Who was the first white artist signed to Motown?

Reba Jeanette Smith (February 1, 1928 – February 17, 2001), known professionally as Debbie Dean, was an American singer who was the first white solo artist to record for Motown.

Also Who was the first white man signed to Motown? A guy called Johnny Powers claims to have been the first white male to sign for Motown. He was previously at Sun Records and is the only artist in history to have recorded for both of those legendary labels.

Likewise Who is the biggest selling Motown artist? The Supremes

With 12 No. 1 Billboard hit singles, including “Where Did Our Love Go,” “Baby Love,” “You Can’t Hurry Love,” “You Keep Me Hangin’ On,” and “Stop! In the Name of Love,” The Supremes is considered Motown’s greatest commercial success.

Was Motown all black? Arriving at the height of the civil rights movement, Motown was a black-owned, black-centered business that gave white America something they just could not get enough of — joyous, sad, romantic, mad, groovin’, movin’ music. (See an audio slideshow of five of Motown’s best tunes.)

Does Motown records still exist?

Motown expanded into film and television production. It was an independent company until MCA Records bought it in 1988. PolyGram purchased the label from MCA in 1993, followed by MCA successor Universal Music Group, which acquired PolyGram in 1999.

Motown.

Motown Records
Official website www.motownrecords.com

What was Motown’s first hit song? Fifty years ago today (May 16, 1964) the Motown Records label celebrated its first No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 with Mary Wells’ “My Guy,” a song written and produced by Smokey Robinson.

Which Motown girl group was the most successful? The Supremes (Diana Ross & The Supremes) was not only Motown’s most successful girl group, but also one of the most popular groups of the twentieth century, rivaling the Beatles at their height.

Who was the best singer in the Supremes? Ballard had been wealthy, famous, feted and considered a better singer than Diana Ross, her fellow Supreme who eclipsed, then dethroned her.

Who owns the rights to the temptations music?

Some of the most revered hits in American pop music, including classic compositions made famous by such Motown Records stars as the Temptations, Four Tops, Supremes, Miracles, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye, were acquired Tuesday by EMI Music.

What was Motown’s studio called? “Hitsville U.S.A.” is the nickname given to Motown’s first headquarters and recording studio. The house (formerly a photographers’ studio) is located at 2648 West Grand Boulevard in Detroit, Michigan, near the New Center area. The house was purchased by Motown founder Berry Gordy in 1959.

What was Motown’s first hit?

Fifty years ago today (May 16, 1964) the Motown Records label celebrated its first No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 with Mary Wells’ “My Guy,” a song written and produced by Smokey Robinson.

Are the miracles still living? Bobby Rogers died in March 2013, 2 weeks after his 73rd birthday. Pete Moore died November 19, 2017, on his 79th birthday. Former members Carl Cotton, Marv Tarplin and Donald Griffin are also deceased (in 2003, 2011, and 2015 respectively).

Who were the musicians that created the Motown sound?

Among the studio musicians responsible for the “Motown Sound” were keyboardists Earl Van Dyke, Johnny Griffith, and Joe Hunter; guitarists Ray Monette, Joe Messina, Robert White, and Eddie Willis; percussionists Eddie “Bongo” Brown and Jack Ashford; drummers Benny Benjamin, Uriel Jones, and Richard “Pistol” Allen; and …

What’s Motown stand for?

First recorded in 1965–70; from Motown, proprietary name for records released by the Motown Record Corporation of Detroit, Michigan, shortened from Motor Town, in reference to Detroit’s major role as a motor vehicle producer.

Who is the best female soul singer? Final Results! Greatest Female Soul Singers of All Time

1 Whitney Houston
2 Aretha Franklin
3 Gladys Knight
4 Chaka Khan
5 Phyllis Hyman

Who is Effie White based on? As much as Deena Jones, Beyoncé Knowles’ character in “Dreamgirls,” was modeled on Diana Ross, the film’s main character, Effie White, was based on Etta James, according to composer Henry Krieger.

Why did Stevie Wonder leave Motown Records?

On his twenty-first birthday, Stevie Wonder allowed his recording contract with Motown to lapse, giving him the opportunity to chart his own course and creative freedom as an artist.

Who was Effie White based on? As much as Deena Jones, Beyoncé Knowles’ character in “Dreamgirls,” was modeled on Diana Ross, the film’s main character, Effie White, was based on Etta James, according to composer Henry Krieger.

What song made the temptations famous?

In January 1964, Smokey Robinson and Miracles bandmate Bobby Rogers co-wrote and produced “The Way You Do the Things You Do” with Eddie Kendricks on lead and the single became the Temptations’ first Top 20 hit that April.

Why was Florence Ballard removed from The Supremes? Exit from the Supremes and solo career

Struggling to cope with the label’s demands and her own bout with depression, Ballard turned to alcohol for comfort, leading to arguments with her group members. Ballard’s alcoholism led to her missing performances and recording sessions.

Who owns jobete?

EMI music publishing is to acquire the remaining 20% of Berry Gordy’s Jobete song catalog it did not already own for $80 million.

How many original Temptations are left? Only one of the founding members of The Temptations is still alive. Otis Williams, who owns the rights to the group’s name and is still a member of the band, is the only member who remains.

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