Modern Popular Music September 26 2011 Monday Motown started by Berry Gordy Jr Various Motown Artists Top artists and 1 hits from Motown Marvelettes Temptations Supremes Smokey Robinson King of Motown Motown The Sound of Young America 1959 Founded by Berry Gordy Jr in Detroit Creative and financial aspects of business under African American control Music aimed at widest possible audience black AND white A Musical Assembly Line Berry Gordy maintained tight control of all levels of creation and production Unpolished artists would be given vocal training also being groomed for mainstream America Songwriters wrote all music Ashford Simpson Holland Dozier Holland Smokey Robinson Funk Brothers house studio band that played on everybody s records On more 1 hits than Elvis Beach Boys Beatles and Rolling Stones combined Performers went through choreography training before appearing on stage and television Musical Qualities Musical Examples Avoided the blues for a cleaner more sophisticated R B with gospel doo wop influences Simple rhythm emphasizing beats two and four Used new and innovative recording techniques to achieve a unique sound Songs avoided controversial issues stuck with universal themes that appealed to young people Simple songs that could be hummed after a few listenings The Marvelettes Please Mr Postman 1961 First Motown 1 hit Popular girl group style Written by Brian Holland Brian Bateman inspired a sequel Twistin Postman 1961 Covered by Beatles The Temptations Originally formed as The Elgins in Detroit My Girl is 1st 1 hit Known for iconic choreography vocal harmonies and flashy suits My Girl 1964 Written by Smokey Robinson sequel to My Guy 1964 by Mary Wells The Supremes Motown s premiere act in the 60s Renamed Diana Ross and the Supremes in 1967 Hurry Love 1 hit again with P Collins Written by Holland Dozier Holland Very complex song form but still very catchy Smokey Robinson Second at Motown only to Berry Gordy he performed with The Miracles Tracks of My Tears 1965 Written by Smokey Robinson Warren Moore Marvin Tarplin Tracks of my Tears Most covered song by The Miracles Other Motown Artists Mary Wells Marvin Gaye Stevie Wonder The Four Tops Martha and the Vandellas Jr Walker the All Stars The Elgins Gladys Knight the Pops Rave Earth
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