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Berry Gordy Receives $800 Loan
Berry Gordy Jr. launches Tamla Records with an $800 loan from the Gordy family savings fund, and releases Marv Johnson’s “Come To Me.”
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Birth Of The Motortown Revue
The “Gordy Star Attractions Show” makes its debut, featuring the Miracles, Marv Johnson and Mable John, among others.
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Home Of The Hits On West Grand Blvd.
Berry Gordy buys a two-story house at 2648 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit, and puts up a sign to signal his intentions: Hitsville U.S.A.
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'Bad Girl' Makes Good With Chess
The Miracles’ “Bad Girl,” written by Berry Gordy and William “Smokey” Robinson, is released under license to Chess Records.
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Money (That's What I Want)
First released on Tamla Records, Barrett Strong’s “Money (That’s What I Want)” is a hit when nationally distributed by Anna Records.
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Mary Wells' Debut Single
"Bye Bye Baby" is the debut Motown single by 17-year-old Mary Wells, who wrote the song herself.
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Marvin Gaye signs to Motown
After singing with the Moonglows, Marvin Gaye moves to Detroit and, through group leader Harvey Fuqua’s contacts, joins Motown.
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The Miracles' First National Hit
The Miracles’ first national hit, “Shop Around” is released, after Berry Gordy summons the Miracles to the studio at 3 a.m. to re-record the song.
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The Supremes Sign To Motown
The Supremes sign to Motown, with their first 45 on the Tamla label, “I Want A Guy,” released in March.
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Motown Sign Little Stevie Wonder
Berry Gordy signs Little Stevie Wonder after an impressive audition at Hitsville by the 11-year-old, playing several instruments.
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The Temptations' Debut Single
“Oh Mother Of Mine,” the Temptations’ debut for Motown Records, is issued on the company’s Miracle label.
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Motown's First No. 1
Motown ends the year with its first No. 1 on the pop charts: “Please Mr. Postman” by the Marvelettes.
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First Holland/Dozier/ Holland Teamwork
Motown issues “Dearest One” by Lamont Dozier, his first song written with Eddie and Brian Holland.
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First Top 20 Single For Gordy Label
The Gordy label gains its first Top 20 success with “Do You Love Me” by the Contours.
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The Motortown Revue Begins
The first “Motortown Revue” package tour of more than two dozen cities begins in Washington, DC.
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Marvin Gaye Enters The Charts
Marvin Gaye has his first Top 50 pop hit with “Stubborn Kind Of Fellow.”
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Holland/Dozier/ Holland Chart Success
The Marvelettes’ “Locking Up My Heart” is released to become an early chart success for the Holland/Dozier/Holland team.
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The Four Tops Sign To Motown
The Four Tops sign to Motown, and begin recording in Studio A at Hitsville.
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The 12 Year Old Genius
Little Stevie Wonder’s The 12 Year Old Genius Recorded Live is Motown’s first No. 1 album, as “Fingertips – Pt. 2” tops the Hot 100.
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Motown Signs U.K. License Deal
Motown kicks off its new U.K. license deal with EMI Records with the release of Martha & the Vandellas’ “Heat Wave”.
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Motown launches Soul label
Motown launches its Soul label with Shorty Long’s “Devil With The Blue Dress” whilst Jimmy Ruffin and Jr. Walker & The All Stars join the roster.
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My Guy Tops The Beatles
“My Guy” by Mary Wells becomes Motown’s fourth No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the company's first major U.K. hit.
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The Supremes' Chart Success
The Supremes begin their run of five consecutive No. 1 hits with “Where Did Our Love Go”.
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Smokey Pens My Girl
The Temptations get together with Smokey Robinson at Hitsville’s Studio A to record a new song, “My Girl.”
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Tamla Motown U.K. Tour
The Tamla Motown label is launched in the U.K., while Martha & the Vandellas, Stevie Wonder, the Miracles and the Supremes begin touring England, Scotland and Wales.
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Motown's 10th No. 1
The Four Tops achieve Motown Records’ tenth No. 1 with “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch).”
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The Supremes' debut at Copacabana
The Supremes make their triumphant debut at New York’s Copacabana nightclub.
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Brenda opens for the Beatles
Brenda Holloway opens for the Beatles at the group’s historic concert at Shea Stadium, New York.
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Temptin' Temptations hits the charts
Temptin’ Temptations is the first of the group’s two Top 20 albums this year; the second is Gettin’ Ready.
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Marvin Gaye At The Copa
The latest Motown star to play New York’s Copacabana is Marvin Gaye.
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The Four Tops Hit No.1
The Four Tops’ “Reach Out I’ll Be There” is No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
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The Temptations Enter the Top 10, Again
Motown takes its thirteenth Top 10 pop hit of the year with the Temptations’ “(I Know) I’m Losing You.”
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Stevie's Back On Track
Motown releases Stevie Wonder’s “I Was Made To Love Her” to become his biggest hit since “Fingertips – Pt. 2.”
