Motown brought together rhythm-and-blues, gospel, and pop influences as it sought to “cross over” (i.e., move beyond single-genre listeners) to reach a wide audience that included white teenagers. Motown records were specifically mixed to sound good on car radios and were characterized by a thumping backbeat that made dancing easy for everyone.
What role did Motown play in the integration of popular music?
Answered 4 years ago · Author has 591 answers and 3.4M answer views. Motown wasn’t significantly different from other record labels because they licensed to EMI for the UK which is where name Tamla Motown came from. Having said that Berry Gordy followed a template from the Detroit car industry by using the best musicians available as his house band, latterly known …
What makes Motown Records so special?
Motown brought together rhythm-and-blues, gospel, and pop influences as it sought to “cross over” (i.e., move beyond single-genre listeners) to reach a wide audience that included white teenagers. Motown records were specifically mixed to sound good on car radios and were characterized by a thumping backbeat that made dancing easy for everyone.
What is the first book about Motown music?
Nov 15, 2018 · Musical techniques from early r&b music like twelve-bar-blues patterns and doo-wop styles were very rarely used. Instead, Motown’s sound was one based on pop structures layered with gospel and blues techniques for its identification with soul music.
How did Motown impact the 1960s?
Jan 09, 2019 · On 12 January 1959, the music sensation that changed America – and the world beyond it – was set in motion. Detroit-born 29-year-old Berry Gordy founded Tamla Records with an $800 loan from ...
What was Motown quizlet?
What were the characteristics of the music created in 1968 by the Flying Burrito Brothers formed by Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman check all that apply?
What nickname was given to the house rhythm section at Motown that played for many hit records?
What was rhythm and blues symbolic of during the fifties and the sixties?
Which aspect of the Allman Brothers Band's instrumentation resulted in a thick full sound and influenced many other bands?
How did T Bone Walker's style of playing differ from that of most Delta guitarists?
Is Motown a sub genre?
What was unique about the Motown Sound?
How is Motown music defined?
What impact did rhythm & blues have on the development of popular music in the 1950s and 1960s?
What impact did R&B have on white audiences?
What R&B means?
What was the role of Motown in the 1960s?
During the 1960s Motown became one of the reigning presences in American popular music, along with the Beatles.
What was the name of the group that recorded Motown?
In 1959, not long after recording Robinson’s group, the Miracles, for New York-based End Records and establishing Jobete Publishing Company, Gordy began Motown Records (its name derived from Detroit’s nickname, “Motor City”). A number of factors came together to make Motown’s success possible at this time. First, after World War II, big-band swing, the dominant popular dance music in the United States during the Great Depression, became passé. Big musical units were no longer economically feasible. Jazz had been taken over by a new group of Young Turk stylists; calling themselves beboppers, they were inclined to play music for listening rather than dancing.
What is the name of the Motown record company?
See Article History. Alternative Titles: Hitsville, Motown Record Corporation. Motown, in full Motown Record Corporation, also called Hitsville, recording company founded by Berry Gordy, Jr., in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., in January 1959 that became one of the most successful Black-owned businesses and one of the most influential independent record ...
What were the factors that made Motown so successful?
First, after World War II, big-band swing, the dominant popular dance music in the United States during the Great Depression, became passé. Big musical units were no longer economically feasible.
When was Motown a success?
Motown enjoyed its greatest success between 1965 and 1968, when it dominated the Billboard charts. Although the company was never quite the force in the 1970s that it was in the ’60s (having lost several key performers), it was still a formidable enterprise with the Jackson 5, the Commodores, Wonder, and Ross.
Where is the Motown studios?
Motown studios, identified by the “Hitsville U.S.A.” banner, West Grand Boulevard, Detroit, Michigan.
Which record company had the highest hit ratio?
As a result of Gordy’s stringent measures, at the height of its popularity (in the mid- to late 1960s), Motown enjoyed the highest hit ratio for its released singles of any record company in history.
How many records did Motown have in the 1960s?
