I miss the great-old Motown music so bad that things will never be the same anymore. My biggest downfall about Motown is that many singers, some members of the Funk Brothers, and Lamont Dozier have died. Motown and other soul music are still my speed.
Motown’s roster of talent, both the singers, song writers and musicians, is unparalleled but the artists were pretty much exploited. When Berry sued the J5 for leaving, taking their name & all future earnings from their work as kids, he hit a new low.
Oh God no. He stripped the J5 of future royalties payments??!!! 😱 This man is a Demonic businessman! God will GET HIM for ALLLLL of his dirty dealings!
Motown was much more than Superstars!!! Motown was an "entire industry"!!! Producers, Singers, Writers, Musicians, Choreographers, Costume designs, Etiquette Coaches, Transportation, Finance Dept, Managers, etc! Complete DoAS Industry💯! Amazing!!!
Well done, Mr. Man. As a seventy-three-year-old, who grew up as Motown came into being, and as one who has read some Motown artists' biographies, you taught me a lot about their history. Thank you. Again, well done, right up to 2022.
R.I.P to James Jameson and Bob Babbitt and Benny Benjamin and all of the Other Funk Brothers who laid the foundation for r&b music. Had to scalp a ticket to see the work that they did THAT'S A DAMN SHAME Berry Gordy was wrong that one .
Jimmy Ruffin was one of Motown's Iconic Solo Artists we all Know How Jimmy was Famous for Singing the Hit Song What Becomes of the Brokenhearted, I've Passed this way Before, Gonna Give you all the love I got, Don't you miss me a little bit baby, Farewell is a Lonely Sound, I'll say Forever my love, and It's Wonderful to be loved by you. Ruffin only had 7 Hits with Motown However Berry Gordy said that What Becomes of the Brokenhearted is his Personal favorite song. Around (1961) Jimmy Ruffin got Signed to Motown and his First two songs was Don't Feel Sorry for me, and Heart then suddenly Jimmy was called to serve in the Army and was stationed in Germany by (1964) Ruffin lefted the Army and went back to Motown he an Opportunity to join the Temptations after firing (Al Brant) But Jimmy Turned down the Offer cause he wanted to have a Solo Career However Jimmy's brother David wanted to Join the Temptations and he did as for Jimmy he continued his Solo Career However Jimmy said he was Hustling for new material then he had heard that the group The Spinners was gonna sing the Song What Becomes of the Brokenhearted but Ruffin thought he could do it better so he asked the guy who wrote the lyrics for the song James dean said that he could do it better and he gave him a chance and they loved the way how he sang the song that Song became such Huge Hit on the Billboard Hot 100 it was number 7# it also peak Number 6# on the Billboard R&B Singles, then it reached number 8# in the UK Chart. It was one of Motown's Greatest Hits of all time around (1966) However That Song Became a Hit again in (1974) Jimmy sang with Motown all the way till the 70's When he left Motown and went to Chess Records where he met Producer Jimmy Roach and Jimmy started Writing and Producing his own Soul Music until his next Big Hit in (1974) Jimmy had wrote the Hit Song Tell me what you want and it was Big in the UK Charts However hadn't had Another Hit for a few Years Until (1980) Singer Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees and Blue Weaver Wrote and Produced Jimmy's next Album Sunrise Which contains Ruffin's Come back Hit Song Hold on to my love the song Reached number 7# in the UK Charts same year then two years later Jimmy sang a Duet with Singer Maxine Nightingale the song was called Turn to me and that song Reached number 17# in the R&B Charts in (1983) then by (1984) Jimmy moved to the UK and Teamed up with Singer Paul Weller and they sang the song Soul Deep to help collect money for the UK Minors then Jimmy had sang another Duet with Singer Jackson Moore and they sang I'm gonna love you Forever. Then by (1985) Jimmy had sang another two Songs called There will never be another you and the Feat Backstabbers then by (1986) Jimmy had joined up with group called Heaven 17 they sang the Hit Song It's a Foolish thing to do and Feat of Luther Vandross Song My Sensitivity however It's a Foolish thing to do reached number 80# in the UK Singles then Jimmy sang alot of other Songs like That's when my Lovin' Begins, Don't stop keep on loving me girl, Falling in love with you, We finally found out, Leading lady, Take my hand, Wake me up when it over, It's easy just to say I love you, then he had sung another Duet with Singer Brenda Holloway they sang the Song on the Rebound. Jimmy sang a Duet with his brother David Ruffin too and he sang a Duet with Singer Marcy Levy and Dusty Springfield. By (1970) Jimmy Ruffin was Voted World's Top Singer in the British Polls doing the same year Jimmy's Songs It's Wonderful to be loved by you, Farewell is a Lonely Sound and I'll say Forever my love became Hits and reached Top 10 in the UK Charts. Around (1991) after his brother David died Jimmy had become an Anti Drug Advocate. Jimmy had lefted the UK and went to Las Vegas to be closer to his Family he performed in Vegas too then by (2014) Jimmy wanted to do one last Album so he sang all of his Hit Songs for the last time his last Album was called the Soul Sound of Jimmy Ruffin during that same year Jimmy was Gravely Ill and his family had sent him to Las Vegas hospital 🏥 and he said in intensive care for a few months then by November 18 Jimmy had Died and on Wednesday two of his children Philicia and Jimmy Ruffin Jr aka (Ray Ruffin) had reported their father's death to the news media they had a funeral for Jimmy and his family was sad and his daughter Philicia had said that Her father was a Rare type of man who lefted his mark on the music industry and as for Berry Gordy he said that Jimmy was a phenomenal singer. God Rest his Soul he was one the Greatest singers of all Time. It's been officially 8 years since Jimmy Ruffin's death. Ruffin's children Philicia, Jimmy Ruffin Jr, Jimmie Ray (deceased) Arlet, Ophelia and Camilla. Jimmy Ruffin's last song was called One in a million cause he was one in a million.