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Presenting Diana Ross & The Supremes
“Reflections” is the first release to feature new billing for Motown’s prime attraction: Diana Ross & the Supremes.
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Motown's Chart Triumph
Motown takes ten of Billboard’s top 100 best-selling albums, including Diana Ross & the Supremes’ Greatest Hits at No. 1.
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I Heard It Through The Grapevine
Gladys Knight & the Pips’ “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” is No. 1 on the R&B best-sellers and No. 2 on the pop charts.
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First Motown No.1 Album in the U.K.
The Four Tops’ Greatest Hits takes the top slot in the U.K. from the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
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Motown HQ Moves
Motown Record Corp. officially opens its new Detroit headquarters in downtown’s Woodward Avenue, moved from West Grand Boulevard.
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The Jackson 5 Audition, Dennis Edwards Joins The Temps
The Jackson 5 audition for Motown, and the Temptations gain a new lead singer.
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Motown Take Half the Top 10
Motown takes half the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, including the Top 3 with Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Diana Ross & the Supremes.
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Marvin Sits On The Top Spot
America’s No. 1 single this entire month is “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye.
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Motown earns its first Grammy® award with the Temptations’ “Cloud Nine.”
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The Jackson 5 Are Unveiled
Motown throws a launch party in Los Angeles for the Jackson 5, and unveils its new rock label, Rare Earth, in Detroit.
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Diana To Leave The Supremes
Billboard reports Motown’s announcement that Diana Ross will leave the Supremes for a solo career, with Jean Terrell to join the “new” Supremes.
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Diana Ross & the Supremes play their final show together at the Frontier Hotel, Las Vegas.
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The Jackson 5 Are On A Roll
With “I Want You Back,” the Jackson 5 score the first of four consecutive No. 1 hits this year.
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Tamla Motown Invades the U.K. Charts
Tamla-Motown takes a quarter of the U.K. Top 20 with hits by Edwin Starr, the Temptations, the Four Tops, Diana Ross and Jimmy Ruffin.
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Motown's Seventh No.1 Of The Year
Motown triumphs with its seventh No.1 of the year on the Billboard Hot 100 with Smokey Robinson & the Miracles’ “The Tears Of A Clown.”
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Motown Wins Its 2nd Grammy®
Motown wins its second-ever Grammy® award, for Dr. Martin Luther King’s album, Why I Oppose The War In Vietnam.
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What's Going On
One of Motown’s greatest music milestones, Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On album, is released.
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MoWest Scores A Chart Hit
Motown's new L.A.-based label, MoWest, has its first chart entry with Tom Clay's "What The World Needs Now Is Love/Abraham, Martin and John".
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The Jackson 5 Become TV Stars
Motown’s latest TV stars are the Jackson 5, front and center in their own special, Goin’ Back To Indiana, and a cartoon series, The Jackson 5ive.
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The Commodores' Debut
The Commodores’ debut Motown single, “The Zoo (The Human Zoo),” is released on the MoWest label.
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Marvin Performs What's Going On
Marvin Gaye performs What’s Going On in its entirety at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
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Stevie Opens for The Rolling Stones
Stevie Wonder kicks off a 50-date itinerary opening for the Rolling Stones, and the Jackson 5 begin a nationwide summer tour in New York.
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Smokey's Final Performance With The Miracles
Smokey Robinson & the Miracles play their final concerts together in Washington, D.C.
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The Temptations Take 3 Grammy® Awards
Motown’s 30th No. 1 hit, “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone” by the Temptations, takes three Grammy® awards.
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Diana's First Solo No.1 Album
Diana Ross scores her first solo No. 1 album with the soundtrack from Lady Sings The Blues, in which she plays the late jazz singer, Billie Holiday.
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Stevie Wonder Releases Innervisions
Stevie Wonder’s Innervisions album is released, three days before the musician is involved in a traumatic auto accident in North Carolina.
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Marvin's First No. 1 in 4 Years
“Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye is his first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 since “I Heard It Through The Grapevine.”
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Stevie Wonder Wins 5 Grammys®
Stevie Wonder is honoured with five Grammy® awards, including Album of the Year for Innervisions, and two for “Superstition.”
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'Diana Ross Month'
Motown declares this to be “Diana Ross Month,” with her new album, Live At Caesar’s Palace, at its centerpiece.
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Jimmy Ruffin Returns To U.K. Top 10
Jimmy Ruffin’s 1966 smash, “What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted,” is a U.K. Top 10 hit for the second time.
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Fulfillingness' First Finale Hits No.1
Motown is No. 1 on the album charts once more, with Stevie Wonder’s Fulfillingness’ First Finale.
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Stevie Cleans Up At The Grammys®
Stevie Wonder makes a second consecutive sweep of the Grammy® awards, this time with Fulfillingness’ First Finale.
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A Quiet Storm
Smokey Robinson’s third solo album, A Quiet Storm, is released, later to inspire an entire music radio format.
