Detroit Dispatch: Motown in Motion

Motown. Barry Gordy. Diana Ross. The Four Tops. The Temptations. Marvin Gaye. James Jamerson. Tami Terrell. Stevie Wonder. The Jackson 5. Detroit artistry never fails to make me breathless — and it’s all wrapped up in Motown — the definitive sound of the Motor City.

From the vantage point of a front row seat, I watched and listened the Detroit Free Press pay homage to it’s native soundtrack at the wrap party for Motown at 50. In an ambitious effort to explore the culture of Motown, a team of Free Press staffers produced 50 videos, investigating the ins and outs of Motown’s legacy. They dove into the vault combing through original masters, they toured the caverns of the Gordy mansion in the Boston-Edison section of Detroit and they gathered hours of footage interviewing dozens of the artists, producers, engineers and employees that made Motown the iconic record label and sound of an era. The newspaper staff screened 10 of their favorites out of the 50 for a discerning audience of about 100 at the Boll Family YMCA, including Duke Fakir of the Four Tops, Dennis Coffey and Kim Weston. The mood was intimate, magnified by heartfelt moments, like when James Jamerson’s daughter Penny thanked the editors and producers for their efforts to preserve her father’s memory.

Fifty years later those who’ve been there the whole time are nearing their twilight years, and at this crux in history, it’s worth noting that to witness their reactions was news in itself. Where will some of them be at year 60? Nothing’s promised, but this surely comes at a time when many are alive, vibrant and vivacious — sage in mind and outlook. While the master tapes exist as documentation in a dusty vault removed from the community they were created in, the charisma, humor and devotion these individuals exhibit in person is something to behold. They are Detroit treasures who recognize the enormity of their contribution, but remain low key and reflective. With each shot of archival footage or offhand quoted quip, they giggled, murmured under their breath and clapped along with the sound they cultivated.

It’s quite remarkable to be a small part of this series that provoked such an out pour of appreciation and emotion from the subjects. I asked a few movers and shakers for their perspective on Motown including favorite songs, artists, and the overall impact of a musical movement on a generation.

Here’s a sample from one respondent:
MIKE BANKS: Musician and leader of Detroit techno collective Underground Resistance

Motown is what Joe Louis was to boxing, what Jesse Owens was for track and field, what Obama is for all of us – it was the dream realized.

Motown is a story of joy and pain, but certainly a blueprint for Detroit techno. Of what can be done with nothing but hope, hard work and brains. We never doubted we could change the world because of Motown.

It’s a great question — with so many responses on so many level — What does Motown mean to you?

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Tagged as: Dennis Coffey, Detroit Free Press, Diana Ross, James Jamerson, Kim Weston, Marvin Gaye, Motown Records