singles – the number-one R&B hit "Baby That's Backatcha", "The Agony & The Ecstasy" and "Quiet Storm". However, Robinson's solo career suffered from his work as Motown's vice president, and Robinson in concert at the Chumash his own music took the backseat. As a result, several albums including Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, Smokey's Family Robinson, Deep in My Soul, Love Breeze and Smokin, saw California, 2006 poor promotion and received bad reviews. At this point Robinson relied on other writers and producers to help him with his albums.

Following these albums, Robinson got out of a writer's block after his close collaborator Marv Tarplin, who joined him on the road in 1973 after Robinson left the Miracles, presented him a tune he had composed on his guitar. Robinson later wrote the lyrics that became his first solo top ten Pop single, "Cruisin'". The song hit number one in Cash Box and peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100. It also became his first solo number one in New Zealand. Robinson would follow a similar approach with his next album, Warm Thoughts, which produced another top 40 hit, "Let Me Be the Clock", though it didn't repeat the success of "Cruisin'".

In 1981, Robinson topped the charts again with another sensual ballad, "Being with You", which was another number one hit in Cash Box and peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. It also hit number one in the United Kingdom, becoming his most successful single to date. The Gold-plus parent album sparked a partnership with George Tobin and with Tobin, Robinson released his next several Motown albums, Yes It's You Lady, which produced the hits, "Tell Me Tomorrow", "Touch the Sky" and "Essar". In 1983, Robinson teamed up with fellow Motown label mate Rick James recording the R&B ballad, "Ebony Eyes".

In 1987, following a period of personal and professional issues, Robinson made a comeback with the album, One Heartbeat and the singles, "Just to See Her" and "One Heartbeat", which were Top 10 hits on Billboard's Pop, Soul, and Adult Contemporary charts. They were aided by hugely popular music videos. "Just to See Her" won Robinson his first Grammy Award in 1988.[8] The album became one of his most successful ever, selling over 900,000 copies in the United States alone. In the same year, Robinson released One Heartbeat, the UK group ABC released a tribute song, "When https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smokey_Robinson 3/7 8/14/2019 Smokey Robinson - Wikipedia Smokey Sings" and he was inducted as a solo artist to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, later igniting controversy as the committee had inducted only Robinson and not members of his group, the Miracles, which Robinson was personally offended by.[9][10] In 2012, however, the committee rectified the mistake announcing that the group would be inducted on their own merit. Though Robinson was not listed as an inductee, he was due to induct his former group at the ceremony in April 2012.

After Motown was sold off to MCA in 1988, Robinson relinquished his position as vice president. Following the release of the album, Love Smokey, in 1990, Robinson left Motown for a deal with SBK Records in 1991. However, the album, Double Good Everything failed to chart. Robinson remained virtually quiet during the nineties (though he would make a notable cameo appearance in The Temptations 1998 miniseries), making a brief comeback in 1999 when he re-signed with Motown and issued the album, Intimate, which included the song "Easy to Love". In 2003, he once again split ties with Motown, releasing the gospel album, Food for the Soul on Liquid 8 Records in 2004. In 2004 Robinson sang the main title theme song "Colorful World" to the American children's animated series ToddWorld for Discovery Kids, TLC and Mike Young Productions. Two years later, Robinson released the standards album, Timeless Love, in 2006 on Universal Records. In 2009, he issued the album, Time Flies When You're Having Fun on his own label, Robso Records. It reached number 59 on the Billboard album chart, his highest showing since One Heartbeat. He subsequently released "Now And Then" in 2010, which peaked at number 131.

Smokey & Friends was released in mid-August 2014. It was an album of duets, including ones with Elton John, Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor. It reached number 12 on the Billboard album chart.

Christmas Everyday (an Amazon Original) is Robinson's 1st Post-Miracles Christmas album, and was released on Nov 10th 2017. In 2018, he appeared on an episode of CMT Crossroads alongside country singer Cam.

Robinson is currently managed by Geffen Management Group, a talent management company founded by Jeremy Geffen, and whose artists under management include Jacob Latimore and the estate of the late singer/songwriter Marvin Gaye.

On July 31, 2018, Robinson appeared as a special guest on the Fox network's show Beat Shazam as a special guest.[11]

Personal life

Robinson is married to Frances Gladney, after they wed in May 2002. They own a home in Pittsburgh and currently use it as a winery.[12]

Robinson married his fellow Miracles member Claudette Rogers in 1959. The couple had two children, son Berry Robinson (born 1968), named after Motown's first label founder Berry Gordy, and daughter Tamla Robinson (born 1971), named after the original "Tamla" label set up by Gordy that would eventually become Motown. Robinson had another son, Trey (born 1984), with another woman, during his marriage to Claudette. After Robinson admitted this, he filed for legal separation and later divorce, which was granted in 1986. The Robinsons had separated once before, in 1974, and Robinson conducted an extramarital affair that became the concept of the song, "The Agony & The Ecstasy", later featured on A Quiet Storm.[13]

