by Kevin Burton In my alternate Motown universe there is a lot more Martha Reeves and a lot less Diana Ross. There is also at least a little more Mary Wells. It’s Wells we focus on today. Sixty years ago, Wells’ “My Guy” became the first Motown record to hit number one on …
Tag Archives: Smokey Robinson
Last Of The Original Temptations Looks Back
by Nick Krewen Special to the Toronto Star Sixty-three years on, Otis Williams is still at the helm of one of the greatest Motown acts of all-time, the Temptations. Not only does the tenor and baritone vocalist continue to tour with the group into its seventh decade as its only original member, but …
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Motown’s Move To LA Stifled The Magic
by Kevin Burton There is more than a little irony in the 1971 Jackson 5 song “Going Back To Indiana.” That makes for an easy choice to make Indiana a destination for our summer rock and roll road trip, Coast to Coast. For Coast to Coast we are talking rock and roll history, …
Smokey Robinson, The Heart Of Motown
by Kevin Burton I have always said there is no substitute for Smokey. When you want that sound, it just can’t be found anywhere else. Beyond that, if you love Motown, you need to understand how crucial Smokey Robinson was to the company’s success. even to the launch of it. This is my 10th album …