Don’t y’all think it would have been good for berry Gordy to have paid for these artists funerals since they made him what he is today small change really my opinion
The Funk Brothers are the backbone of the Motown Organization most of these people are singers but Berry Gordy still didn't give them much credit and I can say this because I am a musician
@@pausetapest.v8302 😆😂they were the backup singers for everybody! And rounded out sound to many musical artists. For $5 a song😳 they're background on Marvin Gaye'"ain't that peculiar ",The Four Tops "still water",Diana Ross and Supremes "Love Child ". Look them up on "Unsung" they made a show about their body of work.
The reason why I said the funk brothers is because no one ever mention those guys and gals ever and without them the temptations and others would be singing acapella songs Realtalk 💯💯
The Temptations are the greatest of all the Motown universe. Stevie Wonder is a universe unto himself. And all of them had a place to congregate because of Berry Gordy's vision. Oh yeah Motown also was the record label for the first seven years of Michael Jackson's career. Almost mythical when you think about it.
@Nevin Reid A few months ago, I saw and read on TH-cam that Stevie Wonder left America, because the hatred, discrimination on all points, violence, and all other bad things happen frequently in these times, like never before. I thank you for tapping or typing to me.
But he still kept their copyrights. Mary WELLS FAMILY HAD TO TAKE CARE OF HER. BERRY GORDY DIDN'T EVEN HELP HER THROUGH HER CHEMO TREATMENTS FOR HER THROAT CANCER.
@@captainkeyboard1007 this is in some respect but let's be clear No Motown singers would nothing without the the funk brothers. Except for Steve he played his own music
The Funk Brotners should have been showcased as a seperate talent, recording and touring as well as session musicians, if it was possible. No other group to this day can compare to the Funk Brothers rythmnical form. I salute The Best of the Best. Thank you!
It's an open secret that MOTOWN was a shady record label but we can't deny Motown produced timeless songs and legendary artists and revolutionized Music industry
Yes, you're right. I want to hear all the dirt, but you know what? Gordy is now in his 90s and there's no telling HOW much longer he'll live. But,.....when he dies, you will hear alll about the dirty, underhanded ways he dealt with people. I expect SOMEBODY to do a tell-all book or TELEVISED documentary.
@@freddy8479 Yes, Freddy ~ you're so right about THIS. Mr. Robinson will croak first HIMSELF before HE tells anything HE knows about how singers were dealt with. I recall reading an interview in an article Smokey did years ago. The interviewer said to Smokey: "You and Berry Gordy are the only ones who KNOW where all the bodies are buried..." Smokey replied: "Yes ~ that may be true...."
Thank you for the update and you didn't drag the name down as some do. I believe that Barry Gordy is a shrew business man and some of his decisions were ruthless but basically he was creating and distributing music for us to remember forever. Yes
I really enjoyed this video. I came up during the time Motown was flourishing. Thanks for giving a shout out to my home girls from Inkster Michigan, the Marvelettes.
@@MrBarrywes because number one it's my opinion number two he treated everyone else very very cruel other than Diana and smokey and pushed them out of the spotlight especially the ones who gave motown their first big hits he got Diana to stardom why couldn't he do that for everyone else?
I'll give credit when credit is due and without Berry Gordy and Motown, we wouldn't have amazing artists, some that I'm a huge fan of. But when I read about how he sued the Jacksons and didn't allow them to use Jackson 5 at Epic, that just angered me so much
Berry Gordy second wife raynoma Gordy was the one that found the house was the one that worked with him from the very beginning it's in her book no one gives her any credit for her Beginnings with Motown
I always have loved soul Motown music. The President's, Four Tops, Temptations, Marvin Gaye, and more. If these aren't Motown, well are to me and always will. Now "What becomes of the broken hearted❤️. Be This music here I'm not for because it gets better. The Golden Oldies!
They were never the same after leaving Detroit Post edit : having Jameson scalp tickets to Motown 25 is one of the lowest thing Motown ever did to one of its artists
@@detroitmusix4275 a genius in creativity/cultivating artists but in the same breath not pay them what they were worth! Bad contracts!..because most were kids and wanted to be famous over business side! Until they realized they were took it was too late! Ex; of a bad contract..The Supremes 3%. That was 1% per person. And they were making the most money btwn 64'-69'🤷🏾♀️🤦🏽♀️
I remember Florence Ballard. He ripped her off. She could have the Supreme name big time if she was business savvy but then again she wanted out completely
@@RaiderRSupastar I'M FROM DETROIT. FLORENCE BALLARD IS THE PERSON WHO STARTED THE GROUP.IT WAS HER GROUP.DIANA ROSS JOINED THE GROUP AND DECIDED SHE WANTED TO BE THE LEAD SINGER. SHE STARTED SLEEPING WITH BARRY GORDY. HE THEN MADE DIANA ROSS THE POSITION OF LEAD SINGER EVEN THOUGH IT WAS FLORENCE GROUP. SHE WAS PUSHED OUT OF HER OWN GROUP. THIS IS WHEN FLORENCE DECIDED SHE'D HAD ENOUGH OF PLAYING SECOND FIDDLE TO DIANA ROSS. DIANA ROSS DID EVERYTHING SHE COULD TO GET RID OF FLORENCE AND SHE DID. THEY WERE ALL UNDERHANDED.🤔 Diana Ross slept Her Way to the top‼️ Her oldest daughter RHONDA IS BARRY GORDY'S DAUGHTER.AND IT DIDN'T STOP THERE.
