Motown Mystique in 2011

On January 12, 1959 Berry Gordy founded Motown Records in Hitsville, USA (Otherwise known as Detroit). Motown focused on creating a label for black pop singers to thrive under; and they succeeded. Signing such acts as Smokey Robinson, Martha and the Vandellas, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, and even The Jackson 5, it soon became clear that Motown was a big player in the game of pop during the 1960's. It seemed that every Motown song became a hit. American listeners trusted the label, and Gordy continued to deliver.

In the twenty first century, there is no label that monopolizes radio stations quite like Motown did in the sixties. However, Americans today have the same connection to music they are familiar with. Instead of falling in love with a label, listeners have evolved into falling in love with the artist.

When you search a familiar artist on Itunes, a list of their songs appears at your fingertips. This was not the case in the sixties. Listeners primarily listened to whatever radio hosts decided to play. Only if they bought an album would they associate directly with the artist. Americans trusted the style of music, not necessarily the artists themselves. And Motown had style. A Motown artist was guaranteed fame, unlike today where artists must stake out a name for themselves.

Popular acts of Motown vs Artists of 2011

In today's music industry, it is much harder to get into the position of Motown artists. Singers must compose hit after hit before America trusts that every single they put out will be appealing. Record labels do little in the modern era. Artists now must make a name for themselves. Only then will then find immediate success with their latest releases.

Motown did something extraordinary in the 1960's. Not only did they develop a label under which artists would undoubtedly find success, but also revolutionized the music industry for a generation.

http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1870975,00.html

Images
http://childofthesixtiesforeverandever.blogspot.com/2009/08/sixties-entertainment.html
http://www.rokpool.com/category/tags/martha-and-vandellas
http://www.the-temptations.com/
http://www.soulsummer.com/marvin-gaye/
http://biographydvd.com/taylor-swift-biography/
http://rihannaimages.blogspot.com/
http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2010/09/28/lil_wayne_speaks_from_prison
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