Rock and Roll 3 03/11/2014 Motown:“The Sound of Young America” Motown Records-Berry Gordy in Detroit, Michigan Also formed sister label Tamla In the late 1950s, Gordy wrote the hits “Reet Petite” and “Lonely Teardrops for Jackie Wilson All subsidiary music labels are under the umbrella Motown. Hitsville USA The Funk brothers-house band at Motown Barrett Strong- a recording artist The Miracles Smokey Robinson- lead vocals, songs “Shop Around”- Motowns first million-selling hit record. The Marvelettes “Please Mr. Postman”- First #1 on the charts by a Motown recording act The Funk Brothers- the Motown house band, James Jamerson Bass player was on member, many would come and go Artist development was a major part of Motowns operationsl The acts were carefully groomed, dressed, and choreographed for live performanves o Etiquitte Instructor?? o Dance choreographer?? Martha & The Vandellas Martha Reeves- lead vocals “Dancing in the Street”- huge beat, powerful Brian Holland- Lamont Dozier- Eddie Holland-most successful writer producer talent worked with the Supremes The Supremes- Holland-dozier-holland Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard “Where Did Our Love Go”- supremes first #1 Hit- starts with just the beat then “baby baby baby”, Diana ross babyish girly voice “Baby Love” – Holland-Dozier-Holland- #1 in US and UK2 “Stop in the Name of Love”- Holland-Dozier-Holland #1 in US “You Keep me Hanging On”- Holland Dozier Holland, groups eighth #1 Single 1967, Florence Ballard is replaced by Cindy Birdsong. The group is now called Diana Ross and The Supremes. HDH fights with Verry Gordy Jr. over profit sharing and royalties. Unable to reach a new agreement, they leave Motown o New writing team for Diana Ross- The Clan- “Love Child” album o The subject of illegitimacy was controversial, “Love Child” knocks hey jude off the #1 spot Diana Ross went solo in 1970 The Four Tops-holland-dozier-holland Levi Stubbs- lead vocals “Baby I Need Your Loving”- Holland Dozier Holland o starts with like oooooo The first million selling hit single “I Can’t Help Myself”- (Sugar pie Honey Bunch)- first #1 hit—same cords as Where Did Our Love Go o Soon after I cant help myself hit #1 the four tops former label, Columbia re released their 1960 single “Aint That Love” berry gordy ordered that a four tops single had to be released within a days time o At 3:00 that afternoon, HDH wrote “It’s the Same Old Song” It was quickly recorded and mixed by #:00 the next afternoon, 1500 copies had been delivered to DJs across the country— (same cords again) “Reach Out I’ll Be There”- HDH- #1 in US and UK- last big hit I think one lead singer most of the time, barratone voice, and little backups 03/11/2014 Mary Wells “My Guy”- produced by Smokey Robinson had the option to terminate her contract after she reached her 21st birthday on May 13, 1964. She broke her contract with Motown and signed with 20th Century Fox in hopes of higher royalties and possible movie roles9 However, her career stalled and she never again had a hit as big as “My Guy” The Miracles Smokey Robinson- song writer, lead singer, producer Pete Moore Bobby Rogers Ronald White “The Tracks of My Tears”- Smokey(produced), Moore, Marv Tarplin “Ooh Baby Baby”- produces by Smokey Robinson “I Second That Emotion”- smokey and Al Cleveland, produced by smokey “The Tears of a Clown”-Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Hank Crosby The Temptations Otis Williams Paul Williams Melvin Franklin “The Way You Do the things you do” o Temps first charting single peaking at #11 o Produced by Smokey Robinson.