A Befitting Farewell to “Motown’s Matriarch” Esther Gordy Edwards.

On Wednesday August 24, 2011 91-year-old Esther Gordy Edwards may have been surrounded by family and some friends when she died but certainly not all the friends this lady of Motown had. For they would have had to have a museum a thousand times bigger then the one she created for the Detroit’s recording studio she founded.

When you hear our city’s legacy it makes you wonder how all that music, all those artists, all those musicians and all those hits got cranked out of a garage ( Studio A ) of a house that has sat at 2648 West Grand Boulevard from the start, but they did. And that house would be transformed into “Hitsville USA”.

A Solemn Motown Monday ~ ” What’s Going On” ~ Marvin Gaye

” I have never heard any song in my life that the words ring out so prevalent today in 2011 as the year they were written in 1971, 40 years ago “.

Motown Monday ~ Mr. Excitement Jackie Wilson ~ Baby Workout!

You don’t need any details of why this Man was called this. The music says it all.

Jackie was one of the most dynamic performers to watch and listen to. If that man couldn’t make you dance you were DEAD!

Motown Monday ~ Take Me In Your Arms ~ Kim Weston

“Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While)”
Written by Holland / Dozier / Holland
Released in 1965

Kim Weston – vocals
The Funk Brothers – music

Another powerful voice of Motown but you wouldn’t know it since this was another artist Berry Gordy just left on the shelf.

Kim Weston born Agatha Natalie Weston was signed by Motown in 1963.

Motown Monday ~ The Velvelettes ~ Stop Beating Around The Bush

Written by Harvey Fuqua
Recorded in 1964

Mildred Gill, Bertha Barbee, Carolyn Gill, Betty Kelley & Norma Barbee

A Hot Motown Monday ~ Martha & The Vandellas ~ Heat Wave

Just the beginning of one. ENJOY IT!

Written by Holland–Dozier–Holland
Released in 1963

Martha Reeves – vocals
Rosalind Ashford – vocal
Annette Beard – vocals

Music – The Funk Brothers

Richard “Pistol” Allen: drums
James Jamerson: double bass
Joe Hunter: electric piano
Robert White: guitar
Eddie Willis: guitar
Thomas “Beans” Bowles: saxophone solo

Sultry Saturday ~ Jr. Walker & the All Stars ~ Cleo’s Mood

Written By Junior Walker, Harvey Fuqua and Willie Woods.
Originally Released in Sept. 1962 on the Harvey Label.

Junior Walker – Saxophone
Willie Woods – Guitar
Victor Thomas – Organ
James Graves – Drums

Re-Released on Tamla 1966

James Jamerson – Bass

Born Autry DeWalt Mixon, Jr., Walker Smoked on Sax.

Cleo’s Mood is my favorite song from this group.

It’s a raw, seductive, sultry bump and grind number. A combination of Blues & Jazz.

I only wished the song could of gone longer like 30 Minutes. But I’ll take what I can get.

Detroit’s New Longer Parking Meter Hours Enforcement Is Going To Make The City Rich! ~ ” WRONG “

Mayor Dave Bing is an IDIOT… PERIOD.

Detroit is so scrapped for money they want to take it out on those who they look to come and spend their money here. Visitors

Motown Monday ~ The Miracles ~ I’ll Try Something New

Written by Smokey Robinson.
Released off the third self titled album in 1962.

Motown Monday ~ Gino Washington ~ Gino Is A Coward

Written by Ronald Davis
Released in 1963

Motown Monday ~ Reach Out, I’ll Be There ~ The Four Tops

Motown Monday ~ I Want A Love I Can See ~ The Temptations

Written by Smokey Robinson
Released in 1963

Lead vocals by Paul Williams
Background vocals by Eddie Kendricks,
Al Bryant, and Otis Williams
Instrumentation: The Funk Brothers

How in the world this didn’t become the very first hit for ” The Temptations ” is beyond me.

Motown Monday Mania ~ Get Ready ~ Rare Earth

Written by Smokey Robinson.

Rare Earth in Concert 1971.

Recorded: Civic Coliseum – Jacksonville, FL., Marine Stadium – Miami, FL., Cornell University – Ithaca, NY and At The Pharmacy – The Roostertail, Detroit, Mi.

Motown Monday ~ The Satintones ‘Motor City’ and the Label of Correc-Tone.

Released in 1959 on the Tamla Label.

James Ellis
Chico Leverette
Robert Bateman
Sonny Sanders
Vernon Williams- added later

You are listening to the very first group ever signed to the ” MOTOWN ” Label in 1959. Yet Berry Gordy never ever gave this group any recognition what so ever. But that doesn’t surprise me.

Motown Monday Moment ~ I give you Levi Stubbs

If anybody can watch this video without tears flooding out of your eyes or by its end not completely breaking down when Levi hits that last high note. Then all I can say is you don’t have a heart beating within you.

From The Heart: The Four Tops – 50th Anniversary Concert (2004) Detroit, Michigan

A Snowy Motown Monday ~ Brenda Holloway ~ When I’m Gone

Motown’s The Marvelettes Singer Gladys Horton Dies

Co-founder of Marvelettes helped usher in girl group era

 

Yeah Red Wings!!!!!!!!

Detroit Red Wings & Vancouver Canucks game just concluded. Jiri Hudler for the Wings won it in the shootout with blasting a bullet past Roberto Luongo. Final Score 2-1. This ending Vancouver’s 8 game winning streak and extending the Red Wings wins on the road streak to 8.  Niklas Kronwall actually scored with only 24 seconds of the overtime period but was disallowed when the referee said Todd Bertuzzi interfere with the goalie yet no penalty was called.

No doubt when Hudler’s fiery slap shot blasted into the net.

It’s not FREEZING outside. It’s All in Your Mind ~ It is HOT!

Motown Monday ~ Supremes ~ A Breathtaking Guy.

Released in 1963 on the Motown Label, Written by Smokey Robinson.

Actual Title was the longest in Motown’s History.

“A Breath Taking, First Sight Soul Shaking, One Night Love Making, Next Day Heartbreaking Guy”