A Few Motown Secrets to Share

The Motown genre was an incredible period in American history, giving middle to poor men and women a hopeful shot at fame and fortune. Founded by Berry Gordy, the music eventually sold nearly a half a billion records. There are a few secrets that remain within Motown that we’d like to share…

It was the talents of a close-knit group of studio musicians known as the ‘Funk Brothers’ that can be heard on all the Motown hits. The Funk Brothers were a diverse band of musicians, who rarely received the credit or wealth they helped create.

The majority of Motown hits were written by Brian and Eddie Holland, and partner Lamont Dozier. Their first big hit was the Martha Reeves and Vandellas hit “Heatwave” their last official hit was “You’re Gonna Need Me” for Dionne Warwick in 1973.

Berry Gordy himself wrote many of the early Motown hits; the Miracles “Shop Around,” “I Want You Back,” and “The Love You Save” for the Jackson Five, the Contours “Do You Love Me,” and Barrett Strong’s “Money (That’s What I Want).”

Smokey (Bill) Robinson also wrote many million dollars sellers, including “The Way You Do the Things You Do” and “My Girl” for the Temptations, and Marvin Gaye’s “Ain’t That Peculiar.”

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