![]() |
Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, Smokey Robinson or someone else? Celebrating 50 years of Motown records This Day in Music have launched a poll to find out what you think. You can vote on This Day in Music.com Some Facts: As a songwriter, Berry Gordy had his first hit in 1957 with Reet Petite, sung by Jackie Wilson. Gordy quit his car factory job in the same year and went on to launch the independent Tamla Record Company on 12 January 1959, using a family loan of $800. The original name for the Tamla label was "Tammy," after the Debbie Reynolds song, but it was taken Motown, a blend of the words "motor" and "town", is also a nickname for Detroit - the label's original base and the historic home of the US car industry. Its original "Hitsville USA" headquarters in the city - which opened in January 1960 - housed the label's recording studio and offices. Marv Johnson's song Come To Me was the label's first release, issued as Tamla 101. The Marvelettes' Please Mister Postman was Motown's first US number one. Released in August 1961, it took 14 weeks to reach the top of the chart. (Also covered by the Beatles and was taken back to the US top spot by The Carpenters in 1974). "Little Stevie Wonder" signed to Motown in 1961 and has been with the label ever since. He came into his own in the 1970s recording classic albums such as Talking Book and Songs in the Key of Life. His 1984 song I Just Called To Say I Love You is Motown's biggest-selling single. The Beatles recorded three Motown songs on their 2nd album, Please Mister Postman, You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me and Money, (That’s What I want). Martha And The Vandellas version of Dancing In The Street was recorded live in two takes. The first take was missed after the studio engineer forgot to turn the tape on. The song was original offered to Marvin Gaye who also has a writing credit on the song. Marvin Gaye sang background on records by Chuck Berry and Etta James, was a member of The Moonglows and worked as a session drummer (he played on The Marvelettes' 1961 hit, "Please Mr. Postman" and Little Stevie Wonder's live version of 1963 hit, "Fingertips Pt. 2"). The Funk Brothers were the musicians who provided the backing on most Motown records between 1959 and 1972. It’s claimed they have played on more number one hits than Elvis, The Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones and The Beatles combined. “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” written by Motown writers Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong with backing played by the Funk Brothers - was a number one for Marvin Gaye in the US and the UK in 1968 and became Motown's biggest-selling record. |
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
difficult choice that been some great artists on motown, some even better on "Stax" etc will have to give serious thought to this, think the choice on site is a bit limited.:) the "Four Tops" springs to mind should not be omitted from it.
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Couldn't put my finger on one artist. For me Motown is more about great records than great artistes, as the best songs were recorded several times by the top artists of the day. Grapevine, etc.
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
I think that Marvin Gaye took some beating, but I also like Stevie Wonder, he's still a class act today, and on the group side for me definitely the Four Tops
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Jimmy Ruffin was my favourite Motown artist, "Farewell Is A Lonely Sound" that IS a classic record in my humble opinion, closely followed by Marvin Gaye's "I Heard It Through The Grapevine".
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Impossible to say who the best Motown artist was, but think its fair to say the label would never have grown as big as it did without the songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland providing many of the songs ;) :D
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Hard to pick just one there were/are so many greats:)
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Got to admit, my choices would certainly be very much in a minority...The Contours (who recorded the original version of "Do You Love Me?". later covered by the Dave Clark 5 and Brian Poole & The Tremeloes, over here)...Mable John (only artist, I think, to record for both Motown and Stax)...and Junior Walker & The All-Stars, who managed to combine the 50's sax-honking sound with the 60's Holland-Dozier-Holland sound...the bluesy, rootsy side of Motown. :cool:
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Quote:
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
I go with Wynonie on this with the addition of Edwin Starr,and the Isley Brothers, good versions of How Sweet it is, Put yourself in my Place, and the Originals. But Smokey & the Temps, and Supremes, got all the limelight.
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Quote:
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Gotta be the Supremes ....
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
R.Dean.Taylor the first "White" artist to record on motown gotta be worth a mention, "Lets Go Somewhere" is a great recording n that was a "B" side.:)
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Quote:
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Quote:
Have A listen: YouTube - K.D. Lang sings Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah |
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Quote:
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Quote:
There've been a few white artists on Motown. Chris Clark for instance...a very talented lady. |
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
I never went to Wigan Casino, and Indiana Wants me, and Gotta See Jane are the only ones I remember. Don't remember the others. What year were they out?
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Quote:
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Ah, that's why. Just googled those 2 and listened to them, ghost in my house rings bells, but not the other one.
