Originally Posted by
sansradio
In respectful response to jbpintus: I stand firm in saying that no, this cover choice was not a simple matter of happenstance. It strikes me as the same kind of cynical, capitalistic erasure of Blackness that had held sway in the American pop culture machine for decades in the name of the almighty dollar. The constant refrain was [[and is to this day) that "Black faces don't sell product." Even more galling is the fact that Motown was a majority Black-owned-operated-and-founded company making these kinds of decisions.
As to your comment about the relative [[lack of) sex appeal of the Isleys, that's a matter of opinion. IMHO, they were a great-looking group of guys that many women AND men found plenty alluring.
With that being said, I do agree with you that vigorous, respectful debate is healthy and welcomed. All the best!
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