Motown 50th (The "lighter" side of Hitsville)

[SuperLtrain1]

Never knew The Valadiers were Caucasian!!

[thruthealcove]

@SuperLtrain1 Yeah, I was surprised when I found out too!

[rwswope]

Where is Paul Peterson, Jeff from the Donna Reed Show? He recorded for Motown in the mid sixties after the TV show was cancelled.

[thruthealcove]

@rwswope I wanted to use one of his songs, but at the time of making this video, we only got 11 minutes, so he & a few others had to be left out. Now the time limit for videos is 15, too late for this vid, but you read my mind.

[blackkatdiva23]

@thruthealcove I'm scared, I only know of a few like, Debbie Dean-Franky Valli, Chris Clark- Bobby Daren-Meat Loft - Charlene, have 2 LP's by her, and Kenny Lupper was backed by High Inergy, who knew. Was all this only release to the East Coast, cause I'm in Cailf and this is a 1st for me, and I thought I knew Motown pretty well, guess not.

Why wasn't there more of a push for them ? And does anybody know that The Emotion's and The Pointer Sister's recorded for motown ? Thanks again......Ava

[thruthealcove]

@blackkatdiva23 No, these were all nationally released, but there was no push for them, except for that Stoney & Meatloaf track, Finis Henderson & some Chris Clark stuff. And I think only the hardcore Motown fans know & care that The Emotions & The Pointer Sisters had albums on Motown, by the time those were released, all the Motown fans didn't bother cuz the familiar sound was gone. You got 4 more Motown vids to go!!! LOL

[cirellaw]

@blackkatdiva23 What about Soupy Sales?

[thruthealcove]

@cirellaw LOL

[fannycraddock99]

Once again I never ever thought I'd find any of these songs on here. Great work. I've posted links to your Motown videos on my Yahoo group Motown Treasures.

[thruthealcove]

Oh wow, thanks so much for that, and for enjoying these!!!

[Chicago10281]

Boy, you really are a Motown fan! I like that in you, man!

[thruthealcove]

Thanks dude, I think everyone should be Motown fans!!! LOL

[Blacksky17]

To tell you the truth I've only liked maybe one song. And that was the asain lady. The rest of them were not good in terms of the artist. No passion and no soul. In case of Melodie by Bob Darlin which was recorded that same year (I think ) by Michael Jackson which was a whole lot better beat better singing etc. To me they just wouldn't that good.

[thruthealcove]

Okay, that's cool. Like I said in the vid, these are songs that I like & just wanted to share & also show a very different side of Motown. I actually felt some passion in these songs, and these weren't soulful singers, they did pop & that Lite FM type of music. Thanks for checking this out!!!

[Gerri000]

TRUE THAT ! Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons were with Motown and so was a very rare artist named Tommy Good. If you can find anything on Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons and Tommy Good , I would be most impressed. Thank you for sharing and God bless.

[thruthealcove]

Well, you gotta watch the whole video, Frankie Valli is the last song on here. And if you watch my other Motown video, "The oddball & rarties", you'll be impressed there too!!!

[chrstianmom]

i cant believe meatloaf recorded for motown wow i guess you learn somthing new everday : )

[thruthealcove]

Believe it!!! LOL I was shocked too when I found out, the I heard some of the songs & said they better had signed him!!! LOL

[nine110]

Your musical knowledge is blazing man. Meatloaf? That's like Wo! Appreciate what you do guy. Keep it coming.

[thruthealcove]

Imagine my surprise when I realized it was THAT Meat Loaf on Motown that did Bat Out Of Hell!!! LOL Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed this!!!

[coolasschick]

Wow thank you for this, I acuatlly saw Finis in concert when i was little! I had forgotten all about him, WOW

[thruthealcove]

Oh wow, you saw him live? I hear he puts on quite a great show nowadays!!! Glad you enjoyed the vid sis!!!

[EASings]

How dare you salvage what you thing is good! I want to hear the bloopers of Hitsville...LMAO!

WOW @ this! YESSSSSS!!! Lovin it!

-Meatloaf got better as he got older!

-Dude @ 4:33 in the shirt in tie...Is he a trans-man?

-Charlene looks like Celine on there! She can sing!

-Feeling Tony too!

-All right Finis Debarge...lol!

-John Legend is the darker side of Martin & Finley!

-Robin Thicke is Martin Quatro!

AMAZING VID!!! So true and it did happen!

