5/23/21, 10:28 PM Page 1 of 1 PRINT Printed by: LIAM DUNN Printed on: May 23, 2021 Motown: The Beat Goes On Before Reading Poll Motown Records became one of the most influential record companies in American history. The company gave its name to the popular style of music that it created. What do you think about this statement? Motown Records changed the direction of pop music forever. Agree Disagree Explain why you voted the way you did. Article Photo credit: Redferns/Getty Images One of Motown Records premier acts during the 1960s was The Supremes. This 1964 photo shows the group from left to right: Mary Wilson, Diana Ross, and Florence Ballard. DETROIT, Michigan (Achieve3000, April 7, 2021). "Calling out around the world, are you ready for a brand- new beat?" asked Martha and the Vandellas in their hit "Dancing in the Street." For a multifarious multitude of music fans in the U.S. and beyond, the RSVP was a resounding yes. The year was 1964, and the company that released the song, Motown Records, was changing the face of pop music. Motown songs had a unique style—a "brand-new beat"—that had young music fans on their feet. "Dancing in the Street," with its driving rhythm, vivacious vocal harmonies, and brilliant barrage of brass horns, was a prime example of Motown's signature sound, but that's not the only reason it's a fitting anthem for the label. The song is, according to the second verse, "an invitation across the nation, a chance for folks to meet," so there's little analysis needed to reveal its message of opening doors and bringing people together…just like Motown Records itself, which built bridges to promote understanding and advance the cause of racial justice. For a record label with such a lofty legacy, Motown had modest Photo credit: Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University Berry Gordy Jr. founded Motown Records in 1959. The record company created a new sound that changed popular music. beginnings. In 1959, 29-year-old Berry Gordy, Jr. borrowed $800 from relatives to start a record company in Detroit, Michigan. He set up an office and recording studio in a two-story house that came to be known, for good reason, as "Hitsville, U.S.A." In the 1960s, the company released 79 top ten hits, and it continued to churn out chart-toppers in subsequent decades. Among the musical luminaries this label launched were Smokey Robinson, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5, and Marvin Gaye, who, in addition to being a star performer, cowrote many Motown songs, including "Dancing in the Street." Gordy's profitable pop powerhouse was, for a portion of the 1960s, the largest Black-owned business in the U.S. What was the secret to the company's success? First and foremost, every recording had to have the distinctive "Motown Sound," which was rooted in the soulfulness of Black gospel and infused with the jazzy, syncopated rhythms of bebop. Gordy and his team worked hard to perfect every song, and artists' on-stage appearance and decorum were meticulously orchestrated, too. Singers stepped, swayed, and sashayed through synchronized choreography, attired in stylish, coordinated dresses or tailored suits. It all added up to a winning formula for scoring smash hits…and breaking down barriers. At a time when much of American society and culture was stratified by race, Motown music was a successful cultural crossover that had widespread appeal—all over the country, Americans of different races were turning up the tunes and singing along, rocking to the same beat. But the company's impact wasn't just about good grooves and smooth moves—while Motown songs were overtaking radio airwaves and dance floors, profound social change was afoot. Activists like Martin Luther King, Jr. were striving to end racial segregation, which was still a fact of life in many parts of the country. Some people thought of the Black-owned company's music as an unofficial soundtrack for the civil rights movement, although much of it wasn't overtly political. "Dancing in the Street," in particular, became a rallying song for some of the demonstrators who took to the streets to march for equality and justice. Today, there's still "laughing, singing, and music swinging" at Motown Records, just like there was when Martha and the Vandellas belted out those ebullient lyrics in 1964. The company now focuses on contemporary R&B, soul, and hip-hop. Meanwhile, soulful snippets of classic Motown songs from the 1960s and 1970s can be heard in recent hits, sampled by stars like Drake, Childish Gambino, and Kanye West. The company's cultural legacy is alive and well, and the Motown Sound continues to reverberate—the beat goes on! Dictionary luminary (noun) a person famous for brilliant achievement multifarious (adjective) diverse; many and various