The 1960s - Motown Records

Motown Records represents some of the most legendary artists in the music industry, including Michael Jackson, the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Marvin Gaye, and many more. The company was founded on January 12, 1959, by an African-American named Berry Gordy. With an $800 loan from his family, along with talent and determination, Gordy created a record label that made a significant impact on American society. Motown Records was a black-owned, black-centered business that began in the height of the Civil Rights Movement. This label represents the most famous black musicians that are still admired by Americans today. White Americans of the 1960s couldn't get enough of the "joyous, sad, romantic, mad, groovin', movin' music" that Motown records produced.

Berry Gordy was born on November 28, 1929, in Detroit, Michigan. He was the seventh out of eight children, but unlike his siblings, Gordy struggled in school. He always had an interest in music, but when he was kicked out of school, he decided to pursue a boxing career instead. After many years of being a boxer, Berry Gordy had planned to return to music but his plans fell apart when he was drafted into the army in 1951. Fortunately, he was able to pursue his dream after two years in the army. Gordy opened a record company with a friend, but this attempt was a failure and they eventually went out of business.

Six years later, Berry Gordy decided to start a record company once again. This time he did it all on his own. Although he couldn't read music or play an instrument, Gordy was an excellent songwriter. His first song - "Money (That's What I want)" - was co-written and performed by Barrett Strong. This quickly became a hit, but it wasn't Gordy's only song to reach the top of the charts. Motown Records produced several iconic songs, including "Baby Love" by the Supremes, "What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye, and "Superstition" by Stevie Wonder. The wide variety of songs contained elements of R&B, jazz, and pop tunes.

Motown Records had a significant impact on 1960s society and continues to be remembered today. In September 2016, Barack Obama claimed that "his unique sounds helped shape our nation's history."

https://www.motownmuseum.org/story/motown/
http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1870975,00.html
https://www.biography.com/people/berry-gordy-jr-9316017