Robinson has not eaten red meat since 1972.[14] He practices Transcendental Meditation.[14][15] Robinson is notable for having golden green eyes, which he attributes to having been passed down from his French great-grandmother.[16]

"Smokey" nickname

In 2012, Robinson explained:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smokey_Robinson 4/7 8/14/2019 Smokey Robinson - Wikipedia My Uncle Claude was my favorite uncle, he was also my godfather. He and I were really, really close. He used to take me to see cowboy movies all the time when I was a little boy because I loved cowboy movies. He got a cowboy name for me, which was Smokey Joe. So from the time I was three years old if people asked me what my name was I didn't tell them my name was William, I told them my name was Smokey Joe. That's what everyone called me until I was about 12 and then I dropped the Joe part. I've heard that story about him giving it to me because I'm a light skinned Black man but that's not true.[17]

Discography

Awards and accolades

In 1987, Robinson was inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. That same year, he was awarded an individual star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.[18] Smokey Robinson's single "Just to See Her"" from the One Heartbeat album was awarded the 1988 Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. This was Robinson's first Grammy Award.[8] One year later, in 1989, he was inducted to the Songwriter's Hall of Fame. In 1993, Robinson was awarded a medal at the National Medal of Arts. Two years before, he won the Heritage Award at the Soul Train Music Awards. In 2005, Smokey Robinson was voted into the [19] Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame. At its 138th Conductor Zubin Mehta laughs with singers Dolly Commencement Convocation in May 2006, Howard University Parton and Robinson during a reception for the conferred on Robinson the degree of Doctor of Music, honoris Kennedy Center honorees in the East Room of causa. In December 2006 Robinson was one of five Kennedy the White House on Sunday, December 3, 2006. Center honorees, along with Dolly Parton, Zubin Mehta, Steven Spielberg and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

On March 20, 2009, the Miracles were finally honored as a group with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Smokey was present with original Miracles members Bobby Rogers, Pete Moore, (Bobby's cousin) Claudette Rogers, and Gloria White, accepting for her husband, the late Ronnie White, whose daughter Pamela and granddaughter Maya were there representing him as well. Smokey's replacement, 1970s Miracles lead singer Billy Griffin, was also honored.[20]

Controversially, original Miracle Marv Tarplin was not honored, against the wishes of his fellow Miracles and the group's fans, who felt that he should have also been there to share the honor. Later, Tarplin did receive his star. He was also inducted with the rest of the original Miracles, Bobby Rogers, Pete Moore, Ronnie White, and Claudette Robinson, into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012, 25 years after Robinson's controversial solo induction in 1987. He was also awarded Society of Singers Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.[20]

In 2009, Smokey Robinson received an honorary doctorate degree – along with Linda Ronstadt – and gave a commencement speech at Berklee College of Music's commencement ceremony. In 2015, he was given a BET Lifetime Achievement Award.

In 2016, Robinson received the Library of Congress' Gershwin Prize for Popular Song; and, on August 21, 2016, Smokey Robinson was inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in his hometown of Detroit, Michigan.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smokey_Robinson 5/7 8/14/2019 Diana Ross - Wikipedia

Diana Ross

Diana Ross (born March 26, 1944) is an American singer, actress, and record Diana Ross producer. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Ross rose to fame as the lead singer of the vocal group the Supremes, which, during the 1960s, became Motown's most successful act, and are the best charting girl group in US history,[1] as well as one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time. The group released a record-setting twelve number-one hit singles on the US Billboard Hot 100, including "Where Did Our Love Go", "Baby Love", "Come See About Me", "Stop! In the Name of Love", "You Can't Hurry Love", "You Keep Me Hangin' On", "Love Child", and "Someday We'll Be Together".

