Latest news with #BerryGordy
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
What was Detroit like in the 1960s? Take a look back in time.
It was the best of times — and the boiling point. In the 1960s, Detroit roared with the sounds of new muscle cars and the distinctive sounds of Motown. Woodward Avenue was the glittering spine of the city, lined with movie theaters, shops and crowds. At Motown's Hitsville U.S.A., Berry Gordy was changing the sound of America, while downtown department stores like Hudson's remained bustling centers of fashion and community life. But beneath the rhythm of those radio hits and the hum of the assembly line, tensions between police and the city's Black residents were brewing in the neighborhoods, ultimately leading to a deadly five-day uprising. Take a look back at Detroit in the 1960s with our curated photo gallery, featuring images from the Free Press archives and beyond, capturing the city's highs, lows and everyday life during a decade that changed everything. Riot or rebellion? The debate on what to call Detroit '67 More: Marvin Gaye's 'What's Going On' still relevant and revealing, 50 years on More: Detroit's Algiers Motel site, where 3 teens were killed in 1967, to get historical marker More: Willie Horton book excerpt: 1967 riot may have been first time I embraced my community This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: What was Detroit like in the 1960s? Photos take you back in time
Gulf Today
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Robinson is ready to bring his timeless hits to audiences
There's a reason Smokey Robinson is known as the 'King of Motown.' His voice — smooth, drenched in soul — has carried across generations, weaving through love stories, heartbreaks, and dance floors for more than five decades. Whether it was the unmistakable falsetto that made 'The Tracks of My Tears' an anthem or the lyrical touch that gifted 'My Girl' to the Temptations, Robinson's mark on music is unmistakable. When asked if it feels surreal to look back on all he's accomplished, Robinson's response is grounded in humility. 'None of it, or the magnitude of it, was expected,' he shared over the phone, still lively as ever. Robinson hails from Detroit, where he was a kid with big dreams and a notebook full of lyrics long before Motown existed. He formed The Miracles in the mid-1950s and when Berry Gordy took notice, everything changed. Robinson didn't just become a star — he became the architect of a sound that broke racial barriers and shaped American music. The Miracles' hits, from 'Shop Around' to 'You've Really Got a Hold on Me,' became top hits and cultural gems. And even beyond his own recordings, Robinson was the pen behind some of Motown's greatest classics, writing for Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, and Mary Wells. 'When we first started out, I never imagined this level of success,' he continued. 'I met Berry Gordy before Motown even began. On that very first day, neither of us anticipated that Motown would become a global phenomenon. We were just making music because we loved it. Back then, it wasn't even guaranteed that we'd be paid fairly, especially being Black. It's gone far beyond what we ever imagined.' At the time, music was still deeply segregated, and mainstream success for Black artists was far from guaranteed. But Motown wasn't just a record label—it was a movement. 'Berry Gordy said, 'We're not just going to make Black music; we're going to make music for everyone,'' Robinson recalled. 'And I'm proud to say we accomplished that.' Now, at 84, Robinson is still doing what he loves—performing, creating, and proving that timeless music never really fades. As he celebrates 50 years of 'Being With You,' Robinson is reflecting on his journey, his enduring passion, and the music that continues to bring people together. Songs like 'Ooo Baby Baby,' ' Cruisin',' and 'Being With You' became soundtracks to people's lives, and Robinson's ability to write with both heartache and hope ensured his music never lost relevance. For Robinson, the connection with his audience has always been at the heart of his performances, and it's something that has only deepened over the years. 'I do concerts, honey,' he said, his voice filled with joy. 'And it really makes me feel good. I see people at my concerts with their children, their children's children, all sitting on their laps. When I first saw them, they were on their parents' laps.' Despite the decades that have passed, he finds that every night offers a new opportunity to rediscover the joy in his own music. 'Every night, those songs feel new to me,' he continued. 'I'm extremely blessed to have a job I love, and I look forward to it every night. I'm having such a good time.' It's that sense of excitement that he brings to every show, often adjusting his setlist based on the energy of the crowd. 'I mix it up depending on where I'm performing,' he explained. 'If it's a younger crowd, I'll pick songs that resonate with them. Every concert is a unique experience.' Though his music is timeless, Robinson isn't one to look back when creating new work. 'I don't think about the past or any of that when I write,' Robinson said. 'Inspiration just hits me. When I write a song, I aim for it to resonate today and 50 years from now.' His approach to songwriting remains as fresh as ever, with his upcoming album 'What the World Needs Now' being a prime example. Associated Press
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Motown's Tamla Records to return with new artists and ‘positive, life-changing music'
One of the most iconic brands in the Motown universe is getting a revival. Tamla Records — once the pipeline for entrepreneur Berry Gordy's earliest releases out of Detroit — is being reactivated by Capitol Music Group, Motown's corporate parent for the past decade. The new Tamla will be based in Nashville and overseen by Motown Gospel Senior Vice President Walter Thomas, who said Wednesday the label 'has always been a beacon of innovation, quality and artistry.' 'Now, under the Motown Gospel umbrella, we have the opportunity to continue this legacy while pushing the boundaries of what Christian music can be,' Thomas said in a statement. 'Our mission is simple: to uplift the voices of artists who are creating positive, life-changing music.' The West Grand Boulevard-based Tamla Records was launched by Gordy in 1959 as he began to build what ultimately became one of the world's biggest independent music empires. He had named the label in tribute to the 1957 pop hit 'Tammy' by Debbie Reynolds, and Tamla was the main conduit for early releases by artists such as Barrett Strong, the Miracles, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and the Supremes. For fans overseas — where all of the company's records were long issued under "Tamla Motown" — the brand is even more familiar. The Tamla name fell dormant in the 1980s as new releases were consolidated under the broader Motown Records banner. Music at the revived Tamla will span pop, R&B, gospel and other genres, and early signees include Emmanuel Da Prophet, Childlike CiCi and Jordan L'oreal. Rodney Jerkins, best known for his hit production and songwriting with artists such as Beyoncé, Brandy and Mary J. Blige, has been named as the label's producer and partner. 'Berry Gordy built Tamla on the principles of artist development, excellence and music that moves people," Jerkins said in a news release. 'That vision still stands today, and we are proud to continue carrying it forward as we launch this new chapter.' Contact Detroit Free Press music writer Brian McCollum: 313-223-4450 or bmccollum@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Motown's Tamla Records revived for 'positive, life-changing music'