I LOVE this video!! They should make a MOTOWN TRILOGY!! I would go to the theater to watch ALL of them!!! Like they did with Lord of the rings and Harry Potter. I will be 37..12/28 but I LOVE MOTOWN!!💜🔥🤎🌹😇
I'll bet if the great SAM COOKE was living and thriving with his upcoming record and publishing company, SARS RECORDS in the late 60s and 70s, he would have given BG "BRAIN ANEURYSMS" mainly by adding Motown's disgruntled acts (ie: Holland-Dozier-Holland, The Funk Brothers and Florence Ballard) to his label
MR.GORDY REMAINS A GENUIS HERO ....I DIG HIS LIFETIME WORK. AT THE TIME HE CAME ALONG. HE ACCOMPLISHED A GREAT DEAL.....LOVE 💕 YOU MR.GORDY. MY HERO !!!
I like Berry Gordy as a person, but not everything he did. Otherwise, the singers and songwriters would have stayed with Motown, even though its main offices were in California.
Motown is the greatest label ever and my favorite. The other three are SOLAR, Casablanca and Philadelphia International. I love the Supremes,and the Jackson 5.
@@williebowen2965 I think she meant [In terms of releases of black artists]... I'm not really feelin "Casablanca" tho as opposed to like "Stax" or "Westbound". Only blk artists that really took-off with casablanca was Cameo,The Parliament/Funkadelic clan, Stephanie Mills, and Donna Summer
@@imanonattorneyspokesperson Nat King Cole, had a great singing career with EMI/Capitol RECORDS, Johnny Mathis has a great singing career at Columbia/C.B.S./Sony RECORDS. They didn't need MOTOWN RECORDS for recognition.
❤ yes MOTOWN great 👍 👌 music 🎶 🎵 late 1950de and 1960te and the 1970ts big song 🎵 🎶 yes ❤ T. MOTOWN by by MOTOWN happy times 😅😅😅😅 yes happy times goodnight 😴 😘 😊 ✨️ ☺️ 💗 😴
I seriously don't get some people berry was genius but he mistreated a lot of his artists and ripped them off the only ones he didn't do that to was smokey Robinson Stevie wonder and Diana. He also pushed a lot of talent away because him and Motown were only focused on Diana.
Berry Giddy & Clive Davis are part of the same cloth they have a Ear and Eye for talent But they also are cut throat and micro controlling management didnt allow alot of artist to fully blossom to their full abilities. And some Rebelled also
Its's actually insane how young he was at the peak of his powers. People are gonna make fun facts in 50 years about how Gordy lived for nearly 50 years after Motown's golden age, was still alive at the same time as a bunch of current 18 year old tik tokkers who will be tomorrow's legends, and still looked pretty young for a 90 year old.
Michael Jackson said it @ the 1997 Rock& Roll Hall Of Frame induction with his brother The Jackson 5/Michael Jackson said Berry Gordy is a genius and a King👑 cause he change the landscape of music culture forever ♾️ 🧫 🎶🎵🙏🏿
All the money the artist made him in which 90% of are broke or died broke! He could easily disperse 1 years royalties among the living and the deceased one's families! Wouldn't even affect him financially!!! He was even sleeping with the artist he screwed! Even the song writers are broke!
Motown = superb polished professional music . Musicians that were easy on the eye. The soul brothers the sound of Motown were extremely underrated . It was a great era for African American music. The fantastic artists were too many to mention. The old saying was Motown = the suburbs . Stax = the projects. I’ve always wondered if Berry Gordy would have signed the big O, Otis Redding.
The Temptations is the number one and most imitated group in music. They were also the first Motown act to win a Grammy going on to win three more over the years.
Mr Gordy was a business man not a priest.. If you sign a contract and think you deserve more attempt to get brought out or finish the contract and move on. If it were not for Mr Gordy we would not be having this discussion..
He had no faith in Michael Jackson becoming an artist. He nurtured his talent but didn't think he would flourish. He let the Jacksons go on their own thinking they would just be an oldies act. That's like throwing away a fortune, which he did
What do u mean?? Michael had his first 4 SOLO albums on Motown. Also, if MJ didn't hold a grudge against Berry Gordy, despite these things, then it's not a big deal.
@@1939lb He didn't let alot of his artists write... The temps, the supremes, etc. They didn't write either. Berry had his own team of writers. And I'm also sure he didn't want to let them write also because that's more royalties to them...
He didn’t let them have any creative control, even though they were writing songs since they got signed. They had a 2.7 royalty rate . Which sucked even for a new artist. He hosed them. Friendship didn’t pay the Jackson’s bills. They’d could’ve resigned but they knew they wouldn’t be compensated properly.
They say Barry”Shorty” Gordy had ties to the Detroit Mob through the Giacolone Bros of Jimmy Hoffa fame..in his early days of Motown. That’s the scuttlebutt around Mi. Holland-Dozier-Holland,Norman Whitfield the song writers were genius.
@@gabriellew.1164 They got a lot of music played on the radio. A lot of those young musicians wouldn’t know how to get a record made or played so they were a necessary evil.Jews and mob
Has nothing to do with an "incredible generation of music, genius writer, producer, businessman"!!! Those criminal gangsters couldn't build a music empire like Motown!
@Nevin Reid no he wasn't flo downfall came when she got raped by someone she knew and she wasn't the same after that she got really depressed after the rape and started drinking coming to work late and being disorderly
THE MOTOWN ARTIST who didn't get their due royalties, who did die poor, were never taught about the financial stability of being an ARTIST! THEY were mostly TEENAGERS, straight from the projects! They just wanted to sing and perform! They weren't business savvy! Alot of them made good money, but did not invest it well! When FLORENCE left Motown, she had over a hundred thousands dollars cash, this is CIRCA 1960s! A brand new house in Detroit, 1960s, one could purchase for 5-k! So for $30k, you could purchase 5-houses, if you understood business! Yes, it's a shame how all those talented soul singers were treated, but no situation is sane or perfect! GOOD AND BAD PEOPLE working together is what created AMERICA!
