10 of our favourite Motown Records artists 🎶
The legendary label changed music forever
Last updated 20th May 2021
Founded by Berry Gordy Jr in January 1959, Motown Records (originally known as Tamla Records) helped birth a new era of soul artists which went on to change mainstream music forever.
The name derives from 'Motor' and 'Town', named after the automotive hub of Detroit in which Motown HQ was originally located! From Marvin Gaye to The Supremes, we take a look at some of our favourite artists who helped pioneer the movement.
Take a look at some of our favourite Motown Records artists:
Marvin Gaye
Before becoming a successful solo artist, Marvin Gaye worked behind the scenes with some of the biggest artists already signed to Motown Records and was a session drummer for the likes of The Supremes, Little Stevie Wonder and Martha and the Vandellas.
He scored solo recognition with his first Top 40 solo single in 1962 called 'Hitch Hike' before enjoying success with singles like 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine', 'Can I Get A Witness?' and landmark record 'What's Going On' in 1970. In the same year, his singing partner Tammi Terrell, who he sang with on hit 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' tragically passed away with a brain tumour. He swore he would never duet with a female vocalist again and even threatened to abandon his career on stage for good.
Tammi Terrell
Tammi Terrell was a hugely talented singer and star of Motown during the 1960s. She is most famous for her fantastic duets with Marvin Gaye, with whom she achieved seven Top 40 singles in the US, including 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough'. Tragically, her blossoming career was cut short, when she fell into the arms of Marvin Gaye as they performed a concert in October 1967 and was later diagnosed with a brain tumour. After eight unsuccessful surgeries, she sadly died in March 1970, aged 24.
The Supremes
Diana Ross, Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard helped pave the way for other black and female artists to strive for mainstream success. In the mid 60s, the trio's popularity rivalled that of The Beatles, with huge hits including 'Baby Love', 'You Can't Hurry Love' and 'Stop! In the Name of Love' storming the charts backed by legendary songwriting team Holland-Dozier-Holland. In 1967, Cindy Birdsong replaced Florence Ballard and in 1970, with the group now known as Diana Ross & the Supremes, Diana herself left to pursue a solo career!
The Four Tops
The Four Tops seemed a rarity in the world of Motown. Levi Stubbs, Renaldo 'Obie' Benson, Abdul 'Duke' Fakir and Lawrence Payton remained together for four decades. The quartet from Detroit also worked with songwriters and production trio Holland-Dozier-Holland and scored hugely popular singles including 'I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)' and 'Reach Out I'll Be There'. As Motown Records moved from Detroit to Los Angeles and started to focus more on their younger acts rather than established groups like The Four Tops, the quartet remained in the motor city and continued to make music with other labels.
The Jackson 5
The Jackson 5 originated in Gary, Indiana made up of members of the Jackson family. Father and talent manager Joe Jackson founded the pop group, consisting of brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine with younger brothers Marlon and Michael Jackson joining soon after. They signed to Motown after leaving Steeltown Records in 1968 and success soon followed. They enjoyed four consecutive US Number 1 hits on their debut, with songs 'I Want You Back', 'ABC', 'The Love You Save' and 'I'll Be There'.
Stevie Wonder
Motown boss Berry Gordy signed Stevie Wonder at the age of 11, describing the blind singer, songwriter and producer as a child prodigy. When Stevie Wonder released his single 'Fingertips' in 1963, he became the youngest artist ever to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US, at the age of 13. He went on to produce incredible hits like 'Superstition', 'Sir Duke' and 'I Just Called To Say I Love You', which have all solidified him as one of the best-selling artists of all time. He has won 25 Grammy Awards and has been nominated 74 times.
Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
Martha Reeves and the Vandellas was a pop girl group founded by friends Annette Beard, Rosalind Ashford and Gloria Williams in Detroit in 1957. Gloria Williams left the group in 1962 and was replaced by lead vocalist Martha Reeves. Their hits included 'Heat Wave', 'Nowhere to Run' and 'Dancing in the Street, which was later covered by David Bowie and Mick Jagger in 1985.
The Temptations
Like Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, The Temptations hailed from Detroit, Michigan. They were famous for their harmonies and dance moves, helping to bring psychedelic soul music to the mainstream. Their classic songs like 'My Girl' and 'Papa Was A Rollin' Stone' made them one of Motown's biggest selling groups of the 60s and 70s. They were also the first group to bag Motown a Grammy Award with their song 'Cloud Nine' in 1969.
Smokey Robinson and The Miracles
Smokey Robinson founded group the Miracles in 1955 and became one of the first acts signed to Motown. Their 1960 hit 'Shop Around' was the label's first million-selling record and they went on to dominate the charts with songs like 'Tears of a Clown' and 'You've Really Got a Hold on Me'.
The Commodores
In the 1970s, funk and soul group The Commodores were the opening act for Motown heavyweights The Jackson 5. With Lionel Richie as their lead vocalist, the group caught the attention of Motown and reached their peak in the late 70s and early 80s, scoring hits like 'Easy' and 'Three Times A Lady'. Lionel Richie went on to enjoy a hugely successful solo career.
Now read:
Motown legend Diana Ross' most iconic songs of all time
Tina Turner: The pop icon behind 'Proud Mary' and many more hits