World’s Most Expensive Record Sold
Frank Wilson: Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)
“In dollars, the total amount approaches $40,000, making it the world’s most expensive record.”
“As the story goes, Wilson, who became a producer for Motown, was hired in late 1965 to head up the label’s West Coast operation in Los Angeles. The deal was contingent upon Wilson giving up his recording and performing career. But Wilson recorded a demo of “Do I Love You.” Upon finding out, Berry gave the order to have it wiped off the face of the earth. But, two copies escaped.” Peter Lindblad, Goldmine
Marvin Gaye at 70
Marvin Gaye: Let’s Get It On (Live)
““Let’s Get it On” was never a song just about sex (“getting’ it on”), but a song about the spirituality of the sex act — the proverbial sermon in the sheets.” New Black Man
Quincy Jones & Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson: Billie Jean (at Motown 25 y.o. show)
“the Austin Chronicle: You produced both Off the Wall and Thriller. Can anyone do today what Michael Jackson did 25 years ago?
Quincy Jones: You’d have two problems. Number one, we had vinyl. And vinyl would wear out after three years, so people would buy three copies. Also, MTV and Michael Jackson rode each other to glory. Michael Jackson was the first black artist MTV ever played. They didn’t play black artists before him. Rick James was trying to get “Super Freak” on there, and they wouldn’t let it on. But Michael, until it came out June ‘84, man. They do this contest all over the world every year. And even the Asian prisoners do it. You saw it. You saw it on TV, them doing their crazy “Thriller” dance. All over the world, every year.”
Valeria Simpson: I Don’t Need No Help
Valeria Simpson: I Don’t Need No Help
“Less well known is the solo recording career of Valerie Simpson, who before she and Nick Ashford began their run as Ashford and Simpson, recorded two solo albums for the Motown label” Mark Anthony Neal at Vibe
Motown Sings Motown Treasures
The Spinners: It’s A Shame
“Q: What are some of the upcoming things you have planned for imminent release? For instance, the Motown Sings Motown Treasures set featuring well-know artists singing songs that are not necessarily identified with them — such as The Spinners singing “Shop Around,” or The Jackson Five doing “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me.” Are you doing more of those?
A: In the next few months there’s gonna be a Martha and the Vandellas, as well as a Four Tops edition of the Lost and Found series of unreleased studio and live recordings. We are also preparing Marvin Gaye Live at the Copa, which never came out. As far as Motown Sings Motown Treasures, I hope so. Not this year, but I hope so. Like I said, “Watch This Space for more details.” Read much more from Crutchfield
Motown’s 50th birthday
Marvin Gaye: I Heard It Through The Grapevine (A capella)
“Motown Records turns 50 years old on Monday — half a century to the day since Gordy secured the $800 family loan that would transform Detroit and popular music.” USA Today
Four Tops: Ask The Lonely
Four Tops: Ask the Lonely (Remix Tribute)
“…Maybe the most devastating of all was “Ask the Lonely,” in which, as the notes surge higher and higher, Stubbs sings about “a story of sadness, a story too hard to believe.” This was as heavy as Motown got then, but heavy didn’t mean bogged down; the Tops were probably the only act of their time who could get the kids on “American Bandstand” dancing to a song called “Seven Rooms of Gloom.” New York Times
Berry Gordy and Motown’s 50th Anniversary
Jimmy Ruffin: What Becomes of The Broken Hearted
“You can’t really have a good house party unless you play some Motown.” Martha Reeves at Vanity Fair.
