By David Jordan Jr
The universal language of music can create change, connect people, and transcend generations. Motown Records, founded in 1959 in Detroit, Michigan as Tamla Records, became one of the most groundbreaking record labels in music history.
The label’s first number-one record would come in 1960 with the release of the song “Shop Around” by The Miracles. The song was written by lead singer Smokey Robinson, a prolific singer, songwriter, and producer for Motown Records. Robinson, a Grammy award-winning artist and a 1987 inductee into the Rock and Rock Hall of Fame, made music history with many other notable acts on the label such as The Temptations, The Supremes, Mary Wells, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye.
The Motortown Revue made the world a stage for Motown Records, as they would tour internationally and gain new fans that would help in shaping the everlasting legacy of the label. Robinson talked to ESHE about the international tours and the legacy of Motown Records.
WATCH INTERVIEW HERE
