EPISODE · May 23, 2026 · 18 MIN
The Mistake That Made Motown: How a Broken Microphone Created the Sound of a Generation
from The Second Track · host Podcaster
In 1959, a malfunctioning ribbon microphone at Hitsville U.S.A. should have been thrown in the trash. Instead, it became the secret weapon behind dozens of Motown classics, giving us that warm, slightly distorted vocal sound that defined soul music. The story of how Berry Gordy's penny-pinching accidentally created one of the most recognizable sounds in pop history. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
What this episode covers
In 1959, a malfunctioning ribbon microphone at Hitsville U.S.A. should have been thrown in the trash. Instead, it became the secret weapon behind dozens of Motown classics, giving us that warm, slightly distorted vocal sound that defined soul music. The story of how Berry Gordy's penny-pinching accidentally created one of the most recognizable sounds in pop history.
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The Mistake That Made Motown: How a Broken Microphone Created the Sound of a Generation
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