WMNR Fine Arts Radio

American Jukebox 242 - The Motown Story.

In 1959 Berry Gordy, Jr., a young man who was training to be a professional boxer, borrowed $800 and started a record company. That company, Motown Records, produced records that would become the sound of a generation, most notably the sound of the Baby Boom generation.
The first hit record for the fledgling company was co-written by Gordy and sung by Barrett Strong. "Money" was a prophetic title for the song as Motown became the biggest African-American-owned business, grossing the most money for decades. The company's output of material starting in 1960 was staggering. The Miracles, Mary Wells, and The Marvelettes led the way in the early years of Motown. Constantly adding recording acts to the roster, Motown soon had Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Martha & the Vandellas. Then, in 1964 lightning struck. The Supremes, who had been working on a hit record for years, finally lit up the pop charts with their #1 Where Did Our Love Go? The era of the super groups emerged with The Temptations and The Four Tops joining the Supremes as consistent hit makers throughout the decade.
By the time the '60s were over a new act came to Motown, The Jackson Five. The old sound was gone and the '70s brought many changes to the sound and the company. In 1972 Motown left its roots in Detroit and moved to Los Angeles where it continued to thrive but with a different sound.
This edition of American Jukebox is dedicated to the "Sound of Young America," the tagline of Motown, and the record company that dared to break down barriers and had white kids and black kids dancing together.