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PODCAST · music

Motown 50

2009 is the 50th anniversary of American’s greatest record label and global music icon – Motown! Celebrate the anniversary with this podcast series featuring rare and intimate conversations with Motown legends, producers, songwriters and singers - including Berry Gordy, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, the Temptations, the Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, the Jackson 5, the Commodores and more. Also hear from hip-hop pioneer Q-Tip, actor/singer/producer Nick Cannon, film director Lawrence Kasdan, songwriter Diane Warren, author Frank Rich and many more. Listen to fantastic stories of America's greatest record label, including exclusive insights on some of the greatest songs ever, from "My Girl" to "Love Hangover" to “Brick House.” Motown 50 was produced by Vella Interactive.

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  1. 31

    The Motown Legacy

    Chairman Berry Gordy Jr. reflects on the Motown Legacy.

  2. 30

    The Anatomy Of A Hit: My Girl

    The all-time classic Motown anthem "My Girl" is explored.

  3. 29

    Motown's Moves

    Award-winning choreographer Toni Basil shares her love for Motown's moves.

  4. 28

    The Anatomy Of A Hit: Skeletons and Dark-N-Lovely

    Stevie Wonder talks about the inspiration behind, and the making of, the #1 hit "Skeletons" and the ballad "Dark-N-Lovely."

  5. 27

    The Anatomy Of A Hit: Where Did Our Love Go

    Original Supreme member Mary Wilson shares the story of creating the chart-topping hit "Where Did Our Love Go."

  6. 26

    Motown and The Big Chill

    Film director Lawrence Kasdan and his wife Meg discuss how they made the most of Motown music in the classic film The Big Chill.

  7. 25

    The Anatomy Of A Hit: Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)

    The Temptations' Otis Williams reflects on the group's timeless No. 1 hit, "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)."

  8. 24

    Bravo Motown

    Renaissance man Henry Rollins praises Motown and founder and Chairman Berry Gordy.

  9. 23

    The Anatomy Of A Hit: Brick House

    OWWW! The Commodores' Walter "Clyde" Orange breaks down their big hit "Brick House," from concept to the top of the charts.

  10. 22

    Motown Elegance

    Vibe magazine music editor Sean Fennessey discusses the elegance of Motown as well as his experience growing up with the sounds of Michael, Stevie, Smokey and Boyz II Men.

  11. 21

    It's all about the song!

    Award-winning songwriter, and Motown fan, Diane Warren is featured.

  12. 20

    That Motown Swing

    Saxophonist David Sanborn talks Junior Walker, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and more.

  13. 19

    Funky jazz and the Motor City

    Medeski, Martin and Wood, the funky acid-jazz trio with deep Motown influences, reflect on their personal Motor City music memories.

  14. 18

    The Anatomy Of A Hit: Love Hangover (Part 2)

    Hip-hop pioneer Q-Tip celebrates his all-time favorite Motown track, Diana Ross' "Love Hangover."

  15. 17

    The Anatomy Of A Hit: Love Hangover (Part 1)

    In a rare collaborative interview, longtime Motown composers Pam Sawyer and Marilyn McLeod discuss the creation of their mega-hit "Love Hangover."

  16. 16

    Motown built to last!

    Modern Soul sensation Raphael Saadiq reflects on his earliest Motown memories, favorites and working with the legendary Stevie Wonder.

  17. 15

    Brotherly Fun

    Listen to a rare and fun radio session from the early 70's featuring the original Jackson 5 - Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael.

  18. 14

    Listening with Garth Trinidad

    We put KCRW DJ, programmer, music guru and Motown fan Garth Trinidad to the test in this special Motown "blindfold listening" episode.

  19. 13

    The Anatomy Of A Hit: I Want You

    Marvin Gaye collaborator, the award-winning singer/songwriter Leon Ware, shares his stories and thoughts on the classic album and single, "I Want You."

  20. 12

    The Anatomy Of A Hit: Stubborn Kind Of Fellow

    On this exclusive episode, we dial back to 1966 as Marvin Gaye sits down with Detroit radio DJ Scott Regan and breaks down his first big Motown hit, "Stubborn Kind Of Fellow." It's the first time this intimate, relaxed interview has been heard in more than 40 years.

  21. 11

    An intimate conversation with Marvin Gaye

    During the 1960's, all of the stars of Motown talked to popular Detroit radio DJ Scott Regan, but none was more open than Marvin Gaye. On this exclusive episode, listen to a rare and intimate conversation between Scott and Marvin that covers everything from his early ambitions to Berry Gordy to his ultimate goal as an artist.

  22. 10

    Musings on Marvin

    The great American folk singer and guitarist Richie Havens shares his personal memories of the legendary artist Marvin Gaye. Marvin Gaye, would have celebrated his 70th birthday April 2.

  23. 9

    The Anatomy Of A Hit: Reach Out I'll Be There

    Levi Stubbs and Lamont Dozier break down one of Motown’s biggest hits, the Four Tops’ worldwide smash “Reach Out I’ll Be There.”

  24. 8

    The Temptations

    Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin and fellow Temps discuss their beginnings and illustrious musical career in a rare archival interview from the 1980s.

  25. 7

    Vintage Stevie

    In another rare archival interview, Stevie Wonder talks of his early days at Motown and the evolution of his music through the brilliant, then-new album Talking Book.

  26. 6

    The Anatomy Of A Hit: Shop Around

    Smokey Robinson tells the amazing story about Motown’s — and his group the Miracles’ — first million-selling single.

  27. 5

    The nation’s capitol, The Motortown Review and President Obama

    The New York Times political columnist Frank Rich links Motown to the upheaval of the 1960s through personal recollections of the Motortown Review in his native Washington, D.C., while adding perspective on the 2008 election of President Barack Obama.

  28. 4

    The Four Tops

    The late Levi Stubbs, in a rare interview from the Motown Archives, talks about what made the Four Tops tick.

  29. 3

    Impressions of Motown

    The multi-talented actor, musician, DJ, and producer shares his earliest impressions of Motown.

  30. 2

    A Tour of Hitsville U.S.A., May 1963

    On this rare interview Motown founder Berry Gordy and a Detroit radio host walk through Hitsville, on the cusp of the company’s runaway success.

  31. 1

    Motown Reflections

    Smokey Robinson talks about the early days of the label, Berry Gordy and the Motown sound.

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

2009 is the 50th anniversary of American’s greatest record label and global music icon – Motown! Celebrate the anniversary with this podcast series featuring rare and intimate conversations with Motown legends, producers, songwriters and singers - including Berry Gordy, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, the Temptations, the Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, the Jackson 5, the Commodores and more. Also hear from hip-hop pioneer Q-Tip, actor/singer/producer Nick Cannon, film director Lawrence Kasdan, songwriter Diane Warren, author Frank Rich and many more. Listen to fantastic stories of America's greatest record label, including exclusive insights on some of the greatest songs ever, from "My Girl" to "Love Hangover" to “Brick House.” Motown 50 was produced by Vella Interactive.

HOSTED BY

Various Artists

Produced by Joseph Vella

CATEGORIES

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Motown 50 have?

Motown 50 currently has 31 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Motown 50 about?

2009 is the 50th anniversary of American’s greatest record label and global music icon – Motown! Celebrate the anniversary with this podcast series featuring rare and intimate conversations with Motown legends, producers, songwriters and singers - including Berry Gordy, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross,...

How often does Motown 50 release new episodes?

Motown 50 has 31 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Motown 50?

You can listen to Motown 50 on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Motown 50?

Motown 50 is created and hosted by Various Artists.
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