Motown Impact On Society

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

During the Civil Rights era, African Americans changed the way people looked at music by ending the segregation in the music world and by making a well-known “soundtrack” and influence during the Civil Rights Movement.

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

African American influence in music has been an ever present and controversial subject in American history. Stemming from many different cultures, religions and backgrounds, large portions of American music was introduced by, and credited to African Americans. Although in many cases, this music was used for entertainment by the masses or majority, contrary to popular belief, black music served a greater purpose than just recreation. Dating all the way back to the beginning of slavery in the U.S. during the 17th century, music has been used to make a statement and send a message. As African American music progressed over the years, there were common themes expressed as the genres evolved. It has been an open letter to the world, documenting and protesting the ongoing oppression faced by blacks in the United States, as well as an outlet for frustration. For many African Americans, the music gave them the only voice that couldn’t be silenced by their oppressors.

     The birth of Motown music came to be in a small recording studio aptly named Hitsville, U.S.A. Barry Gordy, who came from a large middle class family had borrowed money in order. The main stage of Motown music came from a small house that had been remodeled into a recording studio, the name of the company was Hitsville, U.S.A. Mr. Gordy had gathered the best jazz and blues players in and Motown was born through his genius. This small but dynamic

2.With performers like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gay, the Temptations, and Diana Ross and the Supremes, Motown Records changed music history. Who founded Motown Records in 1959?

Berry Gordy Jr. started Motown Records in January of 1959 with only an $800 loan from his family and a passion for music. Within a few years of opening Motown Records, what started as a small Detroit record studio, they were selling more singles and releasing more hits than any other recording company. Motown became a cultural icon changing the way music was. Berry Gordy Jr. was known as the most successful African-American owned and operated record company which gave African-American artists a chance to record and sell their music. The embrace of Motown’s artists and recordings by the entire listening audience helped control racial barriers that had plagued the country since its establishment. In its classic era, the eventful music scene of the 1960s, Motown’s artists were among the most popular, establishing a standard of excellence and sophistication that has never been exceeded.

I watched a video from the 50th anniversary presentations. The video I watched was about Rock and Roll, Segregation, and The British Invasion of 1964. It was lectured by Dr. Christy Talbott, and she first talked about the pre rock and roll period. The term Rock and Roll came from a song from the year 1938, that stated “My baby rock and rolls me all night.” Rock and Roll or also known as American Rock, was changed completely after the British Invasion came in 1964. The invasion turned Rock and Roll into what is known today as Rock, it made a change for the good. Musicians in the pre Rock and Roll era, sang about current events similar as we do today. The events they sang about was Segregation, North Vs. South inferiority and the wars that were happening at the time World War 2, Korean War and Vietnam War. THe artists of this time consisted of The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ritchie Valens and the most famous of them all Elvis Presley. Elvis Presley’s music was called “White man with an African American feel.” In 1959 Motown records in Detroit, Michigan hired an all black group called “The Temptations.” Their song “My Girl” hit number one on the billboards in 1964. The man that hired them was Berry Gordy Jr. Berry Gordy Jr also hired all black women groups as well, but unlike the all black male groups he dressed the women groups as white folk.

Motown was established by Berry Gordy Jr. in the later winter of 1959. Then about 3 to 4 years later Motown Records,”was selling more singles and releasing more hits than any other record company.” (Classic Motown) Motown then soon became known as a central icon for many artists and just ordinary people. Motown had such a different and new sound that the people loved it and they wanted more. The love for this music has not gone away. People still listen and talk about the Motown sound and how it changed the way we looked at music. Motown created such fascinating sounds that would make you want to get up and dance. They would put soul, pop, and rock into everything they did. The best thing about Motown was that the artists and the bands and the recording people loved what they did they loved to sing dance play the instruments. This is what made them so successful that they did not have to try hard to love what they did.

In the 1960's, America was ready for a change. Black rhythm and blues known as Motown became popular. Bob

The broadcasting and recording industries did not solely represent the conquering racial assumptions of the 1950's, they internalized them and helped to continue them. Racial conventions permeated the organization and structure of the music industry at every level. The very existence

Black musicians gained respect and a consistent audience. Names such as B.B. King, Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, Little Richard, among others, would not be recognized if it weren’t for John Hammond. The fact that black musicians were accepted and even respected, translated to a beginning of the civil rights movement.3 This attitude slowly carried over from music to the world as a whole with the help of civil rights leaders.

There was one particular sound that really changed America and that was Motown. It was one of the most powerful social and cultural changes to happen to the music industry. Motown brought a racially divided country together and touched the hearts of everyone. It all began when songwriter Berry Gordy founded a label, bought a house, and set up a recording studio in the basement in Detroit. One of the many famous bands/artists to be signed by Motown was the Jackson 5. He got them on The Ed Sullivan show and the rest is history. His cliental grew and the talent kept coming. The lyrics and arrangements being made were simple but they spoke to the heart (Cruz 2009). The creativity that came to be because of Motown, created has a strong mark on the backbone of music.

Establishment of Motown in April 1960, granted opportunities to young African-American singers or a platform to reach vast audiences, were in the past were subjugated. Motown provided various church gospel singers like Sam Cooke, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and others to showcase their talents. Writes Ricky Vincent: “The music followed the people, as both matured and grew to new levels of independence and meaning”. (Vincent, 3) Sam Cooke’s brilliant “Change is going to come”, “Keep on pushing” and Stevie Wonders “Heaven Help us All”, are some of the great example of popular black music. The song’s depicted decade’s long struggles and racial brutality faced by blacks, and challenge society to change the status quo. Vincent Writes “Music that went beyond the personal issues, dealt with higher forces and spoke of the society.”(Vincent, 4)