Motown Records

Overview

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.

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.

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.

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