Motown Records was established in 1959 by Berry Gordy Jr.  It was based in Detroit which was known as the Motor City because of its large car industry and the name is derived from this.  Motown was at its most influential during the sixties with a blend of soul music that crossed over into pop.  It had a successful formula and had a team of excellent songwriters with the most notable being William Robinson (Smokey Robinson) who was instrumental in helping Gordy develop the sound.  They also had song writing team Holland, Dozier, Holland and Norman Whitfield. 


Major artists came to the fore both sides of the Atlantic and around the World including The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops, The Supremes, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Junior Walker and the Allstars, Edwin Starr and The Isley Brothers.  It also launched The Jackson five who became huge worldwide stars and launched the career of Michael Jackson who went on to become one the most popular artists in the world.  Steve Wonder also emerged as a child star who is still a major worldwide artist.


Motown records on vinyl are highly collectable and early albums are sort after.  There are many acts who appeared on Motown.  Edwin Starr and R. Dean Taylor became major UK artists on the Northern Soul circuit.  Since his death Edwin Starr's son has continued the tradition and still performs his father's songs.


In 72' Gordy took Motown to Los Angeles and in the early 80's it was taken over by MCA and changed hands several times and is currently part of Capitol Music Group.  Later artists to benefit from the Motown phenomenon were Lionel Richie and Boyz II Men.  Some US records appear on the normal dark blue Motown label, but also watch out for the Tamla labels and yellow Soul label.  Planet Earth Records specialise in Motown and have a wide selection of items in stock.