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The Motown Years (1959 to 1979) This is strictly my opinion based upon the start of the Motown Corporation and their popularity until the time of their decline. This decline began when disco started becoming more popular and the old soul/romance/R&B formula just wasn't producing the numbers on the charts that they had before.

Motown experimented with disco and a number of artists were leaning toward that sound, but Berry was adamant about 'Soul' music and didn't heed the turn of the tide. Artists were seeking creativity release, and major talent was starting to sign with other labels. While The Commodores were still considered hot going head to head with the likes of Kool & The Gang on the charts.

Michael Jackson moves to Epic/CBS records and blows up the charts with "Off The Wall", though later the Jacksons left the label, with Jermaine being the only Jackson remaining due to loyality to father-in-law Berry Gordy. Motown retains the naming rights to "The Jackson Five" thus the name change to The Jacksons.

The Spinners left in 1972, with G.C. Cameron remaining with Motown primarily because he was Anna Gordy's 2d spouse. Temptations, Miracles, Four Tops were also seeking other labels. Though The Temptations departure was staved off due to the free reign given to Norman Whitfield and his compositions [especially Cloud Nine, Puzzle People and Psychedelic Shack]

Detroit, Michigan is nicknamed the motor city. It is the main headquarters for General Motors, Ford and Chrysler.

Out of a small house on 1719 Gladstone Street Detroit 6, MI. before moving to the (now landmark) larger dwelling on Grand Blvd.

The Motown Years (1959 to 1979) This is strictly my opinion based upon the start of the Motown Corporation and their popularity until the time of their decline. This decline began when disco started becoming more popular and the old soul/romance/R&B formula just wasn't producing the numbers on the charts that they had before.

Motown experimented with disco and a number of artists were leaning toward that sound, but Berry was adamant about 'Soul' music and didn't heed the turn of the tide. Artists were seeking creativity release, and major talent was starting to sign with other labels. While The Commodores were still considered hot going head to head with the likes of Kool & The Gang on the charts.

Michael Jackson moves to Epic/CBS records and blows up the charts with "Off The Wall", though later the Jacksons left the label, with Jermaine being the only Jackson remaining due to loyality to father-in-law Berry Gordy. Motown retains the naming rights to "The Jackson Five" thus the name change to The Jacksons.

The Spinners left in 1972, with G.C. Cameron remaining with Motown primarily because he was Anna Gordy's 2d spouse. Temptations, Miracles, Four Tops were also seeking other labels. Though the Temptations departure was staved off due to the free reign given to Norman Whitfield and his compositions [especially Cloud Nine, Puzzle People and Psychedelic Shack]

since it is year 2009 it is Motown 50th anniversary so that means this year Motown 25 happened 25 years ago.

James Jamerson

why they call it motown

A charm school for the earlier singing groups. The charm school provided education in proper etiquette for the singers performance and stage present as well as social graces.

Motown really tried to make their artists stars and they were very well groomed. They were taught how to dance, dress and sing. Motown also had some of the best song writers, so that combined with the talent and readiness of the artists produced huge hits resulting in financial success for Motown.

Motown session musician Earl Van Dyke directed the Funk Brothers as a heavy handed leader.

Bobby Darin's "Splish Splash" becomes the first eight-track recording to be pressed into a 45 RPM single.

Technically it's still going on, as Motown still exists as a record label within the Universal Music group; but most people consider the "Motown era" to be either from 1959 to 1972 - when the company was based in Detroit before moving to Los Angeles - or from 1959 to 1988, when the company was sold to RCA and ceased to be an independent label.

Now That's What I Call Motown was created on 2009-01-13.

They didn't "record" on a Motown label as such, but some of their UK recordings were licensed for release in the USA by the Motown group's new "white rock" label, Rare Earth Records, in 1969.

Motown is short for Motor Town, a variation of the Motor City. It refers to Detroit, Michigan. It is the name for a style of music that was very popular in the 50's and 60's and typically consisted of groups of three or four singers. Some examples would be Dianna Ross and the Supremes, the Four Tops, the Isley Brothers and Gladys Knight and the Pips.

Motown records, originally named Tamla records, was founded by Berry Gordy Jr in Detroit, Michigan.

Devil In The Bottle - TG Sheppard on Motown's Country & Western label Melodyland. This short lived label name was claimed by a church in California, and rather than fight in court, Berry Gordy changed the labels name to Hitsville.

Just think Supremes, Temptations and the Hippie movement. All were prominent, exaggerated paisleys, halter dresses and pants suits, plantofmshoes,hhats, sunglasses,glitz and glamour over the top.

start off with a question. then some history of when it started and then a realy good ending.

The contracts with CBS meant the royalty rate they would receive would be 20% instead of the 2.8% Motown offered, they would also allow the brothers to write and produce their own music.

Approximate running time:

2 hrs 6 min

The time may vary, of course, depending on the theatre performing it, the actors involved, length of scene changes, and the intermission length.

It would be a safe estimate at 2 hours :)