[thruthealcove]

OMG no he's not a trans dude!!! LMAO Great comparisons & everybody seems to love that song by Tony, I'ma have to use that for background music on a future vid!!! Glad you enjoyed this Eron!!!

[jankins24]

OK, either when I make it up to NYC, or you to DC, I am going to need a cd! (Hope I don't start a trend! LOL) I mean, I love my oldies, especially Motown, but your musical knowledge is WORTHY!

Another good post, man!

[thruthealcove]

LOL such a mess, we'll be back to DC next year, I believe cause we had such a great time!!! But you should make your way up here anyway!!! LOL Thanks & I'm glad you enjoyed the vid dude!!!

[AmareNeo]

Chile, you spinned me around, spinned me around... I THINK IM FALLIN out of gagging... #1 The boons, Puzzle, Reuben Howell, Tony Travalini, and Finis (with that hair do) WORE ME OUT!!! They gave me what I want... Meatloaf over the top queen ass... CH....*beeeeeep*

[thruthealcove]

LMAO Dre you are such a mess dude, OMG!!! I'll take that as you enjoyed the video!!! LOL

[seand67]

Alright 'professor', keep sharing the knowledge...Great video Kev!! I almost forgot that Pat Boone was on Motown...;~)

[thruthealcove]

That's right Sean, a lot of people really underestimated Motown with the people that was signed to the label. The list is amazing when you read who was there, it's CRAZY!!! LOL Glad you enjoyed this dude!!!

[thruthealcove]

Thanks Telle, I live & breathe this stuff!!! LOL And OMG, dude you don't know how much I've always wanted to be a contestant on Name That Tune!!!They would have to kick me off the show cause I'll keep winning every week!!! LOL But yeah, I did the same thing to my mother when I was a kid with the white music thinking it was black singers!!! Thanks so much dude!!!

[deltadiva4life]

Are you saying these white people were Motown artists? Dang, I never knew this. I've never been to Hitsville and it's literally in my backyard. These songs sound good but Skip to my Lou, now that takes me back to grade school! ;-)

[thruthealcove]

Yup, they were all signed to the label at one time!!! Detroit is a place I must visit before I die!!! LOL And OMG "Skip To My Lou" was everything when I was a kid, I always loved that song!!!

[deltadiva4life]

Come on over this way! Its not as bad here as everyone thinks. When you get here let me know. We must meet for drinks/dinner downtown!

[thruthealcove]

Hey, are you in Detroit? That's one of the places I wanna visit soon!!!

[deltadiva4life]

Yup! Born and bred. When you make concrete plans, let me know. Would love to meet for drinks and laughs!

[thruthealcove]

Will do!!!

[anotharemix]

I am NOT mad at these artists! YES, Chris Clark! And the kee kee is..If these songs would just play on the radio, I'd have no damn clue they where caucasian (might just be me). They betta DO IT! I'm gonna need "Lady" by Puzzle on a playlist somewhere And Miss Charlene Duncan, MY DEAR SIR...I need her in my life, as well cause that voice!... U served me my life in a saucer from the good china cabinet on this one, Quad. And I'm done here.

[thruthealcove]

So I take it that you got life Quad? LMAO

[anotharemix]

FULLY!

[MzTJones80]

Hey bro!

I'm familiar with The Boones.

Suzee Ikeda: Is that Michael Jackson or Foster Sylvers standing in front of her at 7:44??

Or is it neither? LOL

I had fun with this. Lots I didn't know.....okay, I'm lying, I didn't know any of them. LMAO! But thanks anyway! As always, I enjoyed this! Thanks!

[thruthealcove]

Hey sis!!! Yes that's Micheal in that pic. I'm so glad you enjoyed this vid, it was so much fun to make!!! And what you know about them Boones??? LOL

[MzTJones80]

Oh, you DOUBT me? LOL

I'm familiar with his daughter Debbie Boone. She had that one song I liked back in the late 70's...."You Light Up My Life."

There....deal wit' it! LMAO!

[thruthealcove]

Hmmmm, that's just ONE daughter, how about the rest??? LMAO

[popkats]

Educate my friend Educate!!!!!! I would go on but I wonnt. But I did not know that Frankie Vallie was on Motown. See EDUCATE  ( Knowledge is Power )

A+++++ Video Kev.

[thruthealcove]

LOL thanks Dave!!! He actually recorded a whole album there, it's not bad but not one of my faves. The song I used by him is HOT tho!!!