During the 1960s, Motown achieved spectacular success for a small record company: 79 records in the Top Ten of the Billboard Hot 100 record chart between 1960 and 1969.
What was the Motown sound?
In the 1960s, Motown and its subsidiary labels including Tamla Motown, the brand used outside the US were the most successful proponents of what came to be known as the Motown Sound, a style of soul music with a distinct pop influence.
What are soul and motown in common?
Soul and Motown have a lot in common both being a big influence during the civil rights movement and having somewhat the same type of sound. Stax records which was the birth of soul records broke many boundaries like white and blacks working together during a very segregated time.
What are the characteristics of soul music?
Other characteristics are a call and response between the lead vocalist and the chorus and an especially tense vocal sound.
What genre of music was popular in the 1950s?
As for Soul music it was also developed in the 1950’s it combines elements of African-American gospel music, rhythm and blues and jazz. Soul music was a big influence at the same time as Motown during the civil rights movement.
Where did Motown start?
Motown started in Detroit, Michigan the name is also defined as motor town. Motown played is an important role in the racial integration of popular music as an African American-owned record label that achieved significant crossover success.
What is soul music?
According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is “music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of funky, secular testifying”. Catchy rhythms, stressed by handclaps and extemporaneous body moves, are an important feature of soul music.
Who is the artist that created Motown?
Motown: The music that changed America. (Image credit: EMI Archive Trust and Universal Music Group) By Arwa Haider 9th January 2019. Sixty years ago, Berry Gordy set up the hit factory of Motown. Arwa Haider looks at how an independent record label created one of the most influential sounds of the 20th Century. O.
When did Gordy sell Motown?
Gordy sold his ownership in Motown in 1988, to major label MCA and an investment banking firm for $61million – noting that this was less than its full worth; indeed, five years later, Polygram would purchase Motown for $301million.
When did Motown release the Freedom Rally?
On the Gordy label, Motown released an album of Martin Luther King’s address to the Freedom Rally held in Detroit on 23 June 1963 (EMI Archive Trust and Universal Music Group) Motown would deliver more explicitly political anthems, too: notably Edwin Starr’s fiery 1970 classic War; its songwriters, Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong, ...
When did the Temptations perform My Girl?
The Temptations perform their signature hit My Girl in 1965 (Courtesy of EMI Archive Trust and Universal Music Group) Motown was always a serious business, fuelled by the sweetest sounds.
Who signed with Gordy before Motown?
Before Motown, Gordy had signed deals for two singles by rising R&B stars The Miracles, featuring a young Smokey Robinson – only to receive a royalty cheque for just $3.19. Robinson reportedly told Gordy: “You might as well start your own record label; I don’t think you could do any worse than this.”.
Is Motown still independent?
The ‘Motown Sound’ is unmistakeable for its glorious melodies and killer hooks; the Motown spirit – as embodied by the vivacious, tenacious Gordy himself (now 89) – is exceptional, even if the label is no longer independent (it’s currently part of Universal Records).
Is the music industry harmonious?
The music industry is not a naturally harmonious environment ; tensions and rivalries bristled from Motown’s earliest breakthroughs and its “assembly line” work ethic was not for the faint-hearted. Marvin Gaye once wryly quipped: “It was a loving Gestapo – because Berry is a loving cat – but it was still the Gestapo.”.
What was the Motown label?
Motown put talent at the top of its agenda, then set about directing it. The label quickly signed artists who would make a huge impact. Gordy had written hits for Jackie Wilson in the 50s and knew something about what made great records, so his A&R instincts were strong. Motown had an apparently endless supply of talent on its doorstep in Detroit, and, once established, artists beat a path to the company’s door, knowing they’d get a hearing.
What is the sound of Motown?
Not only did Gordy attempt to emulate the production-line techniques of Detroit’s motor industry, there was a “Motown sound” that was relentless, rhythmic, sometimes almost mechanical. The crashing snare drum like a press stamping out steel for body parts.
What did Motown know about the struggle with The Man?