Following her departure from the Supremes in 1970, Ross released her eponymous debut solo album that same year, featuring the number-one Pop hit "Ain't No Mountain High Enough". She later released the album Touch Me in the Morning in 1973; its title track reached number 1, as her second solo No. 1 hit. She continued a successful solo career through the 1970s, which included Ross in 1976 hit albums like Mahogany and Diana Ross and their number-one hit singles, Born Diana Ross "Theme from Mahogany" and "Love Hangover", respectively. Her 1980 album March 26, 1944 Diana produced another number-one single, "Upside Down", as well as the Detroit, Michigan, international hit "I'm Coming Out". Ross' final single with Motown during her U.S. initial run with the company achieved her sixth and final US number-one Pop hit, the duet "Endless Love" featuring Lionel Richie, whose solo career was Residence Greenwich, launched with its success. Connecticut, U.S. Los Angeles, Ross has also ventured into acting, with a Golden Globe Award and Academy California, U.S. Award-nominated performance for her performance in the film Lady Sings the Occupation Singer · actress · Blues (1972); she recorded its soundtrack, which became a number-one hit. She record producer also starred in two other feature films, Mahogany (1975) and The Wiz (1978), Years active 1959–present later acting in the television films Out of Darkness (1994), for which she also was nominated for a Golden Globe Award, and Double Platinum (1999). Spouse(s) Robert Ellis Silberstein Ross was named the "Female Entertainer of the Century" by Billboard (m. 1971; div. 1977) magazine. In 1993, the Guinness Book of World Records declared Ross the Arne Næss Jr. most successful female music artist in history, due to her success in the United (m. 1986; States and United Kingdom for having more hits than any female artist in the div. 2000) charts, with a career total of 70 hit singles with her work with the Supremes Children 5, including: and as a solo artist. In 1988, Ross was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Rhonda Ross Fame as member of the Supremes, alongside Mary Wilson and Florence Kendrick Ballard. She was the recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors in 2007, and the Tracee Ellis Ross Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016. Evan Ross Musical career Genres R&B · soul · https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diana_Ross 1/24 8/14/2019 Diana Ross - Wikipedia She is a 12-time Grammy nominee, never earning a competitive honor, but disco · pop · later became the recipient of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in dance [2] 2012. In December 2016, Billboard magazine named her the 50th most Instruments Vocals · piano successful dance artist of all time.[3] In Billboard magazine's Greatest of All Labels Lu Pine · Motown Time Hot 100 Artists chart, she ranked 16th as the lead singer of the Supremes · RCA · EMI and 26th as a solo artist. In December 2018, Diana Ross consolidated her status as a dance diva by ranking #3 in the Billboard Dance Club Songs Artists Associated acts The Primettes · year-end chart.[4] The Supremes · The Temptations · Marvin Gaye · Lionel Richie · Contents Westlife Early life Career The Supremes: 1959–1970 Solo career, Touch Me in the Morning, Duets album, Lady Sings the Blues soundtrack and diana: 1970–1981 Film career: 1972–1999 Continued solo career and development: 1981–1999 Supremes reunions, Return to Love and 2002 solo tour Later career: 2004–present Personal life Relationships and family Religious views 2002 arrest Legacy Awards and nominations Discography Studio albums Soundtrack albums Live albums Filmography Television Stage Tours Bibliography See also References External links

Early life

Diana Ross was born at the Hutzel Women's Hospital in Detroit on March 26, 1944.[5][6] She was the second eldest child for Ernestine (née Moten; January 27, 1916 – October 9, 1984) and Fred Ross, Sr. (July 4, 1920 – November 21, 2007). Ross's older sister is American physician Barbara Ross-Lee.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diana_Ross 2/24 8/14/2019 Marvin Gaye - Wikipedia

Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye (born Marvin Pentz Gay Jr.; April 2, 1939 – April 1, Marvin Gaye 1984)[1] was an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He helped to shape the sound of Motown in the 1960s, first as an in-house session player and later as a solo artist with a string of hits, earning him the nicknames "Prince of Motown" and "Prince of Soul".

Gaye's Motown hits include "Ain't That Peculiar", "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)", and "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", and duet recordings with Mary Wells, Kim Weston, Diana Ross, and Tammi Terrell. During the 1970s, he recorded the albums What's Going On and Let's Get It On and became one of the first artists in Motown, along with Stevie Wonder, to break away from the reins of a production company. His later recordings influenced several contemporary R&B subgenres, such as quiet storm and neo soul.[2] Following a period in Europe as a tax exile in the early 1980s, he released the 1982 hit "Sexual Healing", which won him his first Grammy [3] Awards, and its parent album Midnight Love. Gaye's last television Gaye in 1973 appearances were at the 1983 NBA All-Star Game, where he sung "The Star- Background information Spangled Banner", Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever and on Soul Train which was his third and final appearance.[4] Birth name Marvin Pentz Gay Jr. On April 1, 1984, Gaye's father, Marvin Gay Sr., fatally shot him at their Born April 2, 1939 house in the West Adams district of Los Angeles.[5][6] Since his death, many Washington, D.C., institutions have posthumously bestowed Gaye with awards and other honors U.S. including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and inductions into the Died April 1, 1984 Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and (aged 44) the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.[7] Los Angeles, California, U.S. Genres R&B · soul · Contents psychedelic soul · Early life funk · jazz · pop Career Occupation(s) Singer · songwriter Early career · record producer Initial success What's Going On and subsequent success Instruments Vocals · piano · Last Motown recordings and European exile keyboards · Midnight Love synthesizer · Death drums Personal life Years active 1957–1984 Musicianship Labels Tamla · Tamla- Equipment Motown · Columbia Inﬂuences Associated acts Harvey Fuqua · https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvin_Gaye 1/26 8/14/2019 Stevie Wonder - Wikipedia