[AS7607]

Wow, now I know Berry Gordy definitely had eyes & ears for talent after seeing this.

[thruthealcove]

He really did, but when most of these artists signed to the label, Berry was too busy with Hollywood, movies & making Diana Ross a huge star, so most of these people were signed by other "higher ups" in the company!!!

[AS7607]

In that photo of Suzee Ikeda, was that Michael Jackson standing to her left?

[thruthealcove]

Yup, that's him & Motown producer Hal Davis.

[jeremiah0387]

this was interesting for a young person like myself..thanks for the Music History lesson family

[thruthealcove]

Anytime sis, glad you enjoyed this!!!

[nonpareil313]

but why i would blast "Again" in my ride man?!! lol good vid Kev-u deserve a key to our city man!!!

[thruthealcove]

OMG dude, that song is on FIYAH!!! LMAO It should have been a hit period!!! I would love a key to Detroit man, that would be CRAZY!!! LOL

[GeorgiaGirl678]

WOW, I know this may seem crazy and ignorant on my part but I never knew Motown had white recording artists, I always thought the label was completely black artists. This was another eye opener video and I enjoyed it!!

[thruthealcove]

I'm so glad you enjoyed this, you're one of the reasons why I do videos like this one!!!

[adiosmotherfker]

Who you callin' baby!? LOL! And yes, I did enjoy it! I recently gave a listen to Michael McDonald's two recent Motown cover albums. I grew up listening to his voice. And I think his revival did the songs justice.

[thruthealcove]

I'm calling my BOO baby, thank you!!! LMAO I love Micheal's voice & his music, it's so distinctive. His two Motown cover albums are pretty good, but you know I prefer the originals!!! I'm glad you enjoyed it!!!

[powderpink]

gimme a date

[thruthealcove]

OMG I'll send you a PM!!! LMAO Ain't got nothing to do with Motown!!! LOL

[dolphinkillerwhale]

Great and informative vid! Luv it! I really luv that you are getting this info. out to the masses!!! P.S. What the heck is up with that lady riding a DONKEY? Hilarious!!! :0) She needed a better marketing rep. for sure!!! Ha!!!

[thruthealcove]

Glad you liked it!!! And that album was marketed to be so far away from the Motown "thing", that they had Chris Clark sit atop of a donkey because non of the Motown album covers looked like that & never did after it!!! LOL The album itself is great blue-eyed soul & pop music!!! Thanks so much for watching this, it was fun to make!!!

[ladyrealist4real]

omg....another great video bro...and who really surprised me was meatloaf...gonna have to share this vid with my aunt...lol...much luv bro and keep those vids coming!!!!!

[thruthealcove]

Is your aunt a Meatloaf fan? He is so over-the-top, but I love that about him!!! I'm so glad you're feeling this vid sis, thanks so much!!!

[belovedwoman23]

wow I had not one clue that motown was sooo very..DIVERSE!!! the asian american woman named Suzee...now I definitely didnt see that one coming at all..lol....it's always great to learn something new...

[thruthealcove]

Now you see why I love Motown so much, it was so diverse & never stayed in one box!!! Doesn't that song by Suzee sound like something that Brittany Spears or Mandy Moore would have done? LOL It's a really nice song thogh, glad you liked the video!!!

[grlblu73]

I heard of Debbie Dean, that she as one of the first white artists signed on to the label, but I heard that she was part of the songwriting staff. I never knew of any recording artist on the label prior to Teena Marie. Meatloaf??? For REAL????

[thruthealcove]

Debbie actually had quite a few songs while at Motown. I put the A side of that song on my 60's vid, please check that one out!!! Like you, I gagged when I found out that Meatloaf recorded there, I was like WHAAAAAAAT??? LOL It's a great song & the album it came from ain't bad either.

[grlblu73]

It definitely makes for great trivia, I can say that much :)

[thruthealcove]

Yes, this is true!!!

[metal78]

motown had its up and downs to me, but personally, it put alot of ppl on the map that we look to for inspiration today

[thruthealcove]

It sure did, that's what made the label so great!!!

[bullabelly]

*side eye&* OOOOKKKKayyyyy.

Charlene Duncan, is she the one that sang "Never Been To Me"?

