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Spiritinthesky 09-01-2009 15:16

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.

cashman 09-01-2009 15:41

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.

shakermaker 09-01-2009 16:15

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.

jaysay 09-01-2009 16:35

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

Ernie 09-01-2009 16:48

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".

steeljack 09-01-2009 19:58

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

BERNADETTE 09-01-2009 20:05

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
Hard to pick just one there were/are so many greats:)

Wynonie Harris 10-01-2009 10:57

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:

jaysay 10-01-2009 14:05

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Ernie (Post 667578)
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".

Saw Jimmy Ruffin at the Cav in the 70's had a chat with him back stage, a real laid back bloke, think my favourite song of his was What Becomes of the Broken Hearted

Alan Gilmartin 14-01-2009 06:12

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.

Wynonie Harris 14-01-2009 19:35

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Gilmartin (Post 668997)
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.

Some good choices there, Al, especially Edwin Starr, who was probably more popular in the UK than he was in his home country. Once saw him at an all-nighter in Stoke-on-Trent. He was performing with backing tapes, but the machine broke down. He then sang acapella for an hour and kept the audience totally enthralled. How many of today's artistes could do that?

Eric 06-02-2009 17:06

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
Gotta be the Supremes ....

cashman 06-02-2009 17:39

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.:)

Eric 06-02-2009 20:24

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Wynonie Harris (Post 669186)
Some good choices there, Al, especially Edwin Starr, who was probably more popular in the UK than he was in his home country. Once saw him at an all-nighter in Stoke-on-Trent. He was performing with backing tapes, but the machine broke down. He then sang acapella for an hour and kept the audience totally enthralled. How many of today's artistes could do that?

I don't know how many of today's artists could do it .... it seems as if anyone with a gimmick and thousands of dollars of sound equipment can become a "star". :mad: When I think of a powerful voice, one that was beautiful unadorned, the late Mahalia Jackson comes to mind ... maybe in "gospel" one could find some ... and then, there are always singers like k. d. lang.

yerself 06-02-2009 22:27

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric
there are always singers like k. d. lang.

Whose version of Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah' knocks spots off the recent no.1 by the 'X-Factor' winner.
Have A listen:
YouTube - K.D. Lang sings Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah

yerself 06-02-2009 22:38

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by cashman
R.Dean.Taylor the first "White" artist to record on motown gotta be worth a mention

Did he ever get to see Jane?

Wynonie Harris 06-02-2009 22:38

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by cashman (Post 676601)
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.:)

Strange thing about R.Dean Taylor..if you asked the yanks about his most famous records, they'd say "Gotta See Jane" and "Indiana Wants Me", but for us Brits it's "There's A Ghost In My House" and "Let's Go Somewhere", both huge at Wigan Casino.

There've been a few white artists on Motown. Chris Clark for instance...a very talented lady.


Caz 06-02-2009 22:44

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?

Wynonie Harris 06-02-2009 22:55

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Caz (Post 676750)
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?

Maybe I'm looking at it from the perspective of an old Northern Souler, then. They were made in the 60's, but hit the UK top twenty in 1974 or thereabouts.

Caz 06-02-2009 23:05

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

cashman 06-02-2009 23:08

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Caz (Post 676750)
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?

Ghost in my house got to No3 may 74 caz, lets go somewhere was the "Flip Side":);)

Mancie 07-02-2009 21:03

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

Wynonie Harris 07-02-2009 21:15

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
...and this was the flipside...an early protest song.


Mancie 07-02-2009 21:16

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

Wynonie Harris 07-02-2009 21:52

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:

Benipete 08-02-2009 00:46

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:

cashman 08-02-2009 00:47

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.;)

cashman 08-02-2009 00:49

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Mancie (Post 677049)
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

cashy was, but only once.:D;)

Mancie 08-02-2009 00:52

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
nice to see you play it Cashy.. mods rule :d

cashman 08-02-2009 00:55

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Mancie (Post 677117)
nice to see you play it Cashy.. mods rule :d

nah mate music rules.;)

Benipete 08-02-2009 22:21

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by cashman (Post 677114)
it actually peaked at number 9 in jan 75, same year "Wigans Ovation" had 3 chart hits, of which i have one.;)

First recorded in 1963 on an album then it was b side can't remember the A http://i4.ytimg.com/vi/SEoTO6C_MLM/default.jpgAdded

LYNX1 09-02-2009 07:19

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
Marvin Gaye was always my fav.......:D

cashman 09-02-2009 14:57

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by LYNX1 (Post 677551)
Marvin Gaye was always my fav.......:D

his dad wasn't very fond of him.:D

Benipete 09-02-2009 20:00

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by cashman (Post 677673)
his dad wasn't very fond of him.:D

