It’s hard to believe, but Motown has been lighting up the music scene for nearly 60 years now. Recently, some of the label’s biggest stars gathered together to celebrate this incredible milestone. As Berry Gordy Jr., the man behind the Motown magic, put it in an exclusive interview with Closer Weekly, “Great relationships bring happiness, and happiness is the greatest thing in the world.” He went on to explain that it’s the special bond between himself and Smokey Robinson that has been the backbone of Motown’s success.
From Humble Beginnings to Global Stardom
Back in 1958, Berry produced the very first song Smokey ever recorded with the Miracles, titled “Got a Job.” The track performed well, but Smokey felt his group wasn’t getting their fair share of royalties. That’s when he suggested Berry start his own record label. “Shortly after that, he started Motown,” Smokey recalls with a smile. “And the rest, as they say, is history.”
Breaking Barriers and Changing Music Forever
Motown wasn’t just about creating hits—it was about breaking down barriers and racially integrating popular music in the 1960s. The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, the Jackson 5, and so many others became household names thanks to the label’s influence. “This was a beautiful, loving company that emerged when the world really needed it,” says Gabe Turner, one of the directors of the new documentary Hitsville: The Making of Motown. “It’s about a core group of people coming together to take on the world.”
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Mary Wilson, an original member of the Supremes and now a contestant on Dancing With the Stars season 28, remembers the close-knit family vibe at Motown. “We used to have Christmas parties at Motown before any of us became famous,” she tells Closer. “We’d all sing together, just like one big family.”
A Legacy That Continues to Inspire
Even after all these years, Motown’s impact is as strong as ever. “It’s been 60 years, and we’re still here,” Smokey marvels. “Even kids who haven’t been born yet are going to know about Motown. There ain’t no mountain high enough for us.”
Make sure to tune in to Hitsville: The Making of Motown when it premieres Saturday, August 24, on Showtime at 9 p.m. ET. It’s a must-watch for any music lover or history buff.
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