The Boones........ * for real, for real*

OMG

[thruthealcove]

Okay bulla, YOU BETTA KNOW WHO CHARLENE IS DUDE!!!! LMAO Yes that's her, and Pat Boone did some Country music for Motown while his kids were doing the pop stuff there, get into THAT!!! LOL

[taybae107]

i love yur videos!

[thruthealcove]

Thanks so much!!!

[Chicago10281]

You can really pick some Motown gems! These white Motown artists sound real good! Now you know why Motown was "The Sound Of Young America"!

[thruthealcove]

Hey dude, I try!!! LOL These are some great songs, and I have so much more, but you know you tube only allows a certain amount of time. Oh well, glad you liked it!!!

[Danavideofun]

WOW, I never knew. Thanks for sharing this!!!

[thruthealcove]

Neither did I until I got a little older & got more deeper into Motown music & came up with these!!! Glad you enjoyed this!!!

[Backatwon]

K- That was interesting ......thanks for doing that research .........talk about obscure .....you should write a book :-)....the history seen through your eyes would be a totally different one from others!!.........much respect !

[thruthealcove]

LOL you think so? That would be one crazy book if I did write one about that!!! LOL So glad you enjoyed this vid dude!!!

[nickfreshalive]

and what about Carrie McDowell, Coyote Sisters and Sam Harris?

[thruthealcove]

Honestly, I don't like them!!! LOL I almost did a track by Sam, but people do know him.

[Pixie42743]

great vid. meatloaf was a surprise. thanks :D

[thruthealcove]

Oh yeah Pix, a lot of people never knew he did an album at Motown with that girl Stoney. It's not bad, but the song here ROCKS!!! Glad you liked it dude!!!

[sfcalvinaz]

Hey my favorite nephew! This was awesome to wake-up to! Thanks Kev! This is "edutainment": you always educate and you always entertain!! Excellent research! Thanks so much for taking the time!

~Calvin~

[thruthealcove]

Hey my favorite uncle!!! LOL I know you love my music vids & I had you in mind when I made this one, so I'm glad you enjoyed & learned something!!! Be good Cal!!!

[aajunior]

"Stay My Love". Was that re-made? I think I have heard it before.

"What you see is what you get", I have heard. didn't know that was Motown. LOL

"Skip to my Lou" I haven't heard that in ages.

Good stuff as always. Keep up the good work.

[thruthealcove]

Dave, I think that song sounds familiar because it has that typical "Motown sound" from the 60's & lots of the artists had songs that sounded like that one. That Meatloaf song was a bit of a hit on the R&B charts, so that may be why you know it, & Finis, I used to sing that song around the house as a kid & I still do!!! LOL Love that song. Thanks dude!!!

[RedSatin69]

I remember that Finis guy or at least that album cover seems VERY familiar. Thank you very much. This was very nice. I liked all of them. It was just nice to see different artists and hearing their different styles. It's just a shame record companies are now just giant corporations which have sapped the life out of music. It's no longer fun, exciting, etc. I won't say less talent but there's no spark in the talent, something seems to be missing. Like they are afraid.

[thruthealcove]

You are so right, it's always been about money, but today, if you're not bringing in any revenue, you're out, & I think that's why all the REAL talented artists go the independent route, which is waaaaaaaay better to me!!! There's still some music with life in it today, but you have to search long & hard for it, which is the sad part!!!

[travis650d]

i may sounds a little slow(mentally)..lol..is there a "motown" sound? because all of those songs sound similar. and the music reminds me of other more popular motown artist. did barry gordy have some kind of "recipe" for music. or maybe he always used the same producers? he couldn't have had time to produce everybody himself and run his business at the same time? i know you usually showcase the more obscure artist but, you forgot teena marie..thank you for the education. ive got alot to learn

[thruthealcove]

Oh yes there was a "Motown Sound", but it was all in the 60's, what's called it's "glory days", when all the top artists had all the big hits!!! Berry didn't do any of the producing as the 60's went by because there was so many others doing it that all he had to do was just run the label. By the 70's Motown lost it's signature sound when Berry moved the label to LA & left the house band back in Detroit.

[thruthealcove]

And you know I didn't forget Teena, she just has no place on a video of mine like this, waaaaaaay to big of a star for my Motown vids!!! LOL But I love her!!!

[CjKaiTv]

Great vid babe!

[thruthealcove]

Thanks so much lil bro!!!

[LUXURY713]

loving it

[thruthealcove]

Really? I'm glad dude, thanks!!!