Stevie Wonder

Stevland Hardaway Morris (né Judkins; born May 13, 1950), better known by his Stevie Wonder stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. A prominent figure in popular music, he is one of the most successful musicians of the 20th century.[1] Wonder's "classic period", between 1972 and 1977, is noted for his funky keyboard style, personal control of production, and series of songs integrated with one another to make a concept album.[2]

Blind since shortly after his birth, Wonder was a child prodigy known as Little Stevie Wonder leading him to sign with Motown's Tamla label at the age of 11.[1] In 1963, the single "Fingertips" was a No. 1 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 when Wonder was aged 13, making him the youngest artist ever to top the chart.[3] Wonder started his "classic period" with Talking Book (1972), which featured the No. 1 hit "Superstition".[4] It is one of the most distinctive and famous examples of the sound of the Hohner Clavinet keyboard.[5] Innervisions (1973) won Album of the Year at the 16th Grammy Awards.[6] Fulfillingness' First Finale (1974) also won Album of the Year at the 17th Annual Grammy Awards. Songs Wonder performing in August 1973 in the Key of Life (1976) won Album of the Year at the 19th Annual Grammy Awards, Born Stevland making Wonder, along with Frank Sinatra, the most Album of the Year's winner with three. Hardaway He is also the only artist to have won the award with three consecutive album releases. Judkins Wonder's 1970s albums are regarded very influential; the Rolling Stone Record Guide said May 13, 1950 they "pioneered stylistic approaches that helped to determine the shape of pop music for Saginaw, [4] the next decade". Michigan, U.S.

Wonder has sold over 100 million records worldwide, which placed him among the best- Other names Little Stevie selling music artists of all time.[7] He has won 25 Grammy Awards, making him one of the Wonder most awarded artists of all time. He was the first Motown artist and second African- Occupation Singer · American musician to win an Academy Award for Best Original Song, for the 1984 film The songwriter · Woman in Red. Wonder was inducted into the Rock and Rock Hall of Fame and musician · record [8][9] Songwriters Hall of Fame, and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He is producer · multi- also noted for his work as an activist for political causes, including his 1980 campaign to instrumentalist make Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday a holiday in the United States.[10] In 2009, Years active 1961–present Wonder was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace.[11] Home town Detroit, Michigan, U.S. Spouse(s) Syreeta Wright Contents (m. 1970; div. 1972) Early life Kai Millard Career (m. 2001; 1961–1969: Sixties singles div. 2012) 1970–1979: Seventies albums and classic period Tomeeka Bracy 1980–1990: Commercial period (m. 2017) 1991–1999: Continued released new material, 1996 Summer Olympics Children 9 2000–present: Later career Musical career Legacy Genres Soul · pop · R&B Personal life Marriages · funk · jazz Children Instruments Vocals · Other https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevie_Wonder 1/19 8/14/2019 Martha and the Vandellas - Wikipedia

Martha and the Vandellas

Martha and the Vandellas (known from 1967 to 1972 as Martha Reeves Martha and the Vandellas and the Vandellas) were an American all-female vocal group formed in 1957. The group achieved fame in the 1960s with Motown.

Formed in 1957 by friends Annette Beard, Rosalind Ashford and Gloria Williams, the group eventually included Martha Reeves, who moved up in ranks as lead vocalist of the group after Williams' departure in 1962. The group signed with and eventually recorded all of their singles for Motown's Gordy imprint.

The group's string of hits included "Come and Get These Memories", "Heat Wave", "Quicksand", "Nowhere to Run", "Jimmy Mack", "Bless You" and "Dancing in the Street", the latter song becoming their signature single. Martha and the Vandellas in 1965. During their nine-year run on the charts from 1963 to 1972, Martha and the (L-to-R) Rosaland Ashford, Martha Vandellas charted over twenty-six hits and recorded in the styles of doo-wop, Reeves, and Betty Kelley. R&B, pop, blues, rock and roll and soul. Ten Vandellas songs reached the top Background information ten of the Billboard R&B singles chart, including two R&B number ones, and Also known as The Del-Phis six Top Ten Pop Hits on the Billboard Hot 100. Selected members of the group (1957-1961) were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. The Vels (1961- 1962) Martha Reeves & Contents the Vandellas (1967-1972, 2010- History Early years (1957–1962) present) Motown major hit years (1962–1968) The Original Personnel changes Vandellas (2000s- "Bless You" (1969–1972) present) Epilogue Origin Detroit, Michigan, Awards and accolades United States Impact Genres R&B, soul, pop Lineups Years active 1957–1972 Discography Top Forty Singles Labels Gordy Awards and recognition Associated acts Marvin Gaye References The Funk Brothers External links Members Martha Reeves and the History Vandellas Martha Reeves https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martha_and_the_Vandellas 1/9 8/14/2019 The Temptations - Wikipedia

