Chapter 2

Chapter 2Section 2.4Popular Music CulturesPopular Music CulturesPopular music can be so unique that it makes its own musical culture.One example is the music of Motown.

MotownMotown is a nickname for Detroit, Michigan.

History of MotownMotown was there at the turn of the twentieth century that Henry Ford founded the automotive industry.Motown is the name of one of most successful and influential music recording and publishing companies in the world.Located in Detroit, it was at one time the largest business in the U.S. owned by an African American.History of MotownThe story of Motown is really the story of songwriter and music producer Berry Gordy Jr. Gordy borrowed $800 from his family in the late 1950s to start a record company.Gordy rented a house at 2648 West Grand Boulevard in Detroit.This place came to be known as Hitsville, USA.History of MotownIn 1960, Gordy produced his first hit, Money, and the search for new artists began. They auditioned a local female group called the Primettes.They had not yet finished school so Gordy told them to come back after graduation.They did and signed in January 1961.Later they released their first song, as the Supremes.Bell Ringer 9/17/12Who started Motown?Primettes A.K.A The Supremes

History of MotownGordy built Motown into a powerful creative and economic force.Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, the Temptations, and Marvin Gaye were among the early Motown stars.

History of MotownIn 1970, Motown moved to Los Angeles.In 1988, Gordy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.The same year, he sold Motown to MCA Records and Boston Ventures for $61 Million.

History of MotownMotown established a sound and style of dress and performance that remains easily identifiable. It also helped propel African American artists into the popular music mainstream.Berry Gordy, Jr.Born in 1929 in DetroitAfter serving in Korea, went back to Detroit to work at the Ford-Lincoln Mercury Plant1957 He quit his job to pursue a long-standing dream of becoming a professional songwriterA local nightclub owner heard some of his music and hired him to write for some artists.This includes Jackie Wilson and Billy Davis.He is not merely the founder of a record empire, he transformed the world of popular music forever.

Welcome to Hitsville, USANearly 75 percent of the singles released on Motown Records became hits.Gordy was famous for asking, Lets say youve got a dollar and youre hungry. Would you buy a sandwich or would you buy a record?If the people of their meetings would have went for a sandwich, then the records would have not been released.RecordingNow listen to Dancing in the StreetsMade popular by Martha (Reaves) and the Vandellas in 1965

Why would this song be preferred over a sandwich?Can you name the cities mentioned? - Hint: 8 are named, 4 on the East CoastOriginal Tunes and CoversYou may have heard the term cover.This refers to one musician playing or recording a song made famous by another artist. Covering the work of another artist is often a tribute to the artist.It always reveals a great level of respect and admiration for the song itself.RecordingsListen to malachi is awesome I heard it through the grapevineWhich one out of the two is the cover and which is the original?

Listen to Do you Love me?Try to hear the bass notes