Motown Records is an American record label that's primarily known for producing some of the most successful, influential, and innovative music of the 20th century.
> Watch modern musicians try to recreate the classic Motown sound. (Watch)
> Explore a list of the best Motown albums of all time. (Read)
Berry Gordy founded the label that would become Motown in 1959 with an $800 loan from his family. Gordy, who had worked at automotive plants in Detroit, adapted the assembly-line process for songwriting and recording, creating an efficient, around-the-clock creative hub. Motown scored its first hit in 1961 and then dominated the airwaves for the next decade, releasing 110 Billboard Hot 100 top 10 singles between 1961 and 1971.
> Gordy's sister Anna helped establish the label and wrote some of its biggest songs. (Read)
> Before they found fame as solo artists, Rick James and Neil Young played together in a band that was signed to the label. (Watch)
> Watch several Motown stars perform at the Apollo Theater in 1962. (Watch)
Motown established the careers of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, and many more. Gordy moved Motown to Hollywood in 1972 to expand into the film industry and sold the label in 1988. The Motown imprint still exists today, maintaining its legendary back catalog while releasing music by contemporary artists.
> The label's spoken-word imprint released significant speeches of the Civil Rights era. (Read)
> Watch Diana Ross star in "Lady Sings the Blues," a biopic about Billie Holiday produced by Motown. (Watch)
Discover more:
> Watch a documentary about the label's house band, who played on more chart-topping hits than the Beatles, Rolling Stones, and Elvis Presley combined. (Watch)
> Some Motown singles that flopped in the US became unexpected hits in England. (Read)
> In the 1970s, Motown briefly released several country records. (Read)