The Temptations

The Temptations are an American vocal group who released a series of The Temptations successful singles and albums with Motown Records during the 1960s and 1970s. The group's work with producer Norman Whitfield, beginning with the Top 10 hit single "Cloud Nine" in October 1968, pioneered psychedelic soul, and was significant in the evolution of R&B and soul music.[1] The band members are known for their choreography, distinct harmonies, and dress style. Having sold tens of millions of albums, the Temptations are among the most successful groups in popular music.[2][3][4]

Featuring five male vocalists and dancers (save for brief periods with fewer or more members), the group formed in 1960 in Detroit, Michigan under the name The Elgins. The founding members came from two rival Detroit vocal groups: Otis Williams, Elbridge "Al" Bryant, and Melvin Franklin of Otis Williams & the Distants, and Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams of the Primes. In 1964, Bryant was replaced by David Ruffin, who was the lead vocalist on a number of the group's biggest hits, including "My Girl" (1964), "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" (1966), and "I Wish It Would Rain" (1967). Ruffin was replaced in 1968 by Dennis Edwards, with whom the group continued to The "Classic 5" lineup of the record hit records such as "Cloud Nine" (1969) and "Ball of Confusion (That's Temptations: David Rufﬁn (bottom What the World Is Today)" (1970). The group's lineup has changed frequently left), Melvin Franklin (top left), Paul since the departures of Kendricks and Paul Williams from the act in 1971. Williams (top right), Otis Williams Later members of the group have included singers such as Richard Street, (bottom right), and Eddie Kendricks Damon Harris, Ron Tyson, and Ali-Ollie Woodson, with whom the group (center) c. 1965. scored a late-period hit in 1984 with "Treat Her Like a Lady". Background information Also known as The Elgins, The Over the course of their career, the Temptations released four Billboard Hot Pirates 100 number-one singles and fourteen R&B number-one singles. Their music has earned three Grammy Awards. The Temptations were the first Motown Origin Detroit, Michigan, recording act to win a Grammy Award - for "Cloud Nine" in 1969[5] - and in United States 2013 received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Six of the Genres R&B · soul · funk · Temptations (Edwards, Franklin, Kendricks, Ruffin, Otis Williams and Paul psychedelic soul Williams) were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. Three Years active 1960–present classic Temptations songs, "My Girl", "Just My Imagination (Running Away Labels Warwick · Miracle with Me)", and "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone", are among The Rock and Roll Hall · Gordy · Motown · of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. The Temptations were Atlantic · New ranked at number 68 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 100 Greatest Door Artists of all time. Associated acts The Supremes · As of 2018, the Temptations continues to perform with founder Otis Williams Smokey Robinson in the lineup (Williams owns rights to the Temptations name). · Norman Whitﬁeld · Four Tops · the Temptations https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Temptations 1/20 8/14/2019 Four Tops - Wikipedia

Four Tops

The Four Tops are a vocal quartet from Detroit, Michigan, USA, who helped Four Tops to define the city's Motown sound of the 1960s. The group's repertoire has included soul music, R&B, disco, adult contemporary, doo-wop, jazz, and show tunes.

Founded as the Four Aims, lead singer Levi Stubbs, Abdul "Duke" Fakir, Renaldo "Obie" Benson and Lawrence Payton remained together for over four decades, performing from 1953 until 1997 without a change in personnel.

The Four Tops were among a number of groups, including the Miracles, the Marvelettes, Martha and the Vandellas, the Temptations, and the Supremes, who established the Motown Sound heard around the world during the 1960s. They were notable for having Stubbs, a baritone, as their lead singer, whereas most other male and mixed vocal groups of the time were fronted by a tenor.