syncopated (adjective) having an unusual rhythm in which the musician emphasizes the beat that is usually unstressed Activity PART 1 Question 1 The best alternate headline for this Article would be __________. Motown: Dancing Through the Streets of History Today's Stars Channel Icons of the 1960s and 70s Detroit Man Borrows $800 to Build Music Empire Smooth Moves: Creating Motown's Signature Looks Question 2 Which of these statements is contrary to the ideas presented in this Article? Much of Motown's music wasn't overtly political but was still utilized in the fight for equality. Few contemporary R&B and hip-hop artists are familiar with the distinctive "Motown Sound." The "Motown Sound" had elements of Black gospel music infused with jazzy bebop rhythms. The secret to Motown's success wasn't just the music but also the artists' on-stage appearance. Question 3 Which word is the closest antonym for the word luminary? stoic nonentity prodigy recluse Question 4 What cause-and-effect relationship is described in this Article? Motown Records was the largest Black-owned business in the U.S. because it released so many profitable hit songs. Because Motown music was a successful cultural crossover, Marvin Gaye was asked to cowrite many of its songs. Because Motown music was a successful cultural crossover, the artists began carefully orchestrating their on-stage appearance. Motown Records was the largest Black-owned business in the U.S. because racial segregation was still a fact of life. Question 5 Which of these is a statement of opinion? For a portion of the 1960s, Motown Records was the largest Black-owned business in the U.S. "Hitsville, U.S.A." was the name given to the two- story house that became the recording studio for Motown Records. Motown Records released 79 top ten hits in the 1960s and continued to churn out chart-toppers in the decades that followed. "Dancing in the Street," by Martha and the Vandellas was the greatest song released by Motown Records. Question 6 Read this passage from the Article: Singers stepped, swayed, and sashayed through synchronized choreography, attired in stylish, coordinated dresses or tailored suits. It all added up to a winning formula for scoring smash hits…and breaking down barriers. Which phrase from the passage provides context clues for the meaning of the word choreography? stepped, swayed, and sashayed breaking down barriers winning formula stylish, coordinated dresses Question 7 Based on the Article, the reader can predict that __________. Motown Records will officially change its name to "Hitsville, U.S.A." Motown Records will officially stop producing music for new artists classic Motown sounds will continue to appear in new songs classic Motown sounds will encourage artists to only record music in their homes Question 8 Which passage from the Article best supports the idea that Motown Records coordinated a very specific look and sound? Gordy and his team worked hard to perfect every song, and artists' on-stage appearance and decorum were meticulously orchestrated, too. He set up an office and recording studio in a two- story house that came to be known, for good reason, as "Hitsville, U.S.A." At a time when much of American society and culture was stratified by race, Motown music was a successful cultural crossover that had widespread appeal —all over the country, Americans of different races were turning up the tunes and singing along, rocking to the same beat. Among the musical luminaries this label launched were Smokey Robinson, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5, and Marvin Gaye, who, in addition to being a star performer, cowrote many Motown songs, including "Dancing in the Street." After Reading Poll Now that you have read the article, indicate whether you agree or disagree with this statement. Motown Records changed the direction of pop music forever. Agree Disagree Explain why you voted the way you did. Then read and respond to what others have to say. Maximum 600 characters Press Escape to exit toolbar Press Alt + F10 to reach toolbar Sorry, comments are not available at this time. Please try again later. Thought Question Explain how Motown Records became a hit with music fans in the 1960s. Use examples from the Article to support your ideas. Stretch Article The Article tab provides the most complex version of this article. If you have finished all of the activities and are looking for additional readings, select an article from Search. Dictionary luminary (noun) a person famous for brilliant achievement multifarious (adjective) diverse; many and various syncopated (adjective) having an unusual rhythm in which the musician emphasizes the beat that is usually unstressed Stretch Activity The Activity tab provides the most complex version of this activity.