Whoever posted this, I appreciate your efforts, but doing the story of Motown in one post is next to impossible. I grew up in those days and we knew all the stories about backroom dealings at Motown; it was practically common knowledge in the Black community. You have a treasure trove of stories to dig through. If I may suggest, let this video be sort of summary of the Motown story and focus more on the individuals and how they interact and intertwine with each other. You may have at least a dozen potential videos out of it. Just a thought. 😎✌️
All of my videos are very positive and this was a positive look at Motown longer videos are cool but it’s not attention grabbers I also don’t like reporting rumors or he say she say things if I can’t prove it then it’s not worth reporting
@@WBPTV I understand, but I was being positive when I made my suggestions. Motown is far too big for one video to cover. I was actually suggesting shorter videos where you can go into more detail. As for your assumptions about what I said about Marvin, the source for many of those stories is Marvin's official biographer, David Ritz. He was closer than anyone in Marvin's inner circle. You should give him a look. I hope you didn't take any of this as negative criticism. I was genuinely just making some suggestions. I lived through those days and I want to make sure that future generations get the full story. As a born again Christian I'm all about positivity. So keep it positive, keep it real and most importantly..... Keep the Faith!😎✌️
The part about artists choosing not to follow Berry to LA is incorrect, Barry moved to LA in secrecy only taking his family and most profitable acts... Only person that attempted to follow him to LA was one of the drummers from the motown in house band "the funk brothers" this drummer moved his family to LA and was promised a call for work from Barry... That man literally DIED waiting for a call that would never come. Oh you also butchered some names as well lol (its Martha and the Vandellas not Vandells & Tony, Toni, Tone is pronounced Tony/Tony/Tony ); Also in 1997, Polygram hired George Jackson (The film maker of movies like: Krush Groove, New Jack City, Jason's Lyric, Thin Line between love in hate, and more) as the President and CEO of Motown up until his death in 2000 (he was my uncle as well). Still Awesome work, and Ill be looking out for your next vids.
9:37 wth is Chris Clark ? Bruh u just kind of slid that one in lol. I didn't know Berry had Caucasian ppl who sang ? I wonder how she was perceived by American society working for/with Berry . Anywho bro this was a gem , I learned alot , always wondered what "Motown" was doing in the late late 50s right b4 the explosion of the 60s
I miss the great-old Motown music so bad that things will never be the same anymore. My biggest downfall about Motown is that many singers, some members of the Funk Brothers, and Lamont Dozier have died. Motown and other soul music are still my speed.
Motown’s roster of talent, both the singers, song writers and musicians, is unparalleled but the artists were pretty much exploited. When Berry sued the J5 for leaving, taking their name & all future earnings from their work as kids, he hit a new low.
Oh God no. He stripped the J5 of future royalties payments??!!! 😱 This man is a Demonic businessman! God will GET HIM for ALLLLL of his dirty dealings!
Yup
Big facts 😢
I agree!
True!
I was lucky to have been a teenager during the 60's. Those were the best years for music for myself.
Motown was much more than Superstars!!! Motown was an "entire industry"!!! Producers, Singers, Writers, Musicians, Choreographers, Costume designs, Etiquette Coaches, Transportation, Finance Dept, Managers, etc! Complete DoAS Industry💯! Amazing!!!
YES! Motown was also a genre of music
Well done, Mr. Man. As a seventy-three-year-old, who grew up as Motown came into being, and as one who has read some Motown artists' biographies, you taught me a lot about their history. Thank you. Again, well done, right up to 2022.
Martha and The Vandellas deserved more mention huge hitmakers! And the start of the sound of young America!With their first hit
Actually it was the Marvelettes who were first. They Motown their first crossover hit with Please Mr. Postman.
@@alexandradillard2077 I was talking about Martha Reeves and The Vandellas and yes know the Marvelettes well!
@@shawnbaldwin3589llove
R.I.P to James Jameson and Bob Babbitt and Benny Benjamin and all of the Other Funk Brothers who laid the foundation for r&b music. Had to scalp a ticket to see the work that they did THAT'S A DAMN SHAME Berry Gordy was wrong that one .
Moving to LA was critical to the downfall of Motown. Detroit and the Black world needed Motown.
I think so too, but they wanted to transition to movies. Imagine if they were based on Detroit and Atlanta.
