Motown: Difference between revisions

After a successful stint writing for Jackie Wilson, Detroit-based songwriter Berry Gordy decided that there was more money to be made in the music business as a producer than as a songwriter. Taking out a loan, he founded the Tamla Records label and started signing local talent. Following up early successes with the creation of the Hitsville USA studio, Gordy started a second label to supplement Tamla. Its name was a portmanteau of the Detroit nickname, "Motor City" or "Motown". From there, Tamla Motown (along with such associated labels as Gordy, Soul, and V.I.P.) went out to conquer the world of pop.

 

The early years of the label, and the career of the Supremes in particular, were the inspiration for the musical and movie ''[[Dreamgirls]]''.

 

* [[Album Filler]]: Motown was notorious for releasing albums which were essentially hit singles surrounded by cover songs. This policy prompted Marvin Gaye to record the [[Concept Album]] ''What's Going On?''

* [[Boy Band]]: The Four Tops, the Temptations and the Jackson 5 are among the earliest examples.