Who has been the greatest Motown artist ever?

[Mudbug]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 11:14am

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 http://www.thisdayinmusic.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.

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 11:25am

For me, it is Stevie Wonder. Hands down.

[xxnewgirlxx]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 11:33am

I second Stevie.

Here's one of my fave clips...from Sesame Street:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ul7X5js1vE

[Gothampc]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 11:56am

The Pippin OBC album.

Followed closely by The Supremes.

[blueroses]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 12:19pm

My favorites are Stevie Wonder and The Jackson 5.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 12:27pm

Stevie

But OHHHHHHH do I *LOVE* Marvin's song LET'S GET IT ON

[Marianne2]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 12:30pm

I like the Supremes, Jackson 5, and the Temptations. As for more recently, I also liked 98 Degrees. Yes, they were with Motown early in their career. They actually were the first white group signed on. But then they made the mistake of signing on with Universal, and now they aren't recording anymore.

[Usnavi]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 12:41pm

DIANA ROSS. Next question....

[Yawper]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 5:11pm

Marvin - no one else comes close

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDckI2P_DPA

[kooky]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 7:03pm

STEVIE STEVIE STEVIE STEVIE STEVIE

He is Stevie Wonder - ful

[dramarama2]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 7:38pm

Diana Ross.

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 7:49pm

I was so obsessed with Motown music when I was little. I knew every song by the Chiffons-- they were my favourite by far. All I would sing when I was little were Motown songs and Aladdin songs... though I didn't exactly get the words right. I used to sing, "He's a sweet pockin' guy... pockin' sweet pockin' lies. Don't you beneath him, if you do, sweet pockin' guy" and just sing that part over and over again until the song was over.

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 8:47pm

My personal favorites:

The Supremes and The Jackson Five.

I still listen to them constantly. And they can't be beat.

[Q]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 8:52pm

I couldn't possible pick - to me it's all about the 'Motown Sound'.

But I do have to say that it is literally impossible for me to stay sitting if I hear "Dancing in the Street"!

[Yawper]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 9:25pm

Too bad Martha hasn't retired gracefully (she now makes a fool of herself as a Detroit City Councilmember), but here are a few more greats from her:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhcflDSUMvc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XE2fnYpwrng

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Jq7KVXzSaQ

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 9:44pm

Madonna

[Yawper]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 10:01pm

too bad she was never on the label, though, eh?

even Sista Retha was never on the label

(nor Segar, Eminem, Uncle Tedly, Mitch, or many others from the area)

http://www.soulfuldetroit.com/

(sidetrack - ReeRee goin' to church - http://kr.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8rCGSx5SY8)

(sidetrack #2 - another non-Motown Detroiter - rare Della - http://kr.youtube.com/watch?v=WP82huQnwug)


Updated On: 1/9/09 at 10:01 PM

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 10:36pm

Boy George?

[NCGuy]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 10:44pm

Charlene

[Barnaby151]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 10:56pm

STEVIE WONDER

[Yawper]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 11:03pm

not forgiven for moving the label to LA...it really lost it's edge Updated On: 1/9/09 at 11:03 PM

[KrissySim]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 11:16pm

Without a doubt James Lee Jamerson !

Now, put that in your pipe and smoke !
Who else has had such a profound influence ?

[jenna2]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 11:19pm

Marvin Gaye, absolutely. Especially anything he recorded with Tammi Terrell.

[Yawper]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 11:30pm

Krissy, how many people do you think know who Jamerson was (or Benny or any of the others)??

yeah, they were the heart & soul, mixed with D-H-D, the voices, et. al.
Updated On: 1/9/09 at 11:30 PM

[KrissySim]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 11:33pm

Does that matter Yawper? Who has had more of an influence on other musicians and musical trends in general? Just because he lived in an era when Black musicians went largely unnoticed...