Fifty fabulous years of Motown
Motown Records, one of the most iconic sounds of the 20th century, was founded in Detroit in 1959 by Berry Gordy. From humble beginnings in a modest house on Detroit's near west side, the careers of such superstars as Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, the Supremes, Four Tops and Temptations were launched.
In this section, The Detroit News celebrates the Motown Sound and its effect on the city, the civil rights movement and several generations of fans.
Interactives
The virtual jukebox: Listen to Motown hits and find a timeline of events. Click on a map to see notable locations in Motown history.
Motown's best songs: Local celebrities and our music writers list their favorite Motown tracks
Photos
CyberSurvey
Motown's finest
Who is the greatest artist or act ever to work for Motown? After you vote, share your thoughts in the Motown Forum.
| Marvin Gaye | |
| Stevie Wonder | |
| The Supremes | |
| The Temptations | |
| Smokey Robinson and the Miracles | |
| The Four Tops | |
| Martha and the Vandellas | |
| The Marvelettes | |
| The Jackson 5 | |
| Other (specify) | |
Motown Forum
Add it to the grapevine
What's your favorite Motown memory? What's the first Motown song you ever heard? The best concert? Your favorite record? Your brush with Motown celebrity? Share your stories here.
Motown Legend
'Unsung: Florence Ballard' probes the life and death of Supremes singer
When Jennifer Hudson clutched her Oscar for "Dreamgirls" and dedicated it to "Florence Ballard, who never got a chance," the tears flowed in more than one household in Detroit. - 06/26/2009
Artists put limelight on demand for royalties from radio stations
A group of artists, including Dionne Warwick, Sam Moore, Motown alums Mary Wilson, Duke Fakir and Martha Reeves and hip-hop artist Rhymefest will take part in a town hall meeting today in Detroit on proposed legislation that would force radio stations to pay royalties to singers and musicians when their songs are played on the air. - 06/02/2009
Motown's Miracles get star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
Smokey Robinson was on hand Friday as The Miracles received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The group's frontman was previously honored with a star for his solo work.
'American Idol' finalists coached by Motown greats
They came, they saw, and eight of the 10 "American Idol" finalists sang Motown on Thursday at the Motown Historical Museum, under the watchful eye of Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr. and singer/songwriter Smokey Robinson.
'Idol' to film with legends at Motown Museum
The smash Fox talent search is coming to the Motown Museum on Thursday to film segments of contestants working on Motown classics with mentors Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson inside Motown's legendary Studio A. - 03/19/2009
'Idol' to film with legends at Motown Museum
The smash Fox talent search is coming to the Motown Museum on Thursday to film segments of contestants working on Motown classics with mentors Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson inside Motown's legendary Studio A. - 03/19/2009
Motown's Velvelettes honored with exhibit
The Velvelettes are the stealth Motown girl group. They didn't have the mega-fame of the Supremes, but their hits "Needle in a Haystack" and "Really Saying Something" have stood the test of time as classic Motown songcraft. - 03/06/2009
It pays off to be a serious Stevie Wonder fan
The Detroit News was flooded with Wonderlove from readers who entered our Stevie Wonder Contest to win passes to today's screening of Wonder's first-ever live DVD, "Live at Last," at the Emagine Theater in Canton Township or copies of the DVD itself. - 03/04/2009
Winner Wonder wows Obamas
President Barack Obama on Wednesday thanked musician Stevie Wonder for creating "a style that's uniquely American" as he presented the singer-songwriter with the nation's highest award for pop music. - 02/26/2009
It's official: Ceremony at Hitsville kicks off Motown 50
On Monday, Motown stars and politicos gathered at the Motown Historical Museum to launch Motown's 50th anniversary with a press conference in the historic Studio A recording studio. - 01/13/2009
Celebrating 50 years of Motown
On Monday, Gordy and Universal Motown Records will launch the 50th anniversary of the iconic Detroit label, which includes an event Monday at the Motown Historical Museum featuring Duke Fakir of the Four Tops, city and state dignitaries and others. Monday will also be declared "Motown Day" by city and state officials. - 01/09/2009
- Photos: Berry Gordy, founder of Motown
- Photos: Motown through the years
- Photos: Motown Gala kicks off anniversary celebration
- Video: Interview with Motown guitarist Dennis Coffey
- Video: Interview with the Velvelettes, one of Motown's first female groups
- Interactive: Favorite Motown songs
- Special section: More Motown video, vintage performances, photo galleries, forum
April 10, 1969
From the archive: Smokey's Miracles -- black was a barrier
If you're over 25 and have never given serious thought to the world of pop music, chances are if you're asked "What group has been your favorite over the years?" your answer might be "Rock and roll groups are never around anytime at all before they're replaced by another. It's impossible for one particular group to last as a favorite." - 01/09/2009
January 25, 1972
From the archive: Smokey says good-by
DETROIT -- Born Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, the pioneer singing group of Motown Record Corp., are waving good-by to Detroit this week ...from Windsor. - 01/09/2009
Nov. 25, 2000
From the archive: Keepin' the FUNK alive!
