Motown: The Sound of Young America

Motown: The Sound of Young America

Inspired by our exhibition, Motown: The Sound of Young America, presented by City National Bank, relive the best of Motown Sound!

Soul is one of America’s greatest musical treasures, and Motown its most memorable sound. Motown began in Detroit in the early 1960s and quickly became “The Sound of Young America,” crashing the American pop charts and challenging the Beatles-led British Invasion. A blend of gospel, blues, and pop, the Motown Sound featured the sweet harmonies of the Supremes and the Temptations, the perfect pop-soul of Smokey Robinson, and continues to present day as an active label under Universal Music Group with a new definition of soul with artists like Migos, Erykah Bad, and Ne-Yo.

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Motown: The Sound of Young America
  • Claudette Robinson

    On May 13, 2016, in conjunction with the opening of the GRAMMY Museum's exhibit, Legends of Motown: Celebrating The Miracles, the GRAMMY Museum welcomed the "First Lady of Motown" Claudette Robinson and fellow founding member of The Miracles, Warren "Pete" Moore, to the Clive Davis Theater for an...

  • Smokey Robinson

    Music legend Smokey Robinson visited the GRAMMY Museum on August 24, 2009 to discuss his extraordinary career, legendary Motown work, and original songwriting. A singer, songwriter, and record producer, Robinson helped define the “Motown sound” as the founder and frontman of the iconic Motown Re...

  • Ms. Mary Wilson

    The GRAMMY Museum welcomed Ms. Mary Wilson, a founding member of Rock and Roll Hall of Famers the Supremes, on June 24, 2015. Ms. Wilson co-founded what became one of the most successful American singing groups of the ’60s with original members Diana Ross and Florence Ballard, originally calling...

  • The Temptations

    Straight off the release of All The Time, their first new album in eight years, the GRAMMY Museum welcomed legendary group, The Temptations, for an intimate conversation on June 11, 2018. For over 60 years, The Temptations have reigned as one of popular music’s most beloved and successful groups ...

  • Thelma Houston

    On January 17, 2019, the GRAMMY Museum welcomed GRAMMY-winning R&B artist Thelma Houston to the Museum’s Clive Davis Theater for an intimate conversation. Perhaps best known for her number one international hit “Don’t Leave Me This Way,” Thelma Houston shares her inspirational journey that chroni...

  • Joy Denalane

    Joy Denalane’s talent, emotional honesty, the culturally complex story of her life, and natural beauty make her an incredibly versatile artist. The daughter of a South African father and a German mother, Joy was born in Berlin. Her access to African music and rhythms, as well as her love of Ameri...