Let’s take a few days to give the soul artists from the 60s and 70s their rightful due. In many ways, these artists were the foundation of what we consider popular music today. Sure we love our Motown music, but the singers and songwriters came from all parts of this great country of ours, so let’s pull back the curtain and give them a shout out.
We know that struggling amateur boxer Berry Gordy borrowed $800 from his uncle to start and run a new music label out of his downtown Detroit home, but who could predict the future? Yes, the Four Tops, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Martha Reeves, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, the Temptations, Mary Wells, Jr. Walker, the Spinners and more became famous, but did you know that the Isley Brothers, the Commodores, Lionel Richie, Boyz II Men, Rick James, Frankie Valli, Toni Braxton and Michael McDonald were once with the Motown Label? In other words, Berry’s great ear and business acumen went well past the 60s.
Also, let’s give a quick shout out to soul stars the BT Express, The Three Degrees, Billy Paul, Rufus and Al Green.
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