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Life IS history in the making. Every word we say, everything we do becomes history the moment it is said or done. Life void of memories leaves nothing but emptiness. For those who might consider history boring, think again: It is who we are, what we do and why we are here. We are certainly individuals in our thoughts and deeds but we all germinated from seeds planted long, long ago.

Friday, May 16, 2014

From Tamla to Motown...

Today in Music History: May 16, 1964

Go back first to the year 1959 when Berry Gordy started Tamla Records.  A string of hit records were the result of a record company being run out of a house purchased in Detroit, MI. Here are a few you might remember:


 http://www.allmusic.com/artist/barrett-strong-mn0000117001/biography



http://www.allmusic.com/artist/smokey-robinson-the-miracles-mn0000035021/biography

"Shop Around" by The Miracles (1960) and 


http://www.billboard.com/artist/418595/marvelettes/biography
 

That was only the beginning. Venture into the Spirit of the 60s Music. In 1962, Berry Gordy offered Mary Wells, an aspiring young singer, a recording contract. However, there was a catch: Gordy was interested in making a record with Wells but not under the Tamla label. His aspirations at this point leaned toward a brand new label that had no identity or reputation in the marketplace: Motown Records. Sound familiar? 

Wells was not really in a position to argue so she signed on as the fledgling label's very first artist. Two two years later, Mary Wells gave Motown its first #1 hit when "My Guy" reached the top of the Billboard pop chart on May 16, 1964.


http://www.allmusic.com/artist/mary-wells-mn0000384675/biography 

Mary Wells, who gave Motown its first #1 hit on this day in 1964, 
died of throat cancer at the age of 49 on July 26, 1992.


And the music goes on beating to the rhythm of the changing times...

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