History: Berry Motown, And The Rise Of Motown

Rowan-Cabarrus Community College

Berry Gordy and the Rise of Motown

Nichole Crews

Mus 210-220N/spring 2015

Todd Campbell

May 10, 2015

Motown was founded by Berry Gordy Jr, in 1959; Motown had 110 top 10 hits. Motown acts were enjoying a widespread popularity among black/white audiences alike where William “Smokey” Robinson stated “Into the '60s, I was still not of a frame of mind that we were not only making music, we were making history. But I did recognize the impact because acts were going all over the world at that time. I recognized the bridges that we crossed, the racial problems and the barriers that we broke down with music. I recognized that because I lived it. I would come to the South in the early days of Motown and

Though many whites saw Motown as another form of pop music of the time African American saw it as a way to make decent money and to let their voice and opinions become heard, it offered them some way of freedom. Motown helped break down some racial barriers during this era. Motown forced America to confront its own feelings about race, community, intolerance, justice and reality. It was another way for African American voices to be heard on a much greater scale both national and international. Motown artist could appeal to whites their image was positive and tasteful. It paved the way peaceful integration by forcing a common ground for races though music in a time of social injustice. His artist crossed over the charts in a heavily whites dominated the

listening public and started making major headlines overseas, Gordy confidently issued a memo stating, “We will release nothing less than Top Ten product on any artist(classic.motown.com)

Motown Celebrated a quarter century, the 1983 TV special Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever featured most of Motown’s original superstars and hailed, as Gaye said during his performance, “Twenty-five years of climbing and building and opening doors and breaking old rules.” That same year, the film and soundtrack album The Big Chill connected with the generation that had grown up with the Motown Sound, boosting Motown’s catalog business to unprecedented levels. With continue success in 1972, Motown moved its headquarters to Los Angeles. This allowed for greater participation in the entertainment industry.

In 1988 Gordy sold Motown Records to MCA and Boston Partners, ending Motown’s era as an independent company. In the post-Gordy era, Motown continued to release hit music by new artists such as Boyz II Men, Johnny Gill, alongside veteran performers like Wonder, Ross, and the