First case of A Shot In The Dark - A Day To Remember.:theband:
Or I could be wrong. NO:D

Alan Gilmartin 10-02-2009 06:43

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
Probably said I dont like your dress dad.

steeljack 10-02-2009 06:50

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Gilmartin (Post 677900)
Probably said I dont like your dress dad.

thats cold ...;)

jaysay 10-02-2009 09:56

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by cashman (Post 677114)
it actually peaked at number 9 in jan 75, same year "Wigans Ovation" had 3 chart hits, of which i have one.;)

Was Fun Skiing in the Snow one of their hits cashy?

cashman 10-02-2009 10:42

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by jaysay (Post 677943)
Was Fun Skiing in the Snow one of their hits cashy?

yep got "Skiiing in the snow.:)

yerself 10-02-2009 14:41

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by cashman
yep got "Skiiing in the snow.

I hope you didn't pay for it. Never heard such dross. You didn't go to Wigan Casino did you, wearing your baggy pants? Just for cashman:
YouTube - Wigans Ovation - Skiing In The Snow [UK 1975]

cashman 10-02-2009 14:59

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
no i didn't yerself, nor did i say i liked it.;)

jaysay 10-02-2009 16:35

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by cashman (Post 678033)
no i didn't yerself, nor did i say i liked it.;)

Long time since I heard that cashy, had forgot just what dross it really was :D

Lolly 10-02-2009 17:41

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.

jaysay 11-02-2009 10:12

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Lolly (Post 678112)
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.

Looking at that myself Lolly, might just raid the piggy bank and shell out for that:D

Mancie 17-02-2009 05:07

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

steeljack 17-02-2009 05:15

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Mancie (Post 681238)
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

yep , will agree the short necked, hunch back is maybe the biggest Motown money earner , but will disagree as to her being the best motown Artist , think about it , I have to agree with those who think Jimmy Ruffin
YouTube - Jimmy Ruffin - What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted

Mancie 17-02-2009 05:23

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)

Mancie 17-02-2009 07:21

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
hey stop crying.. Dylan
YouTube - bob dylan street legal stop crying

Alan Gilmartin 18-02-2009 07:39

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
And you call me cold Steely

jem 19-02-2009 14:10

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
i have to say Diana Ross and The Supremes they songs was really gd :):):)

Wynonie Harris 20-02-2009 12:42

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.

shakermaker 21-02-2009 11:07

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Wynonie Harris (Post 682998)
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.

Watched everything on the BBC Four Motown night last night. It was all good stuff. My favourite was the programme on the Funk Brothers. Those guys can still do it!

Wynonie Harris 21-02-2009 22:40

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.

Mancie 22-02-2009 01:31

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!!

Mancie 22-02-2009 01:33

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
BBC 4 has been great viewing

Alan Gilmartin 22-02-2009 04:46

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,

Wynonie Harris 22-02-2009 10:34

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Gilmartin (Post 683763)
I miss all the good progs Wyn, But went to one of the reviews at the Gaumont in Manchester 66

Well, you're one up on me, Al...TV programmes are all very well, but there's nowt like the real thing! :cool:

duckworth 22-02-2009 14:38

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
The Late,Great, Levi Stubbs,lead singer with the Four Tops

Alan Gilmartin 23-02-2009 04:56

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
Cant argue with that . Duckworth

Mancie 11-10-2009 03:34

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
best girl band ever?
YouTube - the supremes where did our love go

jaysay 11-10-2009 17:36

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Mancie (Post 752402)

Can't say I liked her much Mancie, Aretha Franklan was more my cup of tea

steeljack 12-10-2009 01:07

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Mancie (Post 752402)

Your opening a can of worms here , sorry but have to disagree , though they had a big catalog of work and the most record sales , I agree they were good ,But the Ronettes still get my vote as best "girl' group, smaller catalog , can't argue with that , great Phil Spector productions ...yup, could other trios of unknowns make the same sound , think not. Supremes in my mind are not much different than todays manufactured "groups/bands" , Without Hollander-Dozier-Hollander writing the songs and the Motown session musicians don't think the Supremes would have been as big as they were.
Just my opinion though ;) ;)

Alan Gilmartin 14-10-2009 08:59

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.

Wynonie Harris 15-10-2009 21:38

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
The Andantes...good choice, Al.


Wynonie Harris 25-10-2009 21:28

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
How about this, Al?...a classic!


shakermaker 25-10-2009 21:34

Re: Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?
 
I can see this motown thread becoming very long indeed :D


shillelagh 25-10-2009 22:21

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 ...


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