Motown's Fabulous Rise
From 'Money' to Michael Jackson — a photo timeline of the early years
AARP, November 28, 2018
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PHOTO BY: PoPsie Randolph/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images; Leni Sinclair/Getty Images
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PHOTO BY: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
1960
Motown releases its first hit single, “Money (That’s What I Want),” sung by Barrett Strong.
The Miracles featuring Smokey Robinson record “Shop Around,” the first Motown record to sell 1 million copies.
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PHOTO BY: Gilles Petard/Getty Images
1961
The Marvelettes release “Please Mr. Postman.” This was the first Motown song to reach the No. 1 position on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart.
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PHOTO BY: Pictorial Press Ltd/Alamy
1962
The Contours release “Do You Love Me?” — which was written for the Temptations. Because Gordy was unable to locate the group, the song was given to the Contours.
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PHOTO BY: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
1963
Mary Wells appears on American Bandstand with Dick Clark.
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PHOTO BY: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
1964
The Temptations’ first Top 20 hit is “The Way You Do the Things You Do.”
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PHOTO BY: Bruce Davidson/Getty Images
1965
Six Motown releases reach No. 1, including “I Can’t Help Myself” by the Four Tops and “Stop! In the Name of Love” by the Supremes.
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PHOTO BY: Pictorial Press Ltd/Alamy Stock Photo
1966
Gladys Knight & the Pips, rising stars from Atlanta, sign a record deal with Motown.
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PHOTO BY: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
1967
Martha and the Vandellas release “Jimmy Mack” on the Gordy label.
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PHOTO BY: Alan Pembleton/Alamy Stock Photo; Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
1968
Marvin Gaye’s version of “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” hits No. 1 on the pop chart.
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PHOTO BY: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
1969
The Jackson 5 performs at the Daisy Disco in Los Angeles, with an introduction by Diana Ross.
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PHOTO BY: David Hickes/Alamy Stock Photo
1970
Edwin Starr releases “War.”
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PHOTO BY: Cover photo by Henry Diltz from Rolling Stone issue dated April 29, 1971
1971
Michael Jackson appears on the cover of Rolling Stone for the first time.
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PHOTO BY: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images (2); FremantleMedia/REX/Shutterstock