Jimmy Ruffin was one of Motown's Iconic Solo Artists we all Know How Jimmy was Famous for Singing the Hit Song What Becomes of the Brokenhearted, I've Passed this way Before, Gonna Give you all the love I got, Don't you miss me a little bit baby, Farewell is a Lonely Sound, I'll say Forever my love, and It's Wonderful to be loved by you. Ruffin only had 7 Hits with Motown However Berry Gordy said that What Becomes of the Brokenhearted is his Personal favorite song. Around (1961) Jimmy Ruffin got Signed to Motown and his First two songs was Don't Feel Sorry for me, and Heart then suddenly Jimmy was called to serve in the Army and was stationed in Germany by (1964) Ruffin lefted the Army and went back to Motown he an Opportunity to join the Temptations after firing (Al Brant) But Jimmy Turned down the Offer cause he wanted to have a Solo Career However Jimmy's brother David wanted to Join the Temptations and he did as for Jimmy he continued his Solo Career However Jimmy said he was Hustling for new material then he had heard that the group The Spinners was gonna sing the Song What Becomes of the Brokenhearted but Ruffin thought he could do it better so he asked the guy who wrote the lyrics for the song James dean said that he could do it better and he gave him a chance and they loved the way how he sang the song that Song became such Huge Hit on the Billboard Hot 100 it was number 7# it also peak Number 6# on the Billboard R&B Singles, then it reached number 8# in the UK Chart. It was one of Motown's Greatest Hits of all time around (1966) However That Song Became a Hit again in (1974) Jimmy sang with Motown all the way till the 70's When he left Motown and went to Chess Records where he met Producer Jimmy Roach and Jimmy started Writing and Producing his own Soul Music until his next Big Hit in (1974) Jimmy had wrote the Hit Song Tell me what you want and it was Big in the UK Charts However hadn't had Another Hit for a few Years Until (1980) Singer Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees and Blue Weaver Wrote and Produced Jimmy's next Album Sunrise Which contains Ruffin's Come back Hit Song Hold on to my love the song Reached number 7# in the UK Charts same year then two years later Jimmy sang a Duet with Singer Maxine Nightingale the song was called Turn to me and that song Reached number 17# in the R&B Charts in (1983) then by (1984) Jimmy moved to the UK and Teamed up with Singer Paul Weller and they sang the song Soul Deep to help collect money for the UK Minors then Jimmy had sang another Duet with Singer Jackson Moore and they sang I'm gonna love you Forever. Then by (1985) Jimmy had sang another two Songs called There will never be another you and the Feat Backstabbers then by (1986) Jimmy had joined up with group called Heaven 17 they sang the Hit Song It's a Foolish thing to do and Feat of Luther Vandross Song My Sensitivity however It's a Foolish thing to do reached number 80# in the UK Singles then Jimmy sang alot of other Songs like That's when my Lovin' Begins, Don't stop keep on loving me girl, Falling in love with you, We finally found out, Leading lady, Take my hand, Wake me up when it over, It's easy just to say I love you, then he had sung another Duet with Singer Brenda Holloway they sang the Song on the Rebound. Jimmy sang a Duet with his brother David Ruffin too and he sang a Duet with Singer Marcy Levy and Dusty Springfield. By (1970) Jimmy Ruffin was Voted World's Top Singer in the British Polls doing the same year Jimmy's Songs It's Wonderful to be loved by you, Farewell is a Lonely Sound and I'll say Forever my love became Hits and reached Top 10 in the UK Charts. Around (1991) after his brother David died Jimmy had become an Anti Drug Advocate. Jimmy had lefted the UK and went to Las Vegas to be closer to his Family he performed in Vegas too then by (2014) Jimmy wanted to do one last Album so he sang all of his Hit Songs for the last time his last Album was called the Soul Sound of Jimmy Ruffin during that same year Jimmy was Gravely Ill and his family had sent him to Las Vegas hospital 🏥 and he said in intensive care for a few months then by November 18 Jimmy had Died and on Wednesday two of his children Philicia and Jimmy Ruffin Jr aka (Ray Ruffin) had reported their father's death to the news media they had a funeral for Jimmy and his family was sad and his daughter Philicia had said that Her father was a Rare type of man who lefted his mark on the music industry and as for Berry Gordy he said that Jimmy was a phenomenal singer. God Rest his Soul he was one the Greatest singers of all Time. It's been officially 8 years since Jimmy Ruffin's death. Ruffin's children Philicia, Jimmy Ruffin Jr, Jimmie Ray (deceased) Arlet, Ophelia and Camilla. Jimmy Ruffin's last song was called One in a million cause he was one in a million.
Another unsung artist at Motown.
Don’t y’all think it would have been good for berry Gordy to have paid for these artists funerals since they made him what he is today small change really my opinion
In my humble opinion, Motown needed a plan to continuously develop and look after the new talent.
WBPTV is the BEST!!!!🏆🏆🌠🌠
The Funk Brothers are the backbone of the Motown Organization most of these people are singers but Berry Gordy still didn't give them much credit and I can say this because I am a musician
The Funk Brothers and The Andantes were "The Motown Sound"period‼️
Who are the Andetes????
@@pausetapest.v8302 😆😂they were the backup singers for everybody! And rounded out sound to many musical artists. For $5 a song😳 they're background on Marvin Gaye'"ain't that peculiar ",The Four Tops "still water",Diana Ross and Supremes "Love Child ". Look them up on "Unsung" they made a show about their body of work.
Oh I sure will look them up
The reason why I said the funk brothers is because no one ever mention those guys and gals ever and without them the temptations and others would be singing acapella songs Realtalk 💯💯
The Temptations are the greatest of all the Motown universe. Stevie Wonder is a universe unto himself. And all of them had a place to congregate because of Berry Gordy's vision. Oh yeah Motown also was the record label for the first seven years of Michael Jackson's career. Almost mythical when you think about it.
Stevie Wonder was smart enough to leave the United States of America and move to Ghana.
@Nevin Reid A few months ago, I saw and read on TH-cam that Stevie Wonder left America, because the hatred, discrimination on all points, violence, and all other bad things happen frequently in these times, like never before. I thank you for tapping or typing to me.
The first second of the j five not just mike
But he still kept their copyrights. Mary WELLS FAMILY HAD TO TAKE CARE OF HER. BERRY GORDY DIDN'T EVEN HELP HER THROUGH HER CHEMO TREATMENTS FOR HER THROAT CANCER.
@@captainkeyboard1007 this is in some respect but let's be clear No Motown singers would nothing without the the funk brothers. Except for Steve he played his own music
I can't wait for this one!! 💯 💯
The Funk Brotners should have been showcased as a seperate talent, recording and touring as well as session musicians, if it was possible. No other group to this day can compare to the Funk Brothers rythmnical form. I salute The Best of the Best. Thank you!
It's an open secret that MOTOWN was a shady record label but we can't deny Motown produced timeless songs and legendary artists and revolutionized Music industry
It’s time for a 10 episode mini series on Motown !!!
Yes, you're right. I want to hear all the dirt, but you know what? Gordy is now in his 90s and there's no telling HOW much longer he'll live. But,.....when he dies, you will hear alll about the dirty, underhanded ways he dealt with people. I expect SOMEBODY to do a tell-all book or TELEVISED documentary.
