Mayor Cavanaugh presented Berry Gordy Jr. with an award. Motown expected to gross $12 million in 1965. In 1964, Motown sold 750,000 albums and 12 million singles records--outsold only by Capitol Records and The Beatles
Esther Edwards is the VP in charge of talent at MRC. She's Berry Gordy's sister: "Berry has always been a creative, 'I'd-rather-do-it-myself' type and he wanted me on hand as his business partner. Before MRC, she was a chairmain of of the Recorder's Court Jury Commission, a bookkeeper, and Berry's assistant. She eventually moved to MRC full-time. She attended Howard and Wayne State University. She's responsible for booking and merchandising for Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, and the internal organization of MRC.
Article about how Berry Gordy developed the Motown organization with biographies about Motown Artists. The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Four Tops, Martha and the Vandellas, and The Temptations are featured in this article.
Once Beatles expressed interest in Motown, Britain/ Europe became more interested in the Motown sound. Berry Gordy Quote:"We are very honored the Beatles should have said what they did. They're creating the same type of music as we are. And we're part of the same stream." Miracles, Marvelettes, Temptations, Contours, Martha + the Vandellas part of "touring" package in Britain.
Article about the 54th Signal Battalion asking Motown to send the soldiers records because of lack of entertainment. Motown sends a stack of records released within the last 18 months of the wire date.
Smokey Robinson is also a VP and songwriter at Motown Records. Attributes success to Berry Gordy: "He's such a dynamic individual...He's like a martyr, someone you can look up to...He's the nucleus of the entire company." On MRC: "The company is owned and operated by young people...There is more than just a business relationship. It's a family relationship."
Info on Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Eddie Holland (Holland-Dozier-Holland). Wrote and produced redcording sessions. Title of "Hit Makers". Berry Gordy brought in Brian and Lamont to Motown; Eddie later brought on as lyricist. First song together: "Come and Get These Memories" (Martha and the Vandellas). Brian = production; Eddie = lyrics; Lamont = music. Eddie uses "the feminine approach"(watches soap operas and reads romantic magazines for inspiration). Constantly write to "remain topical" and "current" in present day.