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The Commodores Enter The Top 20
“Slippery When Wet” becomes the Commodores’ first Top 20 success on the Billboard Hot 100 as the group’s popularity grows.
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Mahogany Opens In New York
Diana Ross’ second feature film, Mahogany, directed by Berry Gordy, opens in New York.
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Motown Embraces Disco
Disco rules. Among the winners are the Miracles ("Love Machine") and Diana Ross ("Love Hangover"), both with No. 1 hits.
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The Supremes' Final Top 40 Hit
The Supremes enjoy their final Top 40 hit on the pop charts with “I’m Gonna Let My Heart Do The Walking.”
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Marvin Sells Out Royal Albert Hall
Marvin Gaye performs his first-ever concerts in the U.K., selling out London’s Royal Albert Hall and adding a show at the London Palladium.
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Stevie's Songs In The Key Of Life Tops The Charts
Stevie Wonder’s Songs in The Key of Life begins a 14-week run at the top of the Billboard album charts.
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Stevie's Fifth No.1
Stevie Wonder’s “I Wish” becomes his fifth No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and Motown’s 40th.
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Thelma Houston Sets A Motown First
“Don’t Leave Me This Way” by Thelma Houston is the first Motown single to reach No. 1 on the pop, R&B and dance charts.
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Marvin's Live At The London Palladium Climbs The Charts
Marvin’s Live At The London Palladium climbs into the Top 3 of the album charts as “Got To Give It Up” heads for No. 1.
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The Supremes Perform Their Last Concert
The Supremes – Mary Wilson, Susaye Greene, Scherrie Payne – perform their last concert together, at London’s Theatre Royal.
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Rick James' Breakthrough
Rick James’ first Motown album, Come Get It, is released, featuring his breakthrough hit, “You And I.”
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The Commodores' First No.1
“Three Times A Lady,” written by Lionel Richie, is the first No. 1 on the pop charts for the Commodores.
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Motown Premieres The Wiz
Motown Productions premieres its newest movie, The Wiz, starring Diana Ross and co-starring Michael Jackson and Richard Pryor.
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Marvin Releases Here, My Dear
Here, My Dear, Marvin Gaye’s emotional farewell to his first wife, Anna, is released.
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Pops We Love You
Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson hit the charts with their four-way tribute to Berry Gordy’s late father, “Pops We Love You.”
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Rick James Lends A Hand
Teena Marie is Motown’s newest hitmaker as “I’m Just A Sucker For Your Love,” written and produced by Rick James, debuts on the R&B charts.
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Bonnie Pointer Brings Back A Classic
A Motown hit from the 1960s returns to the limelight as Bonnie Pointer’s update of “Heaven Must Have Sent You” reaches the Top 20.
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Stevie Performs His First Movie Soundtrack
Stevie Wonder performs music from his first movie soundtrack, Journey Through The Secret Life of Plants, at New York’s Metropolitan Opera House.
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Motown's Newest Success: Billy Preston & Syreeta
Motown’s newest international success is “With You I’m Born Again” by Billy Preston & Syreeta, a Top 3 hit in the UK.
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The Temptations Are Chartbound Once More
Re-signed to Motown, the Temptations are chartbound once more with “Power,” co-written and co-produced by Berry Gordy.
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Jermaine Jackson Gets Serious
Jermaine Jackson has a new Top 10 hit with “Let’s Get Serious,” written and produced by Stevie Wonder.
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A Tribute To Bob Marley
A tribute to reggae godfather Bob Marley, “Master Blaster (Jammin’)” becomes Stevie Wonder’s 22nd Top 10 smash.
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Marvin Releases His Final Album For Motown
Marvin Gaye’s final album for Motown, In Our Lifetime, is released.
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Motown Celebrates Smokey's Success
Motown kicks off a year-long celebration of Smokey Robinson’s 25th anniversary in showbiz, following his biggest-ever solo hit, “Being With You.”
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Rick James Storms The Charts
Street Songs by Rick James hits the Top 5 of the album charts, going on to sell more than three million copies.
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Diana & Lionel Love, Endlessly
Diana Ross & Lionel Richie’s “Endless Love” begins its nine-week run at No. 1 to become one of Motown’s all-time top-selling singles.
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Stevie Prepares His Original Musiquarium I
Motown announces that Stevie Wonder has re-signed with the company, and prepares the release of his Original Musiquarium I set.
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Gordy Co-Produces A Hit For Charlene
Charlene’s “I’ve Never Been To Me,” co-produced by Berry Gordy, is a Top 3 success, almost five years after its first release.
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The New Hitmakers: The Dazz Band
The Dazz Band are Motown’s newest hitmakers as “Let It Whip” becomes a Top 5 smash on the pop charts.
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Lionel Pens His First Solo Hit
The first single from Lionel Richie’s latest album, “Truly” is his first No. 1 as a solo singer/songwriter.
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Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever
An NBC-TV special, Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever, celebrates the artists and music of the company’s extraordinary quarter-century.
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