@@DVPerry220 But his Running Buddy, SMOKEY WILL AWAYS BE HIS APOLOGIST.
@@freddy8479 Yes, Freddy ~ you're so right about THIS. Mr. Robinson will croak first HIMSELF before HE tells anything HE knows about how singers were dealt with. I recall reading an interview in an article Smokey did years ago. The interviewer said to Smokey: "You and Berry Gordy are the only ones who KNOW where all the bodies are buried..." Smokey replied: "Yes ~ that may be true...."
@@DVPerry220 AGREED!!!!!! 💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯
@@DVPerry220 wow ...
I grew up a 5 minute drive away from hitsville USA. The one house is still there in 2022.
Thank you for the update and you didn't drag the name down as some do. I believe that Barry Gordy is a shrew business man and some of his decisions were ruthless but basically he was creating and distributing music for us to remember forever. Yes
Marvin Gaye is my idol. Jr. Walker is my second favorite Motown Artist along with The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, The Marvellettes, and Shorty Long.
I really enjoyed this video. I came up during the time Motown was flourishing. Thanks for giving a shout out to my home girls from Inkster Michigan, the Marvelettes.
Yes.
This will be good!!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥
I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE WAS ORIGINALLY RECORDED BY GLADYS KNIGHT AND THE PIPS 1967.
Excellent video. Keep up the good work. 😊
Shoutout to my favorite female singer, Miss Saundra Mallet Edwards from The Elgins. RIP to this beautiful soul
Yeah berry was a genius but he did a lot of wrong things when it came to some of his artists.
Ima dive deep into Berrys story about his characteristics when I do his video stay tune
But why you say that.
Berry was the pre Diddy during his day, snake 🐍 to the people that helped him gain his fortune.
@@MrBarrywes because number one it's my opinion number two he treated everyone else very very cruel other than Diana and smokey and pushed them out of the spotlight especially the ones who gave motown their first big hits he got Diana to stardom why couldn't he do that for everyone else?
@@cantkeepmedown100 facts
I'll give credit when credit is due and without Berry Gordy and Motown, we wouldn't have amazing artists, some that I'm a huge fan of. But when I read about how he sued the Jacksons and didn't allow them to use Jackson 5 at Epic, that just angered me so much
Berry Gordy second wife raynoma Gordy was the one that found the house was the one that worked with him from the very beginning it's in her book no one gives her any credit for her Beginnings with Motown
Typical. Motown has been trying to write Raynoma out of their history for years.
I agree Miss Ray never got her dues,she was one of the biggest contributing of motown, she was the BRAINS of the company.
The Spinners, Debarge Family, Bobby Taylor and the Vancouvers, Bloodstone were screwed over by Berry Gordy.
I always have loved soul Motown music. The President's, Four Tops, Temptations, Marvin Gaye, and more. If these aren't Motown, well are to me and always will. Now "What becomes of the broken hearted❤️. Be This music here I'm not for because it gets better. The Golden Oldies!
Fantastic Video I really enjoyed watching it.
I totally enjoyed that that was a great job thanks for the Post
A label with my favorite artists
Thanks for the video!
Excellent video.
Asford & Simpson were also writers and producers for the Motown Label.
I am waiting on this video.
They were never the same after leaving Detroit
Post edit : having Jameson scalp tickets to Motown 25 is one of the lowest thing Motown ever did to one of its artists
Nice video on Motown Record Company.
Awesome video
🤔 Thanks A Great Video Good Job😳🥰🤣😆🥰👏👏😎
Berry Gordy is a genius but also a snake.🐍
I truly believe this!
Explain. Specifically.
@@detroitmusix4275 a genius in creativity/cultivating artists but in the same breath not pay them what they were worth! Bad contracts!..because most were kids and wanted to be famous over business side! Until they realized they were took it was too late!
Ex; of a bad contract..The Supremes 3%. That was 1% per person. And they were making the most money btwn 64'-69'🤷🏾♀️🤦🏽♀️
I remember Florence Ballard. He ripped her off. She could have the Supreme name big time if she was business savvy but then again she wanted out completely
@@RaiderRSupastar I'M FROM DETROIT. FLORENCE BALLARD IS THE PERSON WHO STARTED THE GROUP.IT WAS HER GROUP.DIANA ROSS JOINED THE GROUP AND DECIDED SHE WANTED TO BE THE LEAD SINGER. SHE STARTED SLEEPING WITH BARRY GORDY. HE THEN MADE DIANA ROSS THE POSITION OF LEAD SINGER EVEN THOUGH IT WAS FLORENCE GROUP. SHE WAS PUSHED OUT OF HER OWN GROUP. THIS IS WHEN FLORENCE DECIDED SHE'D HAD ENOUGH OF PLAYING SECOND FIDDLE TO DIANA ROSS. DIANA ROSS DID EVERYTHING SHE COULD TO GET RID OF FLORENCE AND SHE DID. THEY WERE ALL UNDERHANDED.🤔 Diana Ross slept Her Way to the top‼️ Her oldest daughter RHONDA IS BARRY GORDY'S DAUGHTER.AND IT DIDN'T STOP THERE.
Excellent research
Awesome Educational Video ' Thanks For Posting It.
The Miracles, Mary Wells & the Marvelettes put Motown on the map!
I LOVE this video!! They should make a MOTOWN TRILOGY!! I would go to the theater to watch ALL of them!!! Like they did with Lord of the rings and Harry Potter. I will be 37..12/28 but I LOVE MOTOWN!!💜🔥🤎🌹😇
Nobody came here to see Otis. We all came here for David Ruffin 😊
James Jamerson was the BOSS of the bass guitar for Motown.
