Motown's Influence On American Music

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

Music has continued to change throughout each decade, but the 1960s was the most influential decade in the history of music. Starting in the early 1950s, rock music was first introduced. Major record labels were releasing new “cover songs” which were originally made by black artist, but now by white artist (Rock and Roll). These cover songs changed a few lyrics from the original songs to avoid copyright issues and to also make the song more appropriate for the white listeners. The biggest star of the 1950s was Elvis Presley, who was known as the “King of rock n’ roll”.

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 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.

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.

On February 19, 1940 Smokey Robinson was born. Save for founder Berry Gordy, no one has been more connected with the recording empire in Detroit known as Motown than the great William “Smokey” Robinson. First he leads the Miracles singing Group then he did other things such as being a producing at Motown, writing sons for them, he also became very close to Gordy you can say he was his right hand man. Smokey Miracles were signed second in Gordy’s management and production company. Motown was just a big old family and everyone knows family have affairs. The Primettes best known as the Supremes because they had later changed their name. They ended up auditioning at Motown because they knew Diana Ross she was a neighbor of Robinson’s. Between 1960 and 1971 the Miracles was really popping they scored twenty-seven pop soul hits with their leader Smokey Robinson songs such as “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me,” “Mickey’s Monkey,” “Going to a Go-Go” and “I Second That Emotion”.

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.

The roots of modern american rock and roll music, are firmly planted in Africa. As the native Africans were torn apart from their family’s and brought to the new world their lives were immediately and drastically changed forever. Finding themselves immersed in a completely new environment with a foreign culture, they thankfully persevered and carried on with their own traditions and most importantly to this paper, musical ones. Most American slaves originated from Western and Central Africa. The West Africans carried a musical tradition rich with long melody lines, complicated rhythms (poly rhythmics) and stringed instruments CITATION. The West Africans music was also strongly integrated into their everyday lives. Songs were preformed for religious ceremonies and dances and music was often a

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

This judgment began unexpectedly to spread as African American music, especially the blues and jazz, became a worldwide sensation. Black music provided the pulse of the Harlem Renaissance and of the Jazz Age more generally. The rise of the “race records” industry, beginning with OKeh’s recording of Mamie Smith’s

Throughout the history of this country, the music of African-Americans has remained a strong influence upon our society and culture. Beginning with the music carried over from Africa with the slaves, up until now, with the new styles created by urban youth today, African-Americans have retained certain elements within their music which makes it unique from any other musical form. Some of the musical forms which were created from, and/or were strongly influenced by afro-centric musical characteristics are: Hymnals, Gospel, Spirituals, Ragtime, the blues, and R&B. While many of these musical forms are still popular today amongst Blacks and Non-Blacks, jazz and hip-hop are arguably the two most widespread and

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

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)