Motown Records: The Hit Factory That Changed Music Forever

Few record labels have left their stamp on the industry quite like Motown.

This assembly line churned out hit song after hit song in the ‘60s and early ‘70s. With a who’s-who roster — Marin Gaye, The Jackson 5, Diana Ross, and Stevie Wonder, among others — The Hitsville U.S.A. sign Gordy Berry put on Motown’s front door became warranted.

This episode is the story of Motown Records — its formula for success, what led to its decline, and where it stands today under Universal. I’m joined by friend of the pod, Zack O’Malley Greenburg. Here’s what we covered in this episode:

1:16 Berry Gordy’s origin story
7:45 Motown museum in Detroit
9:05 Cultivating a culture of creativity
12:28 Shifting the sound of Black music
18:21 Motown’s knack for discovering talent
22:26 The beginning of the decline
34:04 80’s decade of transition
37:38 Post-Gordy struggles
49:54 Motown’s uncertainty today
51:46 Best signing?
53:06 Best business move?
56:35 Dark horse move?
59:48 Biggest missed opportunity?
1:05:08 Motown big-screen picture
1:07:11 Berry Gordy won big
1:08:30 Who lost the most?
1:12:46 Zack’s Jay Z index

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