The group was the main male vocal group for the highly successful songwriting and production team of Holland–Dozier–Holland, who crafted a stream of hit singles for Motown. These included two Billboard Hot 100 number-one hits for the Tops: "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)" in 1965 and "Reach The Four Tops in 1968. (L-to-R) Levi Out I'll Be There" in 1966. After Holland-Dozier-Holland left Motown in 1967, Stubbs, Renaldo "Obie" Benson, the Four Tops were assigned to a number of producers, primarily Frank Abdul "Duke" Fakir, and Lawrence Wilson, but generally with less success. Payton When Motown left Detroit in 1972 to move to Los Angeles, California, the Tops Background information stayed in Detroit but signed a new recording deal with ABC Records' Dunhill Also known as Four Tops, the imprint. Recording mainly in Los Angeles, they continued to have chart singles Four Aims, the into the late 1970s, including the 1973 million-seller "Ain't No Woman", their Tops second release on Dunhill, produced by Steve Barri and the composers Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter. Origin Detroit, Michigan, U.S. In the 1980s, the Four Tops recorded for Casablanca Records, Arista Records Genres Soul · R&B · jazz · and Motown, returning to that label on two occasions for brief stays. Apart rock & roll · pop from their 1988 album Indestructible (owned by Sony Music Entertainment), Years active 1953–present Universal Music Group controls the rights to their entire post-1963 catalog (through various mergers and acquisitions) and also their 1956 single, "Could It Labels Chess · Red Top · Be You". Riverside · Columbia · A change of lineup was forced on the group when Lawrence Payton died on Motown · ABC- June 20, 1997. The group initially continued as a three-piece under the name Dunhill · [1] the Tops, before Theo Peoples (formerly of the Temptations) was recruited as Casablanca · the new fourth member. Peoples eventually took over the role of lead singer Arista when Stubbs suffered a stroke in 2000, with Ronnie McNeir then joining the Members Abdul "Duke" Fakir Ronnie McNeir https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Tops 1/12 8/14/2019 Four Tops - Wikipedia group. On July 1, 2005, Renaldo "Obie" Benson died of lung cancer. Payton's Lawrence Payton, son Roquel Payton replaced him. Levi Stubbs died on October 17, 2008. Harold Jr. "Spike" Bonhart replaced Peoples in 2011. Harold Bonhart Alexander Morris In January 1, 2019, Harold Spike Deleon Bonhart was replaced by Alexander Morris. Morris, a pastor in the city of Detroit, was born into a musical family, Past members Levi Stubbs his mother Betty L. Morris-January was lead singer of the 50's gospel group (deceased) The January Sisters. His father, the Late Reverend Joseph A. Morris was also a Renaldo "Obie" prominent pastor in the city of Detroit, but in his early years was a jazz Benson musician, playing for Gene Calloway, older sister of Cab Calloway. Morris also (deceased) known for his songwriting and production, has worked with many artists Lawrence Payton throughout the music industry, and as of January 1, 2019 has taken the lead (deceased) vocal position once held by Levi Stubbs. Morris, McNeir, Roquel Payton and Theo Peoples Fakir, who is the only surviving founding member of the group, are still performing as the Four Tops.

Contents

History Early years Joining Motown Success Late Motown period ABC Records and Casablanca Records Return to Motown Later years The Four Tops Career Awards Discography Billboard Hot 100 US and UK singles Albums DVDs See also References External links

History

Early years All four members of the group began their careers together while they were high-school students in Detroit. At the insistence of their friends, Pershing High students Levi Stubbs and Abdul "Duke" Fakir performed with Renaldo "Obie" Benson and Lawrence Payton from Northern High at a local birthday party. The quartet decided to remain together and named the group the Four Aims. With the help of Payton's songwriter cousin Roquel Davis, the Aims signed to Chess Records in 1956, changing their name to the Four Tops to avoid confusion with the Ames Brothers. Over the next seven years, the Tops had unsuccessful tenures at Chess, Red Top, Riverside Records and Columbia Records. Without any hit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Tops 2/12 8/14/2019 Gladys Knight - Wikipedia

Gladys Knight

Gladys Maria Knight (born May 28, 1944), known as the "Empress of Gladys Knight Soul",[1][2] is an American singer, songwriter, actress, businesswoman, and author. A seven-time Grammy Award-winner,[3] Knight is known for the hits she recorded during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s with her group Gladys Knight & the Pips, which also included her brother Merald "Bubba" Knight and cousins Edward Patten and William Guest.

Knight has recorded two number-one Billboard Hot 100 singles ("Midnight Train to Georgia" and "That's What Friends Are For"), eleven number-one R&B singles, and six number-one R&B albums. She has won seven Grammy Awards (four as a solo artist and three with the Pips) and is an inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame along with The Pips. She also recorded the theme song for the 1989 James Bond film Licence to Kill. Knight is also listed as one of Rolling Stone magazine's 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.[4] Knight in 1997 Background information Contents Birth name Gladys Maria Early life Knight Success with the Pips Also known as The Empress of Solo music career Soul UK Farewell Tour Born May 28, 1944 Acting Atlanta, Georgia, Film U.S. Television Genres R&B · soul · pop · Gladys Knight & Ron Winans Chicken & Wafﬂes gospel Personal life Occupation(s) Singer · Legacy songwriter · Discography actress · Billboard number-one R&B albums businesswoman · Published works author Filmography Films Instruments Vocals · piano Television Years active 1952–present Awards, honors, and achievements Labels Vee-Jay · Grammy Awards Motown · Buddah Other awards and honors · Columbia · Honorary degrees MCA · Verve References Associated acts Gladys Knight & External links the Pips · Patti LaBelle · Aretha https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gladys_Knight 1/13 8/14/2019 The Jackson 5 - Wikipedia

The Jackson 5

The Jackson 5 (stylized as the Jackson 5ive), later known as the The Jackson Five Jacksons, were an American pop band composed of members of the Jackson family. The group was founded in 1964 in Gary, Indiana by brothers Jackie, Tito, and Jermaine, with younger brothers Marlon and Michael Jackson joining soon after. They were among the first black American performers to attain a crossover following, preceded by the Supremes, the Four Tops, and the Temptations.

