Music legend Berry Gordy, Jr. founded what would become Motown Records on this day, Jan. 12, in 1959.
Originally named Tamla Records, Gordy– a former boxer and songwriter– incorporated his record label as Motown Record Corporation in 1960, creating a powerhouse company that would produce 110 top 1en hits. Motown was so prolific that a new subgenre was named after its brand of soul: “The Motown Sound.”
On the birthday of the iconic music label– founded in Detroit, Michigan– we remember the Black music legends that came out of Motown and became national and global superstars.
01
01
Diana Ross and The Supremes
02
02
Stevie Wonder
03
03
Rick James
04
04
Marvin Gaye
05
05
The Isley Brothers
06
06
Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5
07
07
Boys II Men
08
08
Gladys Knight and The Pips
09
09
The Temptations
10
10
Smokey Robinson (pictured here with The Supremes) who also served as VP at Motown
11
11
Lionel Richie
12
12
Tammi Terrell
13
13
The Spinners
14
14
Jimmy Ruffin
15
15
The Four Tops
16
16
Kim Weston, who performed “It Takes Two” with Marvin Gaye
17
17
Valerie Simpson (of Ashford and Simpson) who wrote hits like “The Real Thing” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”
