Motown Artist by Kennedi Stallings [STUDENT]

Bobby Taylor And The Vancouvers

kennedi1652470 — 2025-02-11 19:39:11 UTC

This was signed to Motown in 1965. Bobby Taylor & The Vancouver's were all from Canada, but moved to San Francisco, Their first song, "Does your Momma know about me?" was released in 1968, and brought up the topic of interracial dating.

Stevie Wonder

kennedi1652470 — 2025-02-12 17:55:42 UTC

Stevie Wonders real name is Steveland Judkins. Steveland Judkins Morris was only 11 years old when Motown signed him to a contract in 1961. A musical genius. Stevie could do all of it. he sang, he played multiple instruments and he wrote music that was often ahead of its time. From precocious pre-teen to prodigious producer, Stevie’s first #1 hit, “Fingertips Part 2,” burst on the scene in 1963 after being recorded live during the Motortown Revue.

The Supremes

kennedi1652470 — 2025-02-12 18:04:44 UTC

The quintessential girl group, The Supremes emerged as Motown’s leading female artists. Starting out as The Primettes, the group consisted of original members Florence Ballard, Diana Ross, Mary Wilson and Betty McGlown, who was later replaced by Barbara Martin. Signed to Motown in 1961, The Supremes would reach worldwide success as a trio, scoring several Top Ten singles.

Tammi Terrell

kennedi1652470 — 2025-02-12 18:10:50 UTC

Tammi Terrell knew early in her life she wanted to make music. She began singing in churches and school talent shows. As a young teenager, in 1960, she launched her professional singing career after signing to Scepter Records. Tammi quickly went to work, releasing her first single “If You See Bill” in that same year.

Marvin Gaye

kennedi1652470 — 2025-02-12 18:18:47 UTC

Perhaps one of Motown’s most versatile performers, Marvin Gaye joined Motown as a drummer, after a stint with Harvey and the Moonglows in the 1950s. He did it all: balladeer, musician, one-half of the most famous vocal duo in R&B history with Tammi Terrell, and, finally, an artist who used his music to address the serious issues of his day. His first Motown hit, “Stubborn Kind of Fellow,” was released in 1961.

Chris Clark

kennedi1652470 — 2025-02-13 19:11:21 UTC

Born and raised in Santa Cruz, California, Chris Clark spent much of her early life trying to find the right genre. Experimenting with rock, folk, and what she called ‘hippie’ music; she eventually found her voice in soul music. After auditioning for Motown’s Hal Davis in California, Chris was sent to Detroit to audition for Berry Gordy.

Rare Earth

kennedi1652470 — 2025-02-13 19:15:29 UTC

Rare Earth is a multi-platinum selling band that is credited for being Motown’s first highly successful rock act and ushering in a brand new sound for the company. The group achieved success a year later with a cover of The Temptations’ hit “Get Ready.” Their version peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 chart at #4 and went on to receive a Gold certification.

Brenda Holloway

kennedi1652470 — 2025-02-14 18:08:18 UTC

California native Brenda Holloway has always had a passion for music. From singing in her church’s choir to studying the violin, music has always been the center of her life. When Brenda Holloway began her professional career, she joined California-based label Donna (a sister label to Del-Fi) and released a slew of singles, including her first major hit “Every Little Bit Hurts”.

The Andantes

kennedi1652470 — 2025-02-14 18:19:30 UTC

The Andantes consisting of soprano Louvain Demps, first alto Jackie Hicks, and second alto Marlene Barrow, were Motown’s in-house female vocal group. The invaluable studio trio added their sweet, gospel-imbued harmonies to countless hits by nearly everyone populating Motown’s roster including The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Marvelettes, The Supremes and many others.

The Four Tops

kennedi1652470 — 2025-02-14 18:23:33 UTC

The Four Tops started their musical career as the Four Aims at a house party in Detroit in 1954. Members included Levi Stubbs, Abdul “Duke” Renaldo “Obie” Benson and Lawrence Payton. They changed the group’s name to The Four Tops to avoid confusion with a popular group of the day, the Ames Brothers.

Jimmy Ruffin

kennedi1652470 — 2025-02-14 18:27:25 UTC

Jimmy Ruffin proves that hard work pays off. After Motown executive Raynoma Gordy Singleton spotted him at the Ebony Club in Muskegon, Michigan, she encouraged him to audition for Motown. During the audition process, he gained the support of Mary Wells and Marv Johnson, two of the label’s biggest stars.

Matha Reeves and the Vandellas

kennedi1652470 — 2025-02-14 18:31:19 UTC

The soulful trio Martha Reeves and the Vandellas earned their place at Motown through talent, good timing, and persistence. After Motown’s Artists & Repertoire Director William “Mickey” Stevenson heard Martha Reeves perform solo at the Twenty Grand, he handed her his card and told her she should audition.

Edwin Star

kennedi1652470 — 2025-02-14 18:36:59 UTC

The singer born as Charles Edwin Hatcher quickly earned his stage name ‘Starr.’ Known for his James Brown-esque style, Edwin Starr found himself at Motown after his original label, Ric-Tic, was absorbed by Motown in 1968. His biggest influence came with the Vietnam War. In 1970, the songwriting duo of Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong wrote the song “War” and first offered it to the Temptations. It was used on their album Psychedelic Shack (1970).

Jackson 5

kennedi1652470 — 2025-02-14 18:39:56 UTC

In 1968, Bobby Taylor (of Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers) discovered a group of five talented young brothers from Gary, Indiana and brought them to Motown’s attention. Their audition impressed president Berry Gordy, who signed The Jackson 5 almost immediately. The Jackson 5 soon exploded onto the pop and R&B charts in 1969 with “I Want You Back.” Like many of the group’s earliest hits, the song was co-written by “The Corporation,”.

The Isley Brothers

kennedi1652470 — 2025-02-14 18:41:24 UTC

ince the early 1950s, the Isley Brothers have been hard at work, making music in genres ranging from doo-wop to rock. Brothers O’Kelly Jr, Ronald, Vernon, and Rudolph Isley started their music career in Cincinnati, Ohio, performing gospel in churches across the city. Following the death of their younger brother Vernon in 1955, the group took a hiatus until late 1958 when the group reformed in New York City.