Artists
How old was Stevie Wonder when he first signed on with Motown's Tamla label?
11 years old
What was Marvin Gaye's first hit single?
Stubborn Kind of Fellow reached the top ten of the R&B chart and the top fifty of the Billboard Hot 100 in late 1962.
Motown played an important role in what?
the racial integration of popular music as an African American-owned record label that achieved significant crossover success
"You'll find a heart that you've always been looking for.....
how could anybody ask for much more..."
"Treat Her Like a Lady" was released on the album, "Truly for You" in 1984.
How did Stevie Wonder become blind?
He was born six weeks early. The stunted growth of blood vessels in the back of his eyes caused his retinas to detach, and the oxygen pumped into his incubator made the condition worse, leaving him permanently blind.
What was the original band name of The Temptations?
The Elgins
Who wrote "My Girl?"
Smokey Robinson and Ronald White
Berry Gordy is related to what US president?
Jimmy Carter
Gordy’s grandfather’s half-brother was Carter’s grandfather.
"We are undercover passion on the run.......
chasing love up against the sun
"Part-Time Lover" was featured on "In Square Circle", which was released in 1985.
What type of piano was known as the "Motown Piano?"
1877 Steinway grand piano
Berry Gordy initially refused to sign what musical group?
The Jackson 5 because he didn’t want to work with any more children. It was Gladys Knight who persuaded him to change his mind a year later.
What English rock band covered many Motown songs?
The Beatles covered many Motown songs including "Please Mr. Postman," "The Marvelettes," "You Really Got a Hold on Me," "The Miracles," "Shout," "The Isley Brothers," and "Money (That's What I Want)."
Which singer was shot dead by his own father in Los Angeles, California after trying to intervene in a fight between his parents?
Marvin Gaye
"Listen, baby, ain't no mountain high...."
"Ain't no valley low, ain't no river wide enough, baby
If you need me, call me, no matter where you are
No matter how far, don't worry, baby
Just call my name, I'll be there in a hurry
You don't have to worry"
"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" - Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell - 1970
Gordy launched the Motown record label with how much money?
$800
According to Diana Ross, her birth name is actually what?
Her mother actually named her “Diane”, but, a clerical error resulted in her name being recorded as “Diana” on her birth certificate.
Which song became the first Motown song to reach number one position on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart in 1961?
"Please Mr. Postman" by The Marvelettes
What Motown group began their careers together while they were high school students in Detroit?
The Four Tops - founded as The Four Aims
"Very superstitious...."
"Writing's on the wall,
Very superstitious,
Ladders bout' to fall,
Thirteen month old baby,
Broke the lookin' glass
Seven years of bad luck,
The good things in your past"
Stevie Wonder, 1972
What military branch did Marvin Gaye join before being honorably discharged to begin his music career?
the Air Force
The music world suffered a great lost when this Motown artist died of throat cancer in July 1992.
Mary Wells, she was known as "the first lady of Motown"
What two singles did the Jackson 5 release before they were signed with Motown?
The Jackson 5 first signed with Steeltown Records in 1967 and released two singles, "Big Boy" and "We Don't Have to Be Over 21 (To Fall in Love)"
Motown records was the first record label to run its own what?
"Charm school" to teach artists how to perform
"I'll be over at ten, you told me time and again
But you're late....."
"I wait around and then (bah dah dah)
I went to the door, I can't take any more
It's not you, you let me down again
baby, baby, try to find
(Hey, hey, hey) a little time and I'll make you mine
(Hey, hey, hey) I'll be home
I'll be beside the phone waiting for you
Ooh ooh ooh, ooh ooh ooh"
Build Me Up Buttercup - The Foundations - 1968
Which musician joined the Army and attempted a professional boxing career before entering the music business?
Berry Gordy Jr.