I'll bet if the great SAM COOKE was living and thriving with his upcoming record and publishing company, SARS RECORDS in the late 60s and 70s, he would have given BG "BRAIN ANEURYSMS" mainly by adding Motown's disgruntled acts
(ie: Holland-Dozier-Holland, The Funk Brothers and Florence Ballard) to his label
When in Detroit....go visit the museum...it's fantastic. It's one of rock & rolls greatest mecca's. It's a must if you love music!
MR.GORDY REMAINS A GENUIS HERO ....I DIG HIS LIFETIME WORK. AT THE TIME HE CAME ALONG. HE ACCOMPLISHED A GREAT DEAL.....LOVE 💕 YOU MR.GORDY. MY HERO !!!
He still screwed over a lot of artists at MOTOWN RECORDS.
I like Berry Gordy as a person, but not everything he did. Otherwise, the singers and songwriters would have stayed with Motown, even though its main offices were in California.
BERRY GORDY STILL SCREW OVER MANY ARTISTS AT MOTOWN RECORDS. HE'S A RAT!!!!
Marvin Gaye is my favorite Motown Artist. Jr. Walker is in the top five of my favorite Motown Artists. No, second favorite Motown Artist.
Don't forget about Teena Marie and the Mary Jane Girls. ALSO High Inergy.
Thanks for mentioning how RICK JAMES kept Motown afloat for a minute. There will never be another Rick James.
Yes,The Legends.
Motown is the greatest label ever and my favorite. The other three are SOLAR, Casablanca and Philadelphia International. I love the Supremes,and the Jackson 5.
EMI/Capitol Sony/Columbia, Universal/MCA which owns MOTOWN RECORDS, and Time-Warner Bros & ATCO/Atlantic/Arista are way better than MOTOWN RECORDS.
@@williebowen2965 I think she meant [In terms of releases of black artists]...
I'm not really feelin "Casablanca" tho as opposed to like "Stax" or "Westbound". Only blk artists that really took-off with casablanca was Cameo,The Parliament/Funkadelic clan, Stephanie Mills, and Donna Summer
@@Al_Catraz1 Don't forget about Kiss was on Casablanca Records too
@@williebowen2965 Kiss wasn't an R&B group
@@imanonattorneyspokesperson Nat King Cole, had a great singing career with EMI/Capitol RECORDS, Johnny Mathis has a great singing career at Columbia/C.B.S./Sony RECORDS. They didn't need MOTOWN RECORDS for recognition.
❤ yes MOTOWN great 👍 👌 music 🎶 🎵 late 1950de and 1960te and the 1970ts big song 🎵 🎶 yes ❤ T. MOTOWN by by MOTOWN happy times 😅😅😅😅 yes happy times goodnight 😴 😘 😊 ✨️ ☺️ 💗 😴
I seriously don't get some people berry was genius but he mistreated a lot of his artists and ripped them off the only ones he didn't do that to was smokey Robinson Stevie wonder and Diana. He also pushed a lot of talent away because him and Motown were only focused on Diana.
The rise of hip hop is probably one of the reason
Berry Giddy & Clive Davis are part of the same cloth they have a Ear and Eye for talent But they also are cut throat and micro controlling management didnt allow alot of artist to fully blossom to their full abilities. And some Rebelled also
I really liked this video overall, but was a bit disappointed that there was no mention of Rare Earth!
It was said that Berry didn't
like younger artists like Stevie Wonder for example.
Its's actually insane how young he was at the peak of his powers. People are gonna make fun facts in 50 years about how Gordy lived for nearly 50 years after Motown's golden age, was still alive at the same time as a bunch of current 18 year old tik tokkers who will be tomorrow's legends, and still looked pretty young for a 90 year old.
Legends!
My girl was one of my great hits thanks to the temptations 😅
Michael Jackson said it @ the 1997 Rock& Roll Hall Of Frame induction with his brother The Jackson 5/Michael Jackson said Berry Gordy is a genius and a King👑 cause he change the landscape of music culture forever ♾️ 🧫 🎶🎵🙏🏿
Jaylene...TELL THE TRUTH AND SHAME THE DEVIL!!!
Did you mention Bye Bye Baby,by Mary Wells,and MyGuy.
Motown is the label 🏷 👌 🙌 😌 😎 😍.
Can't forget Tim miner.
Cousins~Levi Stubbs and Jackie Wilson
The label technically still has big artist signed now but the artist development part of it is long gone
All the money the artist made him in which 90% of are broke or died broke! He could easily disperse 1 years royalties among the living and the deceased one's families! Wouldn't even affect him financially!!! He was even sleeping with the artist he screwed! Even the song writers are broke!
Motown = superb polished professional music . Musicians that were easy on the eye. The soul brothers the sound of Motown were extremely underrated . It was a great era for African American music. The fantastic artists were too many to mention. The old saying was Motown = the suburbs . Stax = the projects. I’ve always wondered if Berry Gordy would have signed the big O, Otis Redding.
13:00 - Marvin got the best contract. His, included Gordy's niece
The Temptations is the number one and most imitated group in music.
They were also the first
Motown act to win a Grammy going on to win three more over the years.
The rise and fall of Death Row Records
That would be a good video
Can't wait for that.
Im 22 from Belgium and have grown up w the Motown Sound... Definitely have to go to Detroit next summer... any cool spot for a Motown lover ?
#MotownNow #CEO #JamesPaulRowland #Blessed
There were some important parts of the story that was left out but over all this was a good documentary
Motown the label is back. I know a few ppl in the industry who work for them now.
Mr Gordy was a business man not a priest.. If you sign a contract and think you deserve more attempt to get brought out or finish the contract and move on. If it were not for Mr Gordy we would not be having this discussion..
Thank You! The man, Berry Gordy, is a Genius!!!
