Who is the owner of Motown?

Berry Gordy Jr.

Similarly, it is asked, who currently owns Motown Records?

Berry Gordy Jr., the former Detroit auto worker who built Motown Records into what was once the nation's largest black-owned business, has sold the company for $61 million to MCA Inc. and Boston Ventures Limited Partnership, the companies announced Tuesday.

Secondly, who is Berry Gordy's wife? Grace Eaton m. 1990–1993 Ray Singleton m. 1960–1964 Thelma Coleman m. 1953–1959

Additionally, is Motown still in business?

Motown, as we've come to know it, does not exist anymore. It appears to not be a label, but more of a "label group," now paired with Universal. We know that Berry Gordy sold Motown way back when, but at least then Motown was still a functioning entity. Now, it's Motown in name only.

Is Berry Gordy still alive?

Berry Gordy announces retirement; Motown founder bows out after 6 decades in showbiz. At 89, Gordy has remained active in the creative and business worlds, but announced to a Detroit crowd Sunday that he is at last stepping away.

38 Related Question Answers Found

What was Motown's biggest hit?

Readers' Poll: The 10 Greatest Motown Songs

Smokey Robinson and the Miracles – 'Tracks of My Tears'
The Temptations – 'Ain't Too Proud to Beg'
Smokey Robinson and the Miracles – 'Tears of a Clown'
Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell – 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough'
Martha and the Vandellas – 'Dancing in the Street'
Marvin Gaye – 'Let's Get It On'

Why was Motown sold?

Both companies are owned by Mr. Gordy and his sister Esther Edwards. Executives said that EMI Music expected the Motown song catalogue to contribute $9 million in profit in its first year. Gordy said he decided to sell the stake in the publishing catalogue in part because he had become disenchanted with the industry.

Who made the most money for Motown?

Diana Ross and The Supremes were the most successful group or artist in Motown's history by at least one measure — their 12 Billboard No. 1 singles.

How much is Motown worth today?

A few years later, Polygram bought the entire Motown catalog, paying $330 million for the songs. Today he is worth at least $400 million.

Who owns Hitsville USA?

Berry Gordy

How many #1 hits did Motown?

1 hit, from every U.S. and International chartand from every genre, adding up to a staggering 191 tracks that hit the top, plus 10 bonus tracks whose cover versions were No. 1. In an amazing coincidence, the number of Motown artists whose recordings have either hit No.

What was the first Motown song?

Tamla Records was actually the first Motown label, debuting in 1959, and the first of the company's labels to hit No. 1. Tamla's "Please Mr. Postman," by the Marvelettes, topped the Hot 100 on Dec.

Why is it called Motown?

Its name, a portmanteau of motor and town, has become a nickname for Detroit, where the label was originally headquartered. Motown played an important role in the racial integration of popular music as an African American-owned label that achieved crossover success.

Why was Motown so successful?

Motown broke down racial prejudice by becoming the most successful independent record company in history and the most successful African-American-owned business in America. After Gordy purchased that first Detroit property, he converted the garage into a small recording studio and the kitchen into the control room.

Are Motown Records valuable?

Original copies of the Motown are exceptionally rare and expensive. The more common Chess pressing or a later repress are what you're most likely to find. Keep in mind that the early Motown singles for this group were credited to The Miracles or The Miracles Feat. Smokey Robinson.

Who was the best selling Motown act?

The Supremes

When did Motown go out of business?

When Motown Records shut down its operations in Detroit at the end of June, 1972, it was a shock – or at least it seems so, in retrospect.

Is Motown still alive?

The legendary label's legacy is still being kept alive. It's been a rough several days for Motown. Miracles co-founder Bobby Rogers died Sunday (March 3); last week, Richard Street, one of The Temptations, also passed away; and 10 days earlier, Street's former bandmate Otis "Damon" Harris died as well.

When did James Jamerson die?

August 2, 1983

Were there any white Motown artists?

Motown's soul roster contained the likes of Debbie Dean, Chris Clark, Kiki Dee and The Valadiers – all white artists mostly working with the standard Motown soul method – and the ethnically mixed Bobby Taylor And The Vancouvers, whose music was unimpeachably soulful and relevant to the times.

Who wrote Motown songs?

The trio wrote, arranged and produced many songs that helped define the Motown sound in the 1960s. During their tenure at Motown Records from 1962 to 1967, Dozier and Brian Holland were the composers and producers for each song, and Eddie Holland wrote the lyrics and arranged the vocals.

How Motown influenced music culture?

Much like how Soul Train rocketed from a local show into a national phenom, Motown did the same and then some—it influenced the whole world. Credited as the originator of modern soul music because of his vocal stylizations, Sam Cooke's technique and sound was a direct influence to the genre.