LIVONIA -- In the pine-paneled rumpus room of a nondescript brick house in a sleepy suburb, the world's greatest basement band is kicking some serious butt. You know these musicians, even if you never knew their names: the Funk Brothers, as they called themselves, were the uncredited studio band that laid down the intricate, funky grooves for Diana, Smokey, Marvin, Tammi, Martha and the rest of Berry Gordy's stable. - 01/09/2009
Oct. 16, 2007
From the archive: Gordy and artists return to ignite 2-year celebration of label's 50th anniversary
Motown -- the museum, the record company and the family -- is set to kick off a two-year celebration of its 50th anniversary Saturday at a One Motown One Family One Legacy black-tie gala at the Detroit Marriott. - 01/09/2009
Aug. 14, 1969
From the archive: Enthusiasm bursts for Smokey Robinson
"We want Smokey! We want Smokey! We want Smokey!" screamed the crowd as they pushed past barriers and police and thronged around the stage. - 01/09/2009
Sept. 23, 1992
From the archive: Earl Van Dyke, studio pianist for Motown greats, dies at 62
Earl Van Dyke was a lifelong musician who had played piano for a host of musical celebrities, including many of the great Motown singers.Mr. Van Dyke, who was born in Detroit, died of prostate cancer Friday, Sept. 18, 1992, in Harper Hospital, Detroit. He was 62. - 01/09/2009
April 17, 2007
From the archive: Diana loves Detroit
Diana Ross brought a tight band, truckloads of tulle, sequins and feathers, and a voice that is both mellow and durable as she performed at The Palace of Auburn Hills Monday night. - 01/09/2009
April 13, 2007
From the archive: At 63, Motown diva makes supreme return
The voice is unmistakable over the phone; somehow both breathy and clear, with the drawn-out vowels of a southeastern Michigan girlhood. But her proper enunciation sounds like what she is: "Diana Ross," actress, Connecticut mother of five and international superstar. - 01/09/2009
Feb. 22, 2007
From the archive: 'Dreamgirls' producers apologize to Gordy
Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr. has been quiet since the release of the Oscar-nominated movie "Dreamgirls," but that doesn't mean he didn't have an opinion on the film, or that lawyers haven't been busy talking. - 01/09/2009
Four Tops to receive a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
Motown's Four Tops -- Levi Stubbs, Abdul "Duke" Fakir, Lawrence Payton and Renaldo "Obie" Benson -- will be honored in February with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. - 12/22/2008
Ultimate Motown box set comes out Tuesday
The angle of "Motown: The Complete #1s (Limited Edition)," which will be released Tuesday by Motown/UMe, is what the title promises: a 10-CD set of the mind-boggling number of chart-topping hits by the Detroit powerhouse. - 12/06/2008
'Now' music series celebrates Motown's 50th with CD
To kick off Motown Records' 50th anniversary year, on Jan. 13 the popular "Now That's What I Call Music" music series is releasing "Now That's What I Call Motown," a collection of 25 of the top Motown songs of all time. - 12/03/2008
Velvelettes, Ali Ollie Woodson headline fundraiser for Motown
On Thursday, when fans and friends gather at Arturo's Jazz Theater and Restaurant in Southfield for "Music and the Stars," the annual Motown Historical Museum fundraiser, the Velvelettes have a special timely treat in store. - 11/11/2008
