Motown was officially founded in Jan 1959 with an $800 family loan. The first label was TAMLA, initially the name Tammy/Tammie was considered, but declined so not to infringe on copyrights of the popular song with the same name by Debbie Reynolds. Berry had been a boxer, and an assembler at Ford Motors by trade, but his love for Jazz steered him to open a record store prior to starting Motown Records.
His sisters (Anna and Gwen) were already in the record business. Anna had started the ANNA label with Roquel Davis having both as writers. This label started around the same time as Tamla, but had better distribution from previous connections made with Checker Records (division of Chess Records/Leonard Chess of Chicago, IL). Whom both had worked as the Detroit area reps. and distributors, and including the GONE Record label. By 1961 Motown eventually absorbed the Anna label, and subsequent labels founded by Gwen's husband Harvey Fuqua (Harvey, Tri-Phi).
This company started after a number of moderately successful compositions by Berry Gordy that Jackie Wilson had sung, such as 'Reet Petite'.
This corporation had grown and at one point had owned, distributed or represented over 60 different record labels, in almost every genre from Jazz, Gospel, Spoken Word, Rock, Country & Western, Soul, etc. Several labels had only released one title. (see Ecology w/Sammie Davis Jr. and Blaze w/Funk Brother Jack Ashford).
Motown was founded on Jan. 12, 1959 by Berry Gordy in Detroit when he bought the recording company "Motown" for $800
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barry gordy jr.
Berry Gordy Jr.
Founded Motown.
Berry Gordy, Jr.
Motown records, originally named Tamla records, was founded by Berry Gordy Jr in Detroit, Michigan.
Berry Gordy, Jr., established Motown Records
Berry Gordy, Jr., established Motown Records
barry gordy jr.
Berry Gordy
Berry Gordy created Motown records.
Berry Gordy, Jr.
Berry Gordy Jr.
Berry Gordy, Jr.
Berry Gordy, the founder.
Founded Motown.
Berry Gordy
Berry Gordy, Jr.