Do you remember when you first fell in love with Philly Soul? For me, it was in 1968 because that was the year when the Delfonics’ “La La Means I…
the Temptations
“Sloopy” was a bigger hit for the McCoys but the Vibrations got there first
When Dennis Edwards replaced David Ruffin in the Temptations their sound changed but the hits kept coming
Two classic versions of one classic song. Which is your favorite?
In 1969 two of Motown’s greatest groups teamed up for a smash single
The muscular Tempts or the slow-burning Al Green. Which version is your favorite?
Ruby and the Romantics set the charts on fire with a bossa nova flavored hit in 1963
Barrett Strong had an early hit but found real success as a Motown songwriter
Can a song change the world? Popular music has always been looked on as something of a disposable pleasure: reflective of its times, sure, but meant to be played among…
Legendary studio guitarist Dennis Coffey had a hit of his own in ’71
A splendid new visual history of the legendary soul label
Donny Hathaway’s 1970 single has become a holiday standard
The one single that Frank Wilson released is one of the most collectible records in history
Norman Whitfield and the Velvelettes were a match made in soul music heaven
Rare Earth scored big with two Temptations covers, and more
The Contours were one of the most high-energy acts ever signed to Motown
A hit for Madeline Bell that was a bigger hit by a Motown supergroup
David Ruffin was not the only Temptation who went on to solo success
Jimmy Ruffin’s biggest hit is a Motown classic
A Motown immortal is celebrated in recent reissues
Before “War” Edwin Starr hit it big with “25 Miles”
The Masqueraders are one of the longest running groups in history
Shuffle. Rinse. Repeat x5. What is on your Friday Five?
Florence Ballard was part of one last hit before she was brutally dismissed from the Supremes
The Elgins revived a name at Motown that the Temptations had discarded
Over the years, certain television programs became iconic because of their historical value—the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show, Elvis Presley’s 1968 “comeback” special, Nirvana on MTV Unplugged. Others have…
We lost Funk Brother Bob Babbitt this week, He played on countless Motown hits, including this Stevie Wonder classic.
From Motown to Scotland in five songs, what is on your Friday Five?