The Jackson 5 performed in talent shows and clubs on the Chitlin' Circuit, then signed with Steeltown Records in 1967 and released two singles.[1] In 1968, they left Steeltown Records and signed with Motown, where they achieved 16 top-40 singles on the Hot 100. The group left Motown for Epic Records in 1975, with the exception of Jermaine, who The Jackson 5 in 1972, from left to right: was replaced by Randy. At Epic, they released five albums between 1976 Tito Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Michael and 1981, including the successful albums Destiny (1978) and Triumph Jackson, Jackie Jackson, and Jermaine (1980) and the singles "Enjoy Yourself", "Shake Your Body (Down to the Jackson Ground)", and "Can You Feel It". The brothers also released solo Background information albums, most successfully Michael, whose 1982 album Thriller became Origin Gary, Indiana the best-selling album in history. In 1983, Jermaine reunited with the band to perform on the Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever TV Genres Pop · rhythm and blues · special. They released the Victory album the following year, followed by soul · disco · funk · an extensive tour which also featured songs from Michael's solo albums. bubblegum pop After the Victory tour, Michael and Marlon Jackson left the group. The Years active 1964–1989, 2001, 2012– remaining four released the poorly received 2300 Jackson Street album present in 1989 before being dropped from their label. In 2001, the Jacksons Labels Steeltown · Motown · reunited on Michael's 30th anniversary television special. The four Philadelphia International eldest of the brothers embarked on their Unity Tour in 2012 following · Epic Michael's death, and they planned several major performances for Website thejacksons.live (http://the 2017.[2][3] jacksons.live) The Jackson 5 have sold more than 100 million records worldwide, Members Jackie Jackson making them one of the best-selling bands of all time.[4] They were Tito Jackson inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999. They were also the first group to debut with four Jermaine Jackson consecutive number one hits on the Hot 100 with the songs "I Want You Marlon Jackson Back", "ABC", "The Love You Save", and "I'll Be There".[5] Past members Michael Jackson (deceased) Contents Randy Jackson

History Early years Jacksonmania https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jackson_5 1/9 8/14/2019 Lionel Richie - Wikipedia

Lionel Richie

Lionel Brockman Richie Jr. (born June 20, 1949) is an American singer, Lionel Richie songwriter, actor, and record producer. Richie's style of ballads with the Commodores and in his solo career launched him as one of the most successful balladeers of the 1980s.

Beginning in 1968, Richie was a member of the funk and soul band the Commodores. The Commodores became established as a popular soul group; their first several albums had a danceable, funky sound, as in such tracks as "Machine Gun" and "Brick House." Over time, Richie wrote and sang more romantic, easy-listening ballads such as "Easy", "Three Times a Lady", "Still", and the breakup ballad "Sail On". Richie launched a solo career in 1982 and his 1982 debut solo album, Lionel Richie, contained three hit singles: the Grammy winning U.S. number-one song "Truly", and the top five hits "You Are" and "My Love". The album hit No. 3 on the music charts and sold over 4 million copies. His 1983 follow-up album, Can't Slow Down, sold over twice as many copies and won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year, propelling him into the

first rank of international superstars. He also co-wrote the 1985 charity single Richie receiving the 2017 Kennedy [1] "We Are the World" with Michael Jackson, which sold over 20 million copies. Center Honors

Over the course of his musical career, Richie has sold over 90 million records Born Lionel Brockman worldwide, making him one of the world's best-selling artists of all time. He has Richie Jr. won four Grammy Awards including Song of the Year in 1985 for "We Are the June 20, 1949 World" which he co-wrote with Michael Jackson, Album of the Year in 1984 for Tuskegee, Can't Slow Down, Producer of the Year (Non-Classical) in 1984 and Best Male Alabama, U.S. [2] Pop Vocal Performance for "Truly" in 1982. Richie has also been nominated Residence Los Angeles, for two Golden Globe awards and won one. In 1982 he was nominated for Best California, U.S. Original Song for the film Endless Love. In 1986 he was nominated for and won Years active 1968–present the Golden Globe award for Best Original Song for "Say You, Say Me", featured Spouse(s) in the film White Nights.[3] The song also won the Academy Award for Best Brenda Harvey (m. 1975; Original Song. In 2016, Richie received the Songwriters Hall of Fame's highest div. 1993) honor, the Johnny Mercer Award.[4] Diane Alexander (m. 1995; div. 2004) Contents Children 3, including Nicole and Soﬁa Early life Musical career Career Commodores Genres Funk · R&B · Solo career country · pop · Later career soul Popularity in the Arab world Occupation(s) Singer- Personal life songwriter · actor https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Richie 1/9 8/14/2019 Michael Jackson - Wikipedia

Michael Jackson

Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an Michael Jackson American singer, songwriter, and dancer. Dubbed the "King of Pop", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century and one of the greatest entertainers. Jackson's contributions to music, dance, and fashion, along with his publicized personal life, made him a global figure in popular culture for over four decades.

