Motown 50: Recent Episodes
Various Artists
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.
Stevie Wonder talks about the inspiration behind, and the making of, the #1 hit "Skeletons" and the ballad "Dark-N-Lovely."
Original Supreme member Mary Wilson shares the story of creating the chart-topping hit "Where Did Our Love Go."
Film director Lawrence Kasdan and his wife Meg discuss how they made the most of Motown music in the classic film The Big Chill.
The Temptations' Otis Williams reflects on the group's timeless No. 1
hit, "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)."
OWWW! The Commodores' Walter "Clyde" Orange breaks down their big hit "Brick House," from concept to the top of the charts.
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.
Medeski, Martin and Wood, the funky acid-jazz trio with deep Motown
influences, reflect on their personal Motor City music memories.
Hip-hop pioneer Q-Tip celebrates his all-time favorite Motown track, Diana Ross' "Love Hangover."
In a rare collaborative interview, longtime Motown composers Pam Sawyer and Marilyn McLeod discuss the creation of their mega-hit "Love Hangover."
Modern Soul sensation Raphael Saadiq reflects on his earliest Motown
memories, favorites and working with the legendary Stevie Wonder.
Listen to a rare and fun radio session from the early 70's featuring the original Jackson 5 - Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael.
We put KCRW DJ, programmer, music guru and Motown fan Garth Trinidad to the test in this special Motown "blindfold listening" episode.
Marvin Gaye collaborator, the award-winning singer/songwriter Leon Ware, shares his stories and thoughts on the classic album and single, "I Want You."
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.
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.
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.
Levi Stubbs and Lamont Dozier break down one of Motown’s biggest hits, the Four Tops’ worldwide smash “Reach Out I’ll Be There.”
Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin and fellow Temps discuss their beginnings and illustrious musical career in a rare archival interview from the 1980s.
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.
Smokey Robinson tells the amazing story about Motown’s — and his group the Miracles’ — first million-selling single.
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.
The late Levi Stubbs, in a rare interview from the Motown Archives, talks about what made the Four Tops tick.
The multi-talented actor, musician, DJ, and producer shares his earliest impressions of Motown.
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.
Smokey Robinson talks about the early days of the label, Berry Gordy and the Motown sound.