Marvin Gaye – “Hitch Hike” (1962)
One of Marvin’s great early hits – this song was released in Dec. 1962 on Tamla and features backing vocals by Martha and the Vandellas. This song came out when Motown was really starting to hit their stride.
Martha and the Vandellas – “Jimmy Mack” (1967)
Martha Reeves & co.’s final Top 10 hit in America, “Jimmy Mack” was recorded in 1964 but was not released until Feb. 3, 1967. Sheena Easton had a minor hit with the song in 1986.
The Miracles – “Going to a Go-Go” (1965)
Smokey Robinson & co. came out with this Top 20 hit in 1965. It was their 5th million-selling hit. Smokey’s wife Claudette sings the backup on here.
Mary Wells – “My Guy” (1964)
“The First Lady of Motown” – this great Smokey Robinson-written & produced classic came out in 1964 and shot straight to the top. Motown’s first female star had a few other hits with Motown, but this was her biggest. She left Motown soon after this song came out, hoping to make more money elsewhere, as well as establish a movie career, but due to health problems, among other things, it never worked out for her, unfortunately. Wells passed away in 1992 at the age of 49 due to cancer.
Marv Johnson – “Come to Me” (1959)
This release from Jan. 1959 on the Tamla imprint is technically the very first Motown release – the song that got the whole ball rolling.
It made the Top Thirty on the charts. Johnson had other hits in the early days of Motown, but is now unfairly forgotten. Johnson’s early singles would be the precedent to the future sound and success of the label.
Rare Earth – “I Just Want to Celebrate” (1971)
Motown’s first white rock group. This hit was released on the Rare Earth subsidiary in June 1971. They had many hits during the early 70s in a funky rock vein.
Jimmy Ruffin – “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted” (1966)
Jimmy Ruffin, older brother of Temptations singer David Ruffin, had his biggest hit on Motown with this timeless song. Jimmy was originally asked to be the singer with THe Temps, but declined in favor of David. Though he had other minor hits and still continues to tour, he never became the star he was meant to be. With this song though, his place in history is secure.
Stevie Wonder – “As” (1976)
Taken from the double album Songs in the Key of Life, Stevie from 1976. This song has a great gospel feel to it.
Jr. Walker & the All Stars – “Shotgun” (1965)
Jr. Walker’s finest moment and his biggest hit – written by Walker with Motown head Berry Gordy, this made it to #4 on the pop charts and #1 on the R&B charts.
The Marvelettes – “Please Mr. Postman” (1961)
This was the first #1 pop hit for Tamla/Motown in 1961. Later, John Lennon would sing the song with The Beatles. Despite their early success with Motown, The Marvelettes never made it as big as later acts did. The Supremes came along and kind of stole their thunder. But this classic song lives on…
