Motown
How Thom Bell Created a Sound for a City, a Record Label, and for Generations of Fans
50 years ago, the sound of Philly Soul was born out of the legendary Philadelphia International Records. With the talents of The O’Jays, Patti LaBelle, Teddy Pendergrass, The Three Degrees, McFadden & Whitehead, and others, the label rewrote the standards of soul music. In light of Bell’s passing on December 22nd, 2022, his 2021 interview with Marcus Shorter. For some households, a Sunday morning consists of certain sounds. The sizzle from a couple strips of bacon cooked just right. That crack an egg makes before it gets scrambled or goes over sunny-side. And, of course, a tune by The Stylistics echoing in every room. Or The Delfonics. Or The Spinners. What defined these songs, besides the incredible performances, was the production courtesy of singer, songwriter, arranger, and record ...
What Happens to Motown Next?
When Motown Records chairwoman and CEO Ethiopia Habtemariam announced on Tuesday she would be stepping down to “pursue new endeavors,” the news was met with surprise, concern and the one inevitable question: What’s next for the storied label founded by Berry Gordy? “Nobody saw this coming,” says one veteran label executive of the stunning announcement, stemming from the fact that Habtemariam was promoted to the chairwoman/CEO post in March 2021, only 20 months ago. Her groundbreaking appointment as the third woman — and only the second one of color — ever to hold that title at a major label was concurrent with other major news: Motown was being re-established as a standalone label after first being under the Island Def Jam umbrella and most recently under the Capitol Music Group banner. Du...
Miles Kane on Motown, Writing with Lana Del Rey, and The Jaded Hearts Club
Listen via Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Pocket Casts | Radio Public | RSS Miles Kane gives Kyle Meredith a call to talk about Change the Show, his new solo album that finds the British artist leaning into his love for Motown. The co-frontman of The Last Shadow Puppets tells us about his duet with Corinne Bailey Rae, writing about age, where his love of boxing intersects with music, and his new clothing line. Kane also dishes about co-writing with Lana Del Rey, getting advice from Paul Weller, the future of The Jaded Hearts Club, and playing some of The Last Shadow Puppets’ songs on his upcoming UK and EU tour (tickets for which can be found here). Advertisement Related Video Listen to Miles Kane dis...
Motown Founder Berry Gordy, Bette Midler and Joni Mitchell Receive Kennedy Center Honors
Music was in the air, the sitting President was back in the balcony and the Kennedy Center Honors were once again a lavish in-person affair at the opera house complete with proof of vaccinations, negative PCRs and masks for all in attendance Sunday night. Motown visionary Berry Gordy, Bette Midler, Joni Mitchell, renowned bass/baritone singer Justino Diaz and Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels were celebrated at the 44th incarnation of the event honoring lifetime artistic achievement. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news To mark the celebrations, Stevie Wonder gave a mini concert of Motown hits including “You Are the Sunshine of My Life,” “Superstition” and a custom “I Just Called To Say I Love You.” Brandi Carlile delivered a mesmerizing ve...
R.I.P. Mary Wilson, Founding Member of The Supremes Dead at 76
Mary Wilson, founding member of the trailblazing Motown group The Supremes, has died at the age of 76. According to her publicist, Wilson passed away suddenly on Monday evening (February 8th) at her home in Henderson, Nevada. A cause of death was not immediately disclosed. In 1959, Wilson auditioned and was accepted into a singing group called The Primettes, pairing with three other then-unknown vocalists: Florence Ballard, Diana Ross, and Betty McGlown. By 1962, the group had downsized to a trio (McGlown left to get married), signed with Motown Records, and changed their name to The Supremes. Within a year, they scored their first No. 1 hit with “Where Did Our Love Go” Between 1964 and 1969, The Supremes earned 12 No. 1 singles in total — a record for the most chart-topping songs among Am...
Perfume Genius on Masculinity, Motown, and My Bloody Valentine
Kyle Meredith With… Perfume Genius Listen via Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Play | Stitcher | Radio Public | RSS Perfume Genius mastermind Mike Hadreas speaks with Kyle Meredith about new album Set My Heart On Fire Immediately. Together, they discuss how movement informed the record and its connections to the dance and music collaboration The Sun Still Burns Here. Hadreas also weighs in on writing songs with big changes, themes of masculinity, guitar sounds that recall My Bloody Valentine and Motown, and his dream-team backing band of Jim Keltner, Pino Palladino, and Matt Chamberlain. Kyle Meredith With… is an interview series in which WFPK’s Kyle Meredith speaks to a wide breadth of musicians. Every Monday, Wednesday, a...
