ARTISTS
All of the artists formed what Berry Gordy called the "Motown Family". Each contributed to Motown's strength and success. However, there were those few superstars that continue to shine above the rest. You can call them legends. They shaped the sound of today's R&B, Hip-hop, Soul, and Jazz. They brought a new era to the music world and their talent as well as their musical influence will forever be remembered.
Marvin Gaye (April 12, 1939 - April 1, 1984)
Marvin Gaye was a musician, singer, and songwriter. He began his solo career, apart from his do-op group The Moonglows, in 1960 with one of Motown's branches. Soon after he signed on with the record company, he became their top-selling solo artists. He got the names "Prince of Soul" and "Prince of Motown" as a result of the solo hits he made and the duets he sang. Twenty-four years into his career, Marvin Gaye was shot and killed by his father. After his death, he received many honors and awards. A few of them included his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a number six spot on the list of the Greatest Singers of All Time, and number eighteen spot on the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
Smokey Robinson (February 19, 1940- )
Smokey Robinson, also known as "The King of Motown", is a R&B soul singer, song writer and record producer. He was friends and colleagues with Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown, and was put in the position as the company's Vice President between the years of 1961 and 1988. He was also a member of Motown's first vocal group, called the Miracles, and later ventured into a solo career.
Michael Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009)
Michael Jackson, also known as the "King of Pop", is one of the most successful entertainers of all time, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. His connection with Motown began in 1968. He and his four brothers were signed with the record company as Jackson 5. Although they were the youngest of the "Motown Family", their success took off and their singles climbed the charts. Unfortunately, it was only seven years later that the group decided to leave Motown due to the strict rules that Berry had set, which disabled them to have any creative input into their music whatsoever. Michael stayed with his brothers until 1979 and then began his solo career the same year. His first album was 'Off The Wall' and it was evident that it would not be long until this young star would make himself known to the world.
Diana Ross (March 26, 1944- )
As an American actress and singer, Diana Ross was definitely seen as an icon and a role model that many young women followed. She began her career in music as the lead singer of the Supremes in the 1960s, but left the group in 1970 to become a solo artist and also to begin acting. Throughout her lifetime she won many awards and titles. A few of them include: a nomination for the Best Actress Academy Award, a Golden Globe, 12 Grammy Award nominations, she was named "Female Entertainer of the Century" by Billboard in 1976, and she is also one of the few celebrities to have 2 stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Stevie Wonder (May 13, 1950- )
Stevie Wonder was just 11 years old when he signed with Motown Records. He is an American singer-songwriter, record-producer, multi-instrumentalist, and one of the greatest voices in Motown. Blind shortly after birth, singing is something that has always come natural to Stevie. He has recorded over 30 U.S. top hits and has received 22 Grammy's, the most ever awarded to a male solo artist.
