Motown

By AlexusL.

  • Birth of Motown

    Began when Gordy borrowed $800 from his family in Detroit, Michigan.

  • “Shop Around” reaches top charts

    “Shop Around” by the Miracles was the first Motown record to have 1 million records sold.
  • Period: to

    Marvin Gaye, The Marvelettes, and Mary Wells join Motown

  • Motown's first hit

    “Money (That’s What I Want)” by Barrett Strong and written by Berry Gordy and Janie Bradford.

  • The Temptations join Motown

    Their original name for the group was The Elgins but were signed as The Temptations.

  • Stevie Wonder joins Motown

    Wonder joined only when he was 11

  • The Supremes join Motown

  • “Please Mr. Postman” reaches top charts

    This song by The Marvelettes was the first Motown song to be No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop single chart.

  • “You Beat Me to the Punch” reaches top charts

    “You Beat Me to the Punch” by Mary Wells written by Smokey Robinson reached #1 on the R&B chart and #9 on Billboard’s Pop chart.
  • Period: to

    Motown Tours East and South Coasts

    The Motor Town Revue tours east and south coasts with groups such as The Supremes, The Miracles, Stevie Wonder, The Marvelettes, Marvin Gaye and others.

  • Smokey Robinson becomes Vice President of Motown

  • “I Have a Dream” speech is recorded on the Gordy label

    “I Have a Dream” speech is recorded on the Gordy label
    125,000 people marched with Dr. Martin Luther King on Woodward Ave. in Detroit where the “I Have a Dream” speech was first delivered.

  • Civil Rights Speeches recorded on the Gordy Label

    11 civil rights leaders speak at the Freedom March on Washington including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

  • “The Way You Do the Things You Do” reaches top 20 hits

    “The Way You Do the Things You Do” by the Temptations

  • Tamla-Motown is launched in UK

    Tamla-Motown is launched in UK

  • “My Girl” hits #1

    “My Girl” by The Temptations written by Smokey Robinson and Ronald White.

  • Motown's gross is $20 million

  • Period: to

    Tammi Terrel, the Isley Brothers, and Gladys Knight and the Pips join Motown

  • Motown's gross sales reach $30 million

  • Motown now has 5 major labels

    Motown's five major labels were Tamla, Motown, Gordy, Soul and V.I.P.
  • Period: to

    Stevie Wonder tours Europe

  • “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” hit #1

    “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye reached #1 on pop chart

  • “I Can’t Get Next To You” reaches #1

    “I Can’t Get Next To You” by The Temptations reached #1 on the pop chart.

  • Motown headquarters move to California