Recalling Motown's Musical Roots

Feb. 5, 2006— -- The Motown sound has a beat and a melody that still resonates almost a half-century after it was born.

It all began in 1959 when a songwriter named Berry Gordy founded a label, bought a house, and built a recording studio in the basement.

"Berry Gordy christened the house 'Hitsville USA' because he wanted it to be like a 'hits village,' you know, a place that artists would come in as raw talent, go through a process inside, and then walk out the other door a superstar," said Robin Terry, executive director of the Motown Historical Museum. "They were simply kids that just wanted to make music."

Gordy plucked young talent off the streets and set high standards for their rising stars. They had to finish school and were groomed in every way. The Supremes were even taught how to curtsey when meeting royalty.

"Had I known what Motown was going to become I would have saved every scrap of paper I ever started a song on, paper, reel to reel tape, I would have saved everything, man," said legendary Motown singer, Smokey Robinson.

In 1969 Gordy signed a hot new family act -- the Jackson 5. He launched them onto "The Ed Sullivan Show" and straight into superstardom.

As his stable of talent grew, Gordy billed his label as "the sound of young America," and more than 100 Motown songs cracked the top ten hit lists throughout the 1960s.

"The lyrics were simple and the arrangements were simple and they spoke to the heart," said Terry.

The Motown sound cut across race barriers and was loved by black as well as white audiences. Today, legendary performers such as The Temptations and Stevie Wonder still record for the label.There are also younger stars like Brian McKnight, Erica Baydu and Kem.

A trained ear can hear Detroit's influence on modern pop music. But some of the old guard are still keeping it pure. Groups like The Temptations and The Four Tops believe their sound will always stir the soul.