Foundation of a Revolution -
The genesis of Motown begins in Detroit, Michigan in 1959. Barry Gordy Jr., the founder, didn’t recognize his true passion on the first try. Gordy was originally a boxer, he never went into heavyweight, but was successful up until his early retirement. He wanted something more simple, so he worked in a small record shop. After that failed, he went to work on an automobile assembly line. Third time’s a charm for Gordy, because when he would work on the line, he would hum small, original tunes to himself. Eventually the small collections of notes turned into words and words into songs, great songs, and thus, Barry found his fascination. Barry’s parents gave him a loan of $800 and Gordy founded a soon-to-be revolutionary company, founding Motown, known then as Tamla Records. Motown is derived from Detroit’s nickname, “Motortown” due to its many automobile plants.
The genesis of Motown begins in Detroit, Michigan in 1959. Barry Gordy Jr., the founder, didn’t recognize his true passion on the first try. Gordy was originally a boxer, he never went into heavyweight, but was successful up until his early retirement. He wanted something more simple, so he worked in a small record shop. After that failed, he went to work on an automobile assembly line. Third time’s a charm for Gordy, because when he would work on the line, he would hum small, original tunes to himself. Eventually the small collections of notes turned into words and words into songs, great songs, and thus, Barry found his fascination. Barry’s parents gave him a loan of $800 and Gordy founded a soon-to-be revolutionary company, founding Motown, known then as Tamla Records. Motown is derived from Detroit’s nickname, “Motortown” due to its many automobile plants.
Spreading like the Plague-
Motown quickly became famous, with its first major hit, “Money (That’s what I Want)” by Barrett Strong. The company’s first million dollar seller was “Shop Around” by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles right along side the first number one hit, “Please, Mr. Postman” by the girl group, the Marvelettes. Those three songs kicked off Motown’s success as a music company, with over 530 singles released in its entire lifetime, and not only in the U.S., but all around the world. Otis Williams said, “When we went to Europe and Australia, they knew all about Motown. They didn’t know about Warner Brothers of Columbia or whoever, but when we went behind the Iron Curtain, to Gdansk, or to Africa, and people knew about Motown, that’s when I thought, ‘Man, we are a very unique company.’ That let us know that it was really reaching far and wide.” Proving that Motown wouldn’t soon be forgotten.
Motown quickly became famous, with its first major hit, “Money (That’s what I Want)” by Barrett Strong. The company’s first million dollar seller was “Shop Around” by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles right along side the first number one hit, “Please, Mr. Postman” by the girl group, the Marvelettes. Those three songs kicked off Motown’s success as a music company, with over 530 singles released in its entire lifetime, and not only in the U.S., but all around the world. Otis Williams said, “When we went to Europe and Australia, they knew all about Motown. They didn’t know about Warner Brothers of Columbia or whoever, but when we went behind the Iron Curtain, to Gdansk, or to Africa, and people knew about Motown, that’s when I thought, ‘Man, we are a very unique company.’ That let us know that it was really reaching far and wide.” Proving that Motown wouldn’t soon be forgotten.
Influence on and of the Civil Rights Movement
Right around the same time that Motown kicked off, so did the Civil RIghts movement. Since Motown was of mainly African- American artists, it is expected that there was a lot of discrimination towards them and their families. That only made them keep pushing forward even harder. Many songs were released by black artists inspiring people to stand up for their rights and to support those who had none. Songs like “We’re Rolling On” and “Keep on Pushing” both by the Impressions were inspired by speakers such as MLK Jr. and Malcolm X. Abdul Fakir said about their inspiration, “We looked at Martin Luther King and we thought, he’s doing the same thing on foot that we’re doing on the radio. I like to think that we were softening the blow for him a little bit.” The speakers and singers worked in harmony to fight for what they knew was right.
Right around the same time that Motown kicked off, so did the Civil RIghts movement. Since Motown was of mainly African- American artists, it is expected that there was a lot of discrimination towards them and their families. That only made them keep pushing forward even harder. Many songs were released by black artists inspiring people to stand up for their rights and to support those who had none. Songs like “We’re Rolling On” and “Keep on Pushing” both by the Impressions were inspired by speakers such as MLK Jr. and Malcolm X. Abdul Fakir said about their inspiration, “We looked at Martin Luther King and we thought, he’s doing the same thing on foot that we’re doing on the radio. I like to think that we were softening the blow for him a little bit.” The speakers and singers worked in harmony to fight for what they knew was right.
Current Implications
Motown has grown over 50 years of nothing but success. Including recent stars, such as Boyz II Men, Shanice and Ne-Yo. They will continue to produce music as long as people keep listening to it. True, it’s not the soulful, classic Motown style we’re all used to, but at least it’s keeping the name alive and doing Motown justice. Motown isn’t in the media’s eye, but the silent giant is still there, inspiring and encouraging artists to stay true to their style.
Motown has grown over 50 years of nothing but success. Including recent stars, such as Boyz II Men, Shanice and Ne-Yo. They will continue to produce music as long as people keep listening to it. True, it’s not the soulful, classic Motown style we’re all used to, but at least it’s keeping the name alive and doing Motown justice. Motown isn’t in the media’s eye, but the silent giant is still there, inspiring and encouraging artists to stay true to their style.