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C O U R S E L E C T U R E Motown in the 1970s Notes taken on April 25, 2015 by Edward Tanguay |
Motown comes from "Motor City" or Detroit
founder of the Motown record label
one of the most important record labels of the 60s
happens mostly in Los Angeles
Barry Gordy wants to expand into movies and television
being produced by Norman Whitfield
interested in doing what Sly Stone was doing
in the 1970s they began to address themes in urban life
after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
not so much provocative, but engaging
1972 Papa was a Rolling Stone
about problems in urban life, in the black community
an ambitious track, over seven minutes in length
artistic, creates an atmosphere
influenced by Sly Stone and some of the Blaxploitation films and what was going on with Isaac Hayes and Curtis Mayfield
a high-water mark in the 1970s for the temptations
number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and won three Grammy Awards in 1973
an enduring and influential soul classic
formed in 1968 in Alabama
signed to Motown in 1971
lead singer Lionel Richie
1978 Three Times a Lady
young child star, Michael Jackson
little Michael Jackson up front singing up a storm, you could already see that this kid was already absolutely loaded with talent, a fantastic performer and dancer
got into a dispute with Berry Gordy Jr.
Berry Gordy wanted to keep them in the teen category
they wanted to play to more mature audiences
1976 they did not renew at Motown, went to CBS
Berry Gordy owned the name "Jackson 5"
renamed themselves as "The Jacksons"
brother Jermaine stayed at Motown
replaced by another brother, Randy Jackson
perhaps the best disco record ever recorded
Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
1970s: Motown artists began to take more control
it had been more like an assembly line
labor was separated out
Marvin Gaye (1939-1984)
helped to shape the sound of Motown Records in the 1960s
established a more social commentary voice
1971 album: What's Going On
more like a concept album
dealt with urban issues in a way that was authentic
figured out that the best way to deal with Stevie Wonder is to let Stevie be Stevie
let him do all the writing, singing, playing, and production
complex arrangements using synthesizers
influence from Yes and Emerson, Lake, and Palmer
1972 Album: Talking Book
1973 Album: Innervisions
in the spirit of Blaxploitation movies
kid who comes to the city and gets thrown in jail
1976: Songs in the Key of Life
classical references in his style