How Motown Changed America 

Berry Gordy’s Motown music was a breakthrough not only in the music industry but for society at large, as it was the first strain of African American music embraced by nearly the entire Baby Boom generation. Motown included some of the greatest musical acts in the 60s and 70s, including Diana Ross & the Supremes, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Stevie Wonder, the Temptations, the Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson & the Jackson 5, the Marvelettes, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Lionel Richie & the Commodores.

Click here to listen to one of Motown’s first breakout songs: “Money (That’s What I Want)” by Barrett Strong. It has a catchy tune. But what I like best about it are the lyrics. Super smart.