Motown’s songwriters and producers were as hip as anyone. If a petal fell from a flower in San Francisco in 1966, the vibrations were felt in Detroit. They were cool. They knew about marijuana – most of the Motown musicians had a grounding in jazz, which was a scene rife with drugs. They knew about the struggle with The Man better than any white student; they fought him every day. They didn’t have to say it outright, they lived it.
How many No.1s did Motown have?
The label enjoyed 10 US No.1s between 1965-67, and this music was as much a part of the 60s landscape as any other: “Stop!
What were the major soul music companies in the 60s?
Some sprouted from a single record store or nightclub. Others were well funded. Large companies focused on R&B and jazz – two of the foundation stones of soul music – already existed, such as Atlantic, Vee-Jay, and Chess, and were already established by the time Motown came along. By the end of the 60s, however, Vee-Jay was a distant memory, Atlantic was chiefly focused on hard rock and Chess had failed to turn its undeniably brilliant soul and blues artists into superstars. But Motown had become a major corporation, its success built on talent, drive, and internal competition.
Where did the kids from Motown come from?
And one further group signed to Motown at the end of the 60s: a group of kids from Gary, Indiana, a known entity in the music business who had yet to make an impact: Jackson 5.
When was Motown founded?
Motown was founded in 1959 as Tamla Records, and it acquired the name Motown in April 1960 – the ideal time to launch a record company built on black music. In the early 60s, the music industry was rapidly expanding. African-American singers would soon reach a bigger audience than ever before.
How did Motown production work?
The Motown production process has been described as factory-like. The Hitsville studios remained open and active 22 hours a day, and artists would often go on tour for weeks, come back to Detroit to record as many songs as possible, and then promptly go on tour again. Berry Gordy held quality control meetings every Friday morning, and used veto power to ensure that only the very best material and performances would be released. The test was that every new release needed to fit into a sequence of the top five selling pop singles of the week. Several tracks that later became critical and commercial favorites were initially rejected by Gordy, the two most notable being the Marvin Gaye songs " I Heard It Through the Grapevine " and " What's Going On ". In several cases, producers would rework tracks in hopes of eventually getting them approved at a later Friday morning meeting, as producer Norman Whitfield did with "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" and The Temptations' " Ain't Too Proud to Beg ".
How many records did Motown have in the 1960s?
During the 1960s, Motown achieved 79 records in the top-ten of the Billboard Hot 100 between 1960 and 1969. Following the events of the Detroit Riots of 1967, and the loss of key songwriting/production team Holland–Dozier–Holland that year over pay disputes, Gordy moved Motown to Los Angeles, California.
What was the role of Motown in the 1960s?
In the 1960s, Motown and its subsidiary labels (including Tamla Motown, the brand used outside the US) were the most of the Motown sound, a style of soul music with a mainstream pop appeal. Motown was the most successful soul music label, with a net worth of $61 million. During the 1960s, Motown achieved 79 records in the top-ten of the Billboard Hot 100 between 1960 and 1969.
What is the Motown name?
Its name, a portmanteau of motor and town, has become a nickname for Detroit, where the label was originally headquartered. Motown played an important role in the racial integration of popular music as an African ...
How many top 10 hits did Motown have?
From 1961 to 1971, Motown had 110 top 10 hits. Top artists on the Motown label during that period included the Supremes (initially including Diana Ross ), the Four Tops, and the Jackson 5, while Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, the Marvelettes, and the Miracles had hits on the Tamla label.
What labels did Motown release?
In the United Kingdom, Motown's records were released on various labels: at first London (only the Miracles' "Shop Around"/" Who's Lovin' You " and "Ain't It Baby"), then Fontana ("Please Mr. Postman" by the Marvelettes was one of four) and then Oriole American (" Fingertips " by Little Stevie Wonder was one of many).
When did Motown become independent?
Motown expanded into film and television production. It was an independent company until MCA Records bought it in 1988. PolyGram purchased the label from MCA in 1993, followed by MCA successor Universal Music Group, which acquired PolyGram in 1999.
Who owned the studios in Motown?
