Motown Research Paper

Michael began his career as the lead singer in his older brothers' band when his father Joseph Jackson discovered that he had a distinct singing voice and the dance steps to go with it. At first, the Jackson 5 played local gigs and built a strong following. They recorded one single on their own, but it failed to generate much interest. In 1968, Motown had signed the Jackson 5 in 19

1.1Summarise the development of the UK popular music recording industry from the 1950’s to the present day.

In a bold stroke in 1928, however, Henry Ford with the assistance of his son, Edsel, introduced a completely redesigned car, which proved to be an instant hit with the public. Ford Motor Company was able to regain much of its stature as a leader in the industry. This popular new car was called the Ford ______________.

Eventually this band started up Muscle Shoals Sound Studios in 1969 combining rock, soul, country, blues, proto-funk and more just to create a sound that would be uniquely American coming from this little corner of northwestern Alabama.

The girl groups became a popular phenomenon and dominated the United States musical industry from 1958 to 1966. During this tme period, many girl groups was created and became popular, such as The Crystals, The Shirelles, The Supremes, etc. Motown was the name of the record company that was owned by Berry Gordan. During the 1960s, Motown records signed with many girl groups, which lead to the name of Motown Girl Group. In addition to the popularizing the girl groups in 1960s, Motown record also played a large role in influence the style of music that was performed by the girl groups. The music style that was performed by the Motown Girl Groups is that of a soul music, but also contains influence from pop music, this became known as the Motown

Hordy wanted Motown to be the “sound of young America,” so he instructed his artists to focus on universal things, such as loss and romance. He made songwriters use spiritual songs for inspiration so they had a sense in what he wanted; it allowed records to attract to both, black and white, audiences. Bill Barol noted, “Motown was instantly recognizable on a car radio or hi-fi: it was sweet, soulful, polished but emotional. And always, without fail, there was the beat” (Barol). The sound of Motown was so different, that it had a distinct sound whenever you heard the music playing.

Walker & the All-Stars, the duo of Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell plus the youthful, Jackson 5 kept Motown were high on the charts. Proving it could change as musical fashion did, Motown racked up more hits imbued with psychedelic soul and funk overtones and socially conscious themes, led by producer Norman Whitfield. By the mid-1980s Motown had started losing money, and Berry Gordy sold his ownership in Motown to MCA Records and Boston Ventures in June 1988 for $61 million for which had only costed him $800 in 1959. Motown today continued to have a massive impact in music and the style of the way music is

During the next 10 years, the British foursome out of Liverpool went on to become the most successful musical act of all time. According to the Recording Industry Association of America, The Beatles are the best-selling musical act of all time in the United States. They released more than 40 different singles and albums that reached number one at one point or another. Rolling Stone magazine ranked them the #1 group

Motown Records was founded in 1959 by Berry Gordy who turned his music production company into history’s most successful black-owned record label company.

Between 1964 and 1967 Motown recorded sixty top fifteen pop chart hits, fourteen of which were number ones. But Motown’s success was almost unfathomable to the music industry as a record label ran by an African American with African American musicians and producers. Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown, managed to create black music and commercialize it directly to a white American audience that was often times only willing to consume music that was at least covered by a white musician. This all occurred in the wake of the “British Invasion”, from 1964 to 1966, where young white Americans became drawn to male-dominated guitar-based groups. With Billboard’s decision to combine

The Motown Museum in Detroit is truly a motivational part of America’s history; it stood for another way for African American voices to be heard on a much greater scale both national and even world wide. Motown has become America’s pop soul music for anyone and everyone.

Initially, protected by patents, Edison, Columbia, and Victor maintained an oligopoly in the recording market for many years. They extended their reach around the globe through alliances and partnership with smaller companies, such as the newly established Gramophone Company (which become Victor’s European representative). Afterwards, RCA/Victor, EMI, and CBS Records dominated the industry during the 1930s and 1940s. The six largest companies produced 158 of the 163 records that achieved “gold record” status between 1946 and 1952. Since the Depression, mergers and acquisitions accelerated during the 1980s and 1990s, which leads to nearly 85% of the global market for recorded music rested in BMG Entertainments, EMI, Sony Music Entertainment,

Lastly there was the genre Motown which hit its peak of popularity in the 1960s. It brought a new rhythm called the “back beat” that was enjoyed because it was easy to dance to. Berry Gordy Jr. started the Motown Company in 1962 and brought up artists like Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Little Stevie Wonder, The Jackson Five, and Diana Ross and the Supremes (Holland 109). All of these artists are well known and still listened to today.

Motown took the world over by surprise. The vivid and new sounds from Motown artists made screaming dedicated fans all over the world. With the addicted fans, Motown artists raised the bad and opened the eyes of those who thought African Americans would never amount to anything. Although there still happened to be racism, and prejudice, African Americans managed to become recognized and well known for their abilities. Not only were the Motown artists extraordinary talented, but they also were unbelievably strong and persistent for going against all those people out there who discriminated on them. They took the criticisms continued and went on with what they loved to do. One of the most famous groups during the

Over the years, African American Music has developed as not only as cultural but also artistic phenomenon affecting the world. The music takes its own stand of being dominant as well of having a prevailing means of expression through the use of the lyrics. The lyrics of many songs tend to use a specific type of language in order to create that connection between the listeners. This certain style of language helps the listeners to think on a deeper level about the real meaning behind the lyrics.