The eighth child of the Jackson family, Michael made his professional debut in 1964 with his elder brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon as a member of the Jackson 5. He began his solo career in 1971 while at Motown Records, and in the early 1980s, became a dominant figure in popular music. His music videos, including those for "Beat It", "Billie Jean", and "Thriller" from his 1982 album Thriller, are credited with breaking racial barriers and transforming the medium into an art form and promotional tool. Their popularity helped bring the television channel MTV to fame. Bad (1987) was the first album to produce five US Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles.[nb 1] He continued to innovate throughout the 1990s with videos such as "Black or White" and "Scream", and forged a reputation as a touring artist. Through stage and video performances, Jackson popularized complicated dance techniques such as the robot and the moonwalk, to which he gave the name. His sound and style have influenced artists of various genres. Jackson performing at the Wiener Jackson is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with estimated sales Stadion in Vienna, Austria on June of over 350 million records worldwide;[nb 2] Thriller is the best-selling album of 2, 1988 all time, with estimated sales of 66 million copies worldwide. His other albums, Born Michael Joseph including Off the Wall (1979), Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991), and HIStory Jackson (1995), also rank among the world's best-selling. He won hundreds of awards August 29, 1958 (more than any other artist in the history of popular music), has been inducted Gary, Indiana, into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, and is the only pop or rock artist to U.S. have been inducted into the Dance Hall of Fame. His other achievements Died June 25, 2009 include Guinness world records (including the Most Successful Entertainer of (aged 50) All Time), 15 Grammy Awards (including the Legend and Lifetime Achievement Los Angeles, awards), 26 American Music Awards (more than any other artist), and 13 California, U.S. number-one US singles (more than any other male artist in the Hot 100 era). Jackson was the first artist to have a top ten single in the Billboard Hot 100 in Cause of death Cardiac arrest five different decades. In 2016, his estate earned $825 million, the highest induced by acute yearly amount for a celebrity ever recorded by Forbes. propofol and benzodiazepine In the late 1980s, Jackson became a figure of controversy for his changing intoxication appearance, relationships, behavior and lifestyle. In 1993, he was accused of Burial place Forest Lawn sexually abusing the child of a family friend. The accusation was settled out of Memorial Park, court. In 2005, he was tried and acquitted of further child sexual abuse https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jackson 1/46 8/14/2019 Michael Jackson - Wikipedia allegations and several other charges. In 2009, while preparing for a series of Glendale, comeback concerts, This Is It, Jackson died from an overdose of sedatives California, U.S. administered by his personal physician, Conrad Murray. Jackson's fans around Other names Michael Joe the world expressed their grief, and his public memorial service was broadcast Jackson live. The 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland detailed renewed child sexual Occupation Singer · abuse allegations and led to an international backlash against Jackson. songwriter · dancer Spouse(s) Lisa Marie Contents Presley (m. 1994; Life and career div. 1996) 1958–1975: Early life and the Jackson 5 Debbie Rowe 1975–1981: Move to Epic and Off the Wall (m. 1996; 1982–1983: Thriller and Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever div. 1999) 1984–1985: Pepsi, "We Are the World", and business career Children Michael Jr. · 1986–1987: Changing appearance, tabloids, and films Paris · Blanket 1987–1990: Bad, autobiography, and Neverland 1991–1993: Dangerous, Heal the World Foundation, and Super Bowl Parent(s) Joe Jackson XXVII halftime show Katherine 1993–1995: First child sexual abuse accusations and first marriage Jackson 1995–1997: HIStory, second marriage, and fatherhood Family Jackson family 1997–2002: Label dispute and Invincible 2002–2005: Second child sexual abuse allegations, trial, and acquittal Awards List of awards 2006–2009: Closure of Neverland, final years, and This Is It and nominations Death Musical career Memorial service Genres Pop · soul · funk · Criminal investigation and prosecution Posthumous sales rhythm and blues Posthumous releases and productions · rock · disco · Leaving Neverland and renewed child sexual abuse allegations post-disco · Legacy and influence dance-pop · new jack swing Artistry Influences Instruments Vocals Musicianship Years active 1964–2009 Themes and genres Vocal style Labels Steeltown · Music videos and choreography Motown · Epic · Honors and awards Legacy · Sony · MJJ Productions Earnings Discography Associated acts The Jackson 5 Filmography Website www Tours .michaeljackson Notes .com (https://ww References w.michaeljackso Citations n.com/) Print sources Signature External links

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jackson 2/46