Gordy owned the means of production. He owned the studio complex, pressing plants, distribution companies and a publishing arm, Jobete, that brought in millions of dollars. Motown didn’t have to rely on other companies to achieve success. Many other black-owned companies tried to emulate Motown by opening, at the very least, their own recording facilities, including All Platinum in New Jersey and Prince ’s Paisley Park label and studio.
What did Gordy do at Motown?
Gordy’s work in Detroit’s motor industry made him realise that similar production-line techniques might be deployed at Motown. He had an array of writers and producers churning out top tunes for the label’s artists and the songs were not always fashioned for any particular voice: Barbara Randolph was as likely to record a song as Four Tops. Motown was proud of this and declared itself “Detroit’s other world-famous assembly line”. Also, Gordy saw how other labels had failed, and vowed to avoid their mistakes. Hence, he employed Vee Jay’s former executive Ed Abner and didn’t only use his experience as a record man, but learned from Abner how such a successful label, which once released records by The Beatles, had gone kaput.
How did Berry Gordy and Motown pioneer African-American businesses?
How Berry Gordy And Motown Pioneered African-American Businesses. From a tiny $800 loan, Berry Gordy turned Motown into the biggest African-American business of its era, paving the way for black-owned labels that followed. Published on. February 27, 2019. By.
What did Berry Gordy do in the 50s?
Go for what you know. In the mid-50s Berry Gordy had run a record shop, the 3-D Record Mart. He’d also become a successful songwriter, penning hits for prototype soul star Jackie Wilson. Had Gordy entered the booze trade or opened a boutique, he would probably have failed. But music was his passion.
How many songs did Smokey Robinson write?
Smokey Robinson wrote 100 songs before he had one accepted by Gordy. Hence, he had to work hard to be good enough. Jackson 5 had released several singles before Motown signed them, but Gordy had the insight to drive his songwriters and producers to deliver the songs that would fulfill their glittering potential. Gordy had been writing hits since 1957, so knew what it took. He tried never to release substandard material by artists he felt had star quality.
How many songs did Smokey Robinson write before he had one accepted by Gordy?
Smokey Robinson wrote 100 songs before he had one accepted by Gordy. Hence, he had to work hard to be good enough. Jackson 5 had released several singles before Motown signed them, but Gordy had the insight to drive his songwriters and producers to deliver the songs that would fulfil their glittering potential.
What was Gordy's first instinct?
Gordy’s first instinct was to employ the most brilliant people he could find. He was an active talent-spotter throughout his career, supporting young artists that he believed had the fundamentals to find success, from singers such as The Supremes and Commodores to songwriters such as Ashford & Simpson and Willie Hutch.
Who were the three most prolific writers of Motown?
songwriting teams behind innumerable Motown Records hits; consisted of Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Eddie Holland, who were three of the most prolific writers of the Motown era and were some of the greatest and most talented songwriters of all time
Who were the original members of Motown?
they were an outstanding all-female Motown group that made music history as well; they were considered the most successful African American musical act of the 1960s; there were originally four founding members of the group: Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson, Diana Ross, and Betty McGlown
Where is Motown from?
refers to a style of vocal and instrumental music that was produced in Detroit, Michigan; the name Motown is a derivative of Detroit's nickname, "Motor-town"; Motown was incorporated in 1959 as Tamla Records--this record company became legendary for its hit-producing success and innovative approach to creating hit records
Who wrote the song "Lonely Teardrops"?
American soul singer and Motown recording artist... he was famous for "Lonely Teardrops", a song written by label owner Berry Gordy Jr.; when Berry first connected with him, they collaborated on the song "Reet Petite" in 1957, and he recorded it
What was Martha Reeves's style?
Martha Reeves's full-throated, soulful vocal style , which reflected a rise in southern soul and set the stage for Aretha Franklin later in the decade. Gospel Music. Rock communities embraced southern R&B as the "real thing.". True - pg 244.
Is there a stylistic difference between Atlantic and Southern Soul?
There are no stylistic differences between Atlantic's approaches to sweet soul and southern soul. T or F