Who founded motown records

Motown

Record label originally based in Detroit, Michigan

This article is about the record label. For the city known by that name, see Detroit. For other uses, see Motown (disambiguation).

"Tamla" redirects here. For people named Tamla, see Tamla (given name).

Record label

Motown is an American record label owned by the Universal Music Group. Founded by Berry Gordy Jr. as Tamla Records on January 12, 1959,[2][3] it was incorporated as Motown Record Corporation on April 14, 1960.[4] Its name, a portmanteau of motor and town, has become a nickname for Detroit, where the label was originally headquartered.

Motown played a vital role in the racial integration of popular music as an African American-owned label that achieved crossover success with white audiences. In the 1960s, Motown and its main subsidiary labels (including Gordy, Soul) were the most prominent exponents of what became known as the Motown sound, a style of soul music with a mainstream pop-influenced sound and appeal. Motown was the most successful soul music label, with a n

Encyclopedia Of Detroit

With an $800 loan from his family, Berry Gordy, Jr. founded Tamla Records on January 12, 1959, adding the Motown label later that year. Gordy’s first successful act was signed as The Matadors, but their name was quickly changed to The Miracles. Also in 1959, Gordy purchased the property on Detroit’s Grand Boulevard that would eventually become known as “Hitsville U.S.A.” – Motown’s headquarters. A photography studio near the back of one of the buildings on the property was converted to a recording studio, while administrative offices were set up in other buildings. In 1960, Gordy officially incorporated Motown Records and Tamla under the Motown Record Corporation name.

The music label enjoyed quick success with its release of “Money (That’s What I Want)” by Barrett Strong, its first hit. “Shop Around” by The Miracles, released in 1960, was Motown’s first record that sold more than one million copies. From 1961 to 1971, Motown Record Corporation produced 110 top ten hits, from artists that included Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, The Marvelettes, Marvin Gaye,

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