I don't have Showtime, but I grew up listening to CKLW out of Detroit to hear the Motown sound. It came in really clear at night here in Cleveland, and I used to have my little GE transistor radio tuned to 800 on the dial, hanging by its fake leather case loop on my bedpost, to hear my favorites by the Temps, 4 Tops, Supremes, Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Jr Walker and the All Stars ... and others.
When you mentioned Barry Gordon, I assume you meant Barry Gordy?
Anyway, besides Barry Gordy and the numerous Motown artists, the other names that anyone interested needs to know are the songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland, who wrote a huge number of hits for Motown artists, and James Jamerson, the bass player who was the absolute anchor of the Motown sound.
I grew up listening to CKLW out of Detroit to hear the Motown sound.
Ya wanna know something crazy?
CKLW actually was broadcast from Canada. Its HQ was Windsor (right across the river). They were so instrumental in taking Motown national/international that folks just assumed they were from DET.
CK was one of a handful of mega transmitters operating at the time. I had fam who lived in St. Louis who could consistently get that station 4-5 nights/week
On the film a lot of it is a discussion between Barry and Smoky.
Leo's Casino booked all the Motown acts. I saw Little Stevie Wonder, Jackie Wilson, The O'Jays, Smoky Robinson there.
Looking back from a racial standpoint Leo's Casino was at the end of Euclid like 7500 Euclid a black neighborhood.
This was in the sixties. A time when you didn't cross racial city borders. Yet at Leo's Casino lots of white kids from the Heights went to see Motown music there. Never did you feel threatened.
I grew up listening to CKLW out of Detroit to hear the Motown sound.
Ya wanna know something crazy?
CKLW actually was broadcast from Canada. Its HQ was Windsor (right across the river). They were so instrumental in taking Motown national/international that folks just assumed they were from DET.
CK was one of a handful of mega transmitters operating at the time. I had fam who lived in St. Louis who could consistently get that station 4-5 nights/week
I definitely have to watch this as I am a huge fan of Motown.
Hearing the CKLW jingle gave me chills as it reminded me of growing up as a kid and that is the only radio station we would listen too. (Now I can get the jingle out of my head :))
My mother was from Lima, Ohio and some of my fondest memories are being at my grandparents house with all of my aunts and uncles on a summer evening after we would be at this swimming place which I think was called Long's and everyone had their transistor radio on CKLW.
They have a film called Hitsville The Making of Motown.
For anyone who likes music it is interesting.
The Motown sound was something all could relate too. What is interesting about the film was how innovating the business side was.
Barry Gordon is a fascinating guy. Smoky was a giant and was a driver.
It is worth the time if there is an interest.
He ran the company like the assembly line at Ford where he worked for a while... Motown was often referred to as a "machine"... he took a lot of Ideas from Ford and adapted them to his new business.
Gordy was nothing short of brilliant. I think he was the first to use a committee to chose what songs got promoted.. Motown was also the first to every design and train their to use chorography during performance..
I don't have Showtime, but I grew up listening to CKLW out of Detroit to hear the Motown sound. It came in really clear at night here in Cleveland, and I used to have my little GE transistor radio tuned to 800 on the dial, hanging by its fake leather case loop on my bedpost, to hear my favorites by the Temps, 4 Tops, Supremes, Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Jr Walker and the All Stars ... and others.
When you mentioned Barry Gordon, I assume you meant Barry Gordy?
Anyway, besides Barry Gordy and the numerous Motown artists, the other names that anyone interested needs to know are the songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland, who wrote a huge number of hits for Motown artists, and James Jamerson, the bass player who was the absolute anchor of the Motown sound.
Crap. We used to pay a bit extra for Showtime with Hulu but dropped it. Maybe I can find it on Kodi.
I LOOOVE Motown. If you get a chance to see the Broadway show, I highly recommend it. We saw it when it was in Columbus. At times I felt like I was actually getting to see some of these guys in their prime.