I wish he had left motown in Detroit to find next great soul music
So y'all Gon sit there and act like I didn't write every song that came outta Motown.. really, is that what we're doing now? 😁🤫🤣
Motown would've been among the top right now if they didn't dropped Bruno Mars.
Eventually, every successful "independent" enterprise almost always sellouts or is taken over by "corporates"
He had no faith in Michael Jackson becoming an artist. He nurtured his talent but didn't think he would flourish. He let the Jacksons go on their own thinking they would just be an oldies act. That's like throwing away a fortune, which he did
What do u mean??
Michael had his first 4 SOLO albums on Motown.
Also, if MJ didn't hold a grudge against Berry Gordy, despite these things, then it's not a big deal.
@@Akumaten1 he didn’t let them write
@@1939lb
He didn't let alot of his artists write...
The temps, the supremes, etc. They didn't write either.
Berry had his own team of writers.
And I'm also sure he didn't want to let them write also because that's more royalties to them...
He didn’t let them have any creative control, even though they were writing songs since they got signed. They had a 2.7 royalty rate . Which sucked even for a new artist. He hosed them. Friendship didn’t pay the Jackson’s bills. They’d could’ve resigned but they knew they wouldn’t be compensated properly.
@@Akumaten1SOLO ALBUMS ????
berry gordy is a interesting person.
The rot started to set in ,when they left Hitsville Studio in Detroit .
They say Barry”Shorty” Gordy had ties to the Detroit Mob through the Giacolone Bros of Jimmy Hoffa fame..in his early days of Motown. That’s the scuttlebutt around Mi. Holland-Dozier-Holland,Norman Whitfield the song writers were genius.
And that was the downfall of Motiwn into "white mob hands"! And with the name, they could do "NOTHING" to continue the artform!
@@gabriellew.1164 They got a lot of music played on the radio. A lot of those young musicians wouldn’t know how to get a record made or played so they were a necessary evil.Jews and mob
@@fuzzybutkus8970 Bullsh!t...make a way out of no way like DoAS been doing!!!
Yup
Has nothing to do with an "incredible generation of music, genius writer, producer, businessman"!!! Those criminal gangsters couldn't build a music empire like Motown!
Gordy was great, but it seemed that EVERYONE had disputes over money with him.
@Nevin Reid Amen
🤗 The love of money💰is the Root Of All Evil.
@Nevin Reid no he wasn't flo downfall came when she got raped by someone she knew and she wasn't the same after that she got really depressed after the rape and started drinking coming to work late and being disorderly
THE MOTOWN ARTIST who didn't get their due royalties, who did die poor, were never taught about the financial stability of being an ARTIST! THEY were mostly TEENAGERS, straight from the projects! They just wanted to sing and perform! They weren't business savvy! Alot of them made good money, but did not invest it well! When FLORENCE left Motown, she had over a hundred thousands dollars cash, this is CIRCA 1960s! A brand new house in Detroit, 1960s, one could purchase for 5-k! So for $30k, you could purchase 5-houses, if you understood business! Yes, it's a shame how all those talented soul singers were treated, but no situation is sane or perfect! GOOD AND BAD PEOPLE working together is what created AMERICA!
Whoever posted this, I appreciate your efforts, but doing the story of Motown in one post is next to impossible.
I grew up in those days and we knew all the stories about backroom dealings at Motown; it was practically common knowledge in the Black community.
You have a treasure trove of stories to dig through. If I may suggest, let this video be sort of summary of the Motown story and focus more on the individuals and how they interact and intertwine with each other. You may have at least a dozen potential videos out of it. Just a thought. 😎✌️
All of my videos are very positive and this was a positive look at Motown longer videos are cool but it’s not attention grabbers I also don’t like reporting rumors or he say she say things if I can’t prove it then it’s not worth reporting
@@WBPTV I understand, but I was being positive when I made my suggestions. Motown is far too big for one video to cover. I was actually suggesting shorter videos where you can go into more detail.
As for your assumptions about what I said about Marvin, the source for many of those stories is Marvin's official biographer, David Ritz. He was closer than anyone in Marvin's inner circle. You should give him a look.
I hope you didn't take any of this as negative criticism. I was genuinely just making some suggestions. I lived through those days and I want to make sure that future generations get the full story.
As a born again Christian I'm all about positivity. So keep it positive, keep it real and most importantly.....
Keep the Faith!😎✌️
Mary Wells
Five minutes to the ending almost feels like Game of Thrones executives, outdo each other
motown is STILL selling its music..even vinyl!!
despite this report..
They aren't selling that much vinyls as Capitol, Columbia and Atlantic.
Can you do story on Louis jordin
The part about artists choosing not to follow Berry to LA is incorrect, Barry moved to LA in secrecy only taking his family and most profitable acts... Only person that attempted to follow him to LA was one of the drummers from the motown in house band "the funk brothers" this drummer moved his family to LA and was promised a call for work from Barry... That man literally DIED waiting for a call that would never come. Oh you also butchered some names as well lol (its Martha and the Vandellas not Vandells & Tony, Toni, Tone is pronounced Tony/Tony/Tony ); Also in 1997, Polygram hired George Jackson (The film maker of movies like: Krush Groove, New Jack City, Jason's Lyric, Thin Line between love in hate, and more) as the President and CEO of Motown up until his death in 2000 (he was my uncle as well). Still Awesome work, and Ill be looking out for your next vids.
Sad ending to a once, Black music mega house!
9:37 wth is Chris Clark ? Bruh u just kind of slid that one in lol. I didn't know Berry had Caucasian ppl who sang ? I wonder how she was perceived by American society working for/with Berry .
Anywho bro this was a gem , I learned alot , always wondered what "Motown" was doing in the late late 50s right b4 the explosion of the 60s
6:41 aspa-what?!