Hitsville U.S.A
Motown stands for more than just the historic music. The label and its remarkable legacy is a reflection of the hard work of dedicated individuals overcoming incredible obstacles to achieve great success.
"Today, Motown is not only the greatest pop music hit factory ever heard, but an institution, a state of mind, a way of life, a style, the “Sound of Young America.” The distinctive, upbeat and uplifting music brought together pop and soul, white and black, old and young, like never before and continues to this day. Regardless of race or social background, teenage girls admired Diana Ross and teenage boys pretended to be Smokey Robinson. Motown became the heartbeat of American pop music. With multi-platinum artists ranging from the Miracles, Temptations, Four Tops and Supremes to Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Jackson 5, the House That Gordy Built had and has no rival."
"Motown defined the term “crossover” not only on record and stage, but also behind the scenes." After having pop radio embrace Motown artists, Berry Gordy started on television, movies. He booked his artists on popular shows such as American Bandstand and The Ed Sullivan Show. After amazing national audiences with repeat performances on these shows, The Supremes were the first R&B act to play the country’s most popular night club, New York’s Copacabana, which paved the way for other R&B acts around the world.
Motown was the first African-American-owned record label that reached widespread national fame. "Motown broke down racial prejudice by becoming the most successful independent record company in history and the most successful African-American-owned business in America."
"Today, Motown is not only the greatest pop music hit factory ever heard, but an institution, a state of mind, a way of life, a style, the “Sound of Young America.” The distinctive, upbeat and uplifting music brought together pop and soul, white and black, old and young, like never before and continues to this day. Regardless of race or social background, teenage girls admired Diana Ross and teenage boys pretended to be Smokey Robinson. Motown became the heartbeat of American pop music. With multi-platinum artists ranging from the Miracles, Temptations, Four Tops and Supremes to Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Jackson 5, the House That Gordy Built had and has no rival."
"Motown defined the term “crossover” not only on record and stage, but also behind the scenes." After having pop radio embrace Motown artists, Berry Gordy started on television, movies. He booked his artists on popular shows such as American Bandstand and The Ed Sullivan Show. After amazing national audiences with repeat performances on these shows, The Supremes were the first R&B act to play the country’s most popular night club, New York’s Copacabana, which paved the way for other R&B acts around the world.
Motown was the first African-American-owned record label that reached widespread national fame. "Motown broke down racial prejudice by becoming the most successful independent record company in history and the most successful African-American-owned business in America."