Do you remember Motown?

I was a hardcore, confirmed Rocker in the 60s, but I was aware of Berry Gordy and the Motown music that he produced: Marvin Gaye, Gladys Night, The Supremes, the OJ’s, The Temptations, The Four Tops, LaBelle, Earth Wind and Fire . . . Are you kidding me? I may have my own preferences, but I am not too stupid to recognize brilliant music when I hear it. Even when Motown morphed into Disco, which we Rockers loathed, it was still melodious, rhythmic and presented by artists who had smooth style. The Stadium rock bands thrashed about as they played. The Motown acts had sensuous stage choreography. They were not head-bangers. They were seducers.

I am older now and, I think, wiser than in my youth. I STILL love rock n’ roll, but I clearly see that Motown is 1 of America’s most valuable contributions to the world’s collective musical legacy.

The Detroit riots of 1967 put an end to Motown Records. Had that not happened, would we be saddled with Hip-hop today? Motown, and Jazz, are the zenith of African-American musical expression.

Jazz has been called “the only unique American artform,” but I submit that rock n’ roll and Motown also deserve that honor. Rock grew out of Rockabilly; a country/redneck genre. Rock was brought to fullness by Chuck Berry, whose music is played by every garage and stadium band on the face of the earth, to this very day.

Do you remember Motown? Do you like to dance? Do you like to romance? Had Motown not perforce died, would we have something more musical and refined than rap today?

I think we would.