Cheers Wynonie |
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Quote:
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Cashy weren't allowed in the casino with his leathers on ;) it was a 500cc no go zone :D... pretty obvious video
YouTube - Ghost in my house - R Dean Taylor |
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
...and this was the flipside...an early protest song.
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
I know it's a Mowtown thread soz.. but remember the tune "Footsie" ? think it was 70's... who the hell were these people? don't recall this tune at the all nighters!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnySF...eature=related |
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Ha ha ,yeah, that brings back the memories. There was a guy in the States called Simon Soussan who used to discover obscure 60's soul records and send them across for the Northern jocks to play. He found this instrumental backing track called "Footsee" by a pop group called the Chosen Few, sped it up, added some crowd noises and supplied a copy to Casino DJ Russ Winstanley. After a few plays it became a huge dancefloor filler. Enter the UK-based Pye record company who discovered that they had the British licensing rights to the same track. They then did the same thing - sped it up, added crowd noises (courtesy of Sheffield Wednesday fans I believe) and released it over here under the moniker Wigan's Chosen Few. It actually made the top twenty in 1974 and was featured on Top of the Pops, accompanied by some singlet and baggies-clad Casino-goers frantically spinning and backdropping. A million miles away from real soul music but good fun, nevertheless! :cool:
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Correct me If I'm wrong and I rarely am - Neigh never, but was Marvin Gayes Wherever I lay my hat not voted the best B side of the 60's:theband:
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
it actually peaked at number 9 in jan 75, same year "Wigans Ovation" had 3 chart hits, of which i have one.;)
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Quote:
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
nice to see you play it Cashy.. mods rule :d
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Quote:
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Quote:
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Marvin Gaye was always my fav.......:D
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Quote:
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Quote:
Or I could be wrong. NO:D |
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Probably said I dont like your dress dad.
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Quote:
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Quote:
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Quote:
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Quote:
YouTube - Wigans Ovation - Skiing In The Snow [UK 1975] |
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
no i didn't yerself, nor did i say i liked it.;)
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Quote:
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
I could never choose!!! I've got this CD:
Play.com (UK) : Various - Motown 50th Anniversary (3CD) : CD - Free Delivery It is the most fantastic CD!! Highly recommended. |
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Quote:
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
got to be the best "girl band" ever.. and the best Mowtown ever..could have picked a few
YouTube - The Supremes-Stop! In The Name Of Love |
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Quote:
YouTube - Jimmy Ruffin - What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted |
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
here could be classed as "northern soul".. but really it's gooners ****ting themselves when the Mancs get down the Archway road down to Highbury
YouTube - Come On Eileen - Dexy's Midnight Runners (HQ Audio) |
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
hey stop crying.. Dylan
YouTube - bob dylan street legal stop crying |
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
And you call me cold Steely
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
i have to say Diana Ross and The Supremes they songs was really gd :):):)
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Watch out for Motown night on BBC 4 tonight.
8PM - Motown at the BBC - studio performances from the Temps, the Supremes the Miracles etc. 9PM - a documentary on the Motown Review UK tour and Sounds of Motown Ready Steady Go! TV Special from 1965. 10pm - Standing in the Shadows of Motown - the story of Motown's in-house band, the Funk Brothers. Sounds like a good night's viewing. |
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Quote:
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Yep, a good evening's viewing, Shakey. Loved the film of the Motown Review's '65 tour of the UK, complete with appearances on Ready Steady Go.
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
[quote=Mancie;681259]hey stop crying.. Dylan
/quote] apologies for posting vids in the wrong thread!! |
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
BBC 4 has been great viewing
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
I miss all the good progs Wyn, But went to one of the reviews at the Gaumont in Manchester 66 I think it was. Got the CD of the Funk Bros,
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Quote:
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
The Late,Great, Levi Stubbs,lead singer with the Four Tops
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Cant argue with that . Duckworth
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
best girl band ever?
YouTube - the supremes where did our love go |
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Quote:
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Quote:
Just my opinion though ;) ;) |
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
I"ll back that Steely, But lets not forget the Andantes who may have appeared on over ( quote) 20,000 recording sesions. They were made up of Louvain Demps, Jackie Hicks, and Marlene Barrow, they were created by Raynoma Liles, Berry Gordys second wife. eg .Listen to Jimmy Ruffins BABY IVE GOT IT, to hear the fantastic backing they gave him.
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
The Andantes...good choice, Al.
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
How about this, Al?...a classic!
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
I can see this motown thread becoming very long indeed :D
|
Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
Smokey Robinson in on BBC 2 at the minute .. he did the electric proms the other night ...
|
All times are GMT. The time now is 12:35. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.6.1
© 2003-2013 AccringtonWeb.com