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Motown Research Paper

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This label I’m most intrigued with is a subsidiary of Universal Music group known as Motown Records. Founded by Berry Gordy, the label was originally known as Tamla Records, but it changed its’ name after suggestions from the Ford assembly line. Now the title Motown fits the city that it was established in, Detroit, Michigan which is also known as the Motor City. Motown Records and its’ artists were influential in the integration of popular music and added soul and culture that had not been seen before. Significance can be found in the fact Motown Records wasn’t simply trying to achieve commercial success, but trying to tell their story and affect the community. A family loan of $800 is all it took for Berry Gordy to turn his dream into …show more content…

Before it became Hitsville USA, there were some modifications that Berry Gordy had to make. Gordy turned the garage into a recording studio and converted the kitchen into a control room. Gordy also lived on the second floor of the house. The first group signed to Motown records was the Miracles who’s most notable member was Smokey Robinson. The first hit however, that was released by Motown Records was “Come to Me” by Marv Johnson. By the mid 60s, Motown owned several houses in the same neighborhood as Hitsville …show more content…

His blindness has not limited his musical genius. In fact he’s well known for his keyboard and harmonica playing. In my opinion he’s one of the most versatile musicians ever. He has expanded into many different genres including jazz, country, and reggae. If you want to hear a different sound out of every track, then Stevie Wonder is the musician to listen to. Stevie Wonder’s most successful album is “Songs in the Key of Life” which features songs like “Sir Duke” and “Isn’t She Lovely” and song about his newborn daughter. Along with this album, “Hotter Than July” is also one of my favorite albums. Stevie Wonder also has 22 grammys which show his mainstream popularity. Despite that fact that Motown has been bought by Universal, Stevie Wonder has been signed to Motown Records for his entire career which is very rare in the music industry especially when considering how hot of a commodity he was and still

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