Money thats what i want by barrett strong, written by berry gordy jr. Its name, a portmanteau of motor and town, has become a nickname for detroit, where the label was originally headquartered. This book is old originally published in 1986 but its a fun read for. The book motown features many other fascinating tales of the wild and woolly early 60s music scene. It was arguably the last great burst of motown creativity. The book also sheds light on the social historical context of. This is a primary source because it was information from a book. Those court records provide the unofficialand hitherto largely untoldhistory of. The iconic motown records label was founded in 1959 by visionary record producer and songwriter, berry gordy jr.
History photo courtesy of the motown museum the temptations a retrospective. Three more fascinating books in a multivolume oral history of rock and soul music, edited by one of americas preeminent pop music journalists. To order this wonderful book, visit the motown museum online store. The first lady of motownclaudette firstlady robinson of the miraclesreads her new childrens book, claudettes miraculous motown adventure in a new motown story time. The book also sheds light on the social historical context of midcentury america, touching on the motor city economy as well as the africanamerican civil rights movement.
Reconstructing the history of motown session musicians. The definitive visual history of motown, the most successful independent record company in the. Incorporated on january 12, 1959 by berry gordy, jr. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Tomorrow night, in honor of black history month, the white house holds a gala to celebrate music that greatly. Top 10 books on 1960s america music books the guardian.
Rerelease of the first book ever published in america about the legendary motown record company, with a new foreword by legendary. Claudette robinson pens a motown book entertainment. Those controversies arent as central to this motown book as the jacket implies. In this book youre getting exposed to some lesser known events in motowns history along with community history of detroit. The story of motown an evergreen book the lost supreme. History of motown legendary music producer berry gordy performed a kind of miracle with motown music. The temptations story is an epic journey of courage, struggle, triumphs, setbacks, and ultimately, international superstardom. The history of motown can be viewed by checking out our motown timeline. The company gave its name to the hugely popular style of soul music that it created. It shows the significant impact detroit has had on the development of jazz in america, with its own sound, distinct from that of the other jazz centers of chicago, new orleans, st. For a narrativetype history of motown, the posner should suffice for now. This website helped me understand berry gordys background and how he created motown records. In 1961, ales and gordy were just looking for a meal, but they ended up integrating. The first movie documentary about motown records with founder berry gordys active participation is in production, for release in 2018.
Motown the history one brilliant book written by sharon davies,so much information. The music, the magic, the memories of motown 1994, and on the history of his founding and running of the motown record label, and his personal and professional relationships with motown artists such as diana ross, smokey robinson, marvin gaye. Whyisitimportanttoknowyourcustomerbeforestartinganykindofbusiness. The story of motown records captured in new book the vinyl factory. Call the family together and enjoy an afternoon in the kingdom of motown.
Motown music the sound that changed america motown. The second edition of women of motown by author susan whitall contains new chapters and information, updating this criticallyacclaimed oral history of the ladies who made motown a sound heard round the world. Your child will learn about the history of music and the history of segregation in america with this motown worksheet. Agreed, the posner book is a reference that can certainly be described as rehash, but that doesnt change the fact that right now its one of the better goto sources for all the classic motown stories and rumors that is in print and easily found. This book will be of greatest interest to scholars in the music business and urban. After edwards returned to the fold resulting in prices hasty exit, the temptations reentered the motown stable, and scored a 1980 hit with power. On 12 january 1959, the music sensation that changed america and the world beyond it was set in motion. The motown museum is a highlight of the musical history of detroit. Motown records is an american record label owned by universal music group.
The story of motown under the radar music magazine. In 1959, a teenagedrobinson was the first female signed to berry gordys motown records as. The book that answers the questions about the motown nobody knows. Otherwise, thanks to the thorough research behind it, readers can apparently trust gordys rundown of motown history.
The story of motown is the story of berry gordys triumph over powerful. Unashamedly academic and analytical, this history of motown dispenses with easy cliches and argues that motown was an important but ultimately compromised moment in black capitalism. The sound of young america features more than 1,000 illustrations, including colour and blackandwhite images of all the companys major stars. New book on motown looks at company behind the scene. The life of dreamgirl florence ballard lawrence hill books, 2008. Gordy, distracted by hollywood, released two films starring diana ross mahogany and the billie holiday biopic lady sings the blues. A tour followed, but problems with motown, as well as personal differences, cut ruffins and kendricks tenures short. This is a great book if you want to learn some history behind motown music this will definitely. When gordy does address them, he manages to at least sound logical about the issues. In 1982, ruffin and kendricks returned for reunion, which also included all five of the thencurrent temptations. Ebsco publishing firm annotation tells the stories of notable groups of people of color a companion series to the awardwinning black americans of achievement biographiesfrom the supremes, the jackson five, and the. The story of motown records captured in new book the.
Another mustread from benjaminson, this is a book detailing one of the most undersung divas in motown history. This useful but often flat history of legendary motown records is the first musicrelated work by posner, who is best known for his books on the assassinations of. A collaboration between motown aficionado adam white and berry godys right hand man barney ales, the book is unparalleled in its visual. Rerelease of the first book ever published in america about the legendary motown record company, with a new foreword by legendary music journalist greil. Claudettes miraculous motown adventure claudette robinson is known as the first lady of motown. The musical is a jukebox musical that premiered on broadway in april 20. Let me tell a portion of my story in a fantasy that children can learn about the beginning of the history of motown with the miracles being the very first group and me. Suzanne smith chooses to highlight several episodes in motowns history against the history of detroit that was taking place behind it. One that shifts the balance more toward the creation of the music and less of the gossipy whosleptwith who stuff.
Motown timeline, motown sound motown museum home of. The story of motown is the first book ever published about the history of the motown record company, originally released in 1979. Before motown is the first book about the history of jazz in detroit. The sound of young america, by adam white and barney ales. On july 16, the houston symphony presents the men of motown featuring spectrum, a concert celebrating the rich musical legacy of some of motowns greatest artists. This photo of a group of motown artists in a jam session was used on the motown sound page. Rerelease of the first book ever published in america about the legendary motown. The story of motown paperback illustrated, november, 2018. Search the history of over 431 billion web pages on the internet. Probably the most concise, wellconstructed history of the motown.
Peter benjaminson is the author of three other books about the motown record company and its artists. Spectrum will appear with the houston symphony as part of our the men of motown concert this july at jones hall. Headlining the concert will be the vocal ensemble spectrum, one of the best motownstyle. In fact, berry gordy created a 24hour hitmaking and artist development factory, nurturing the artistic talent of the singers, writers, producers, as well as corporate executives. The musical is based on berry gordys autobiography to be loved. The story of motown is the first book ever published about the history of. When james jamerson died in 1983, he was a completely unknown figure. Within four years he had released talking book, innervisions, and songs in the key of life.
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