What was the FIRST Motown Cassette and CD issued and what was it?

[woodward]

We all know the numbering sequence for Motown and related labels 45s as well as albums and other miscellaneous recordings, but does anyone know what the very FIRST cassette that was released and the very FIRST CD that was released? Are they highly collectible?

I don't recall this being discussed before, but if it has been, sorry. Thank.

[BayouMotownMan]

We all know the numbering sequence for Motown and related labels 45s as well as albums and other miscellaneous recordings, but does anyone know what the very FIRST cassette that was released and the very FIRST CD that was released? Are they highly collectible?

I don't recall this being discussed before, but if it has been, sorry. Thank.

I know the first CDs were the Motown Compact Command series on their major artists. If I remember correctly Motown started issuing cassettes and 8 track at the same time and for whatever reason my memory is that Mary Wells My Guy lp may have been the first but I can't be certain. Usually the tapes didn't come out until several weeks after the vinyl

[gman]

the first CDS I saw were the Command Performance ones...with the ugly cover panels. then I think the double Anthology series started to appear, and then the Compact Classics and 2 for 1's.....as far as tapes go, I would think that Reel to Reel would have been a larger early market...the format was already established, even as a niche thing. I suppose the vinyl had to prove a successful seller before the more portable player / outside the home formats were considered for release.

[floyjoy678]

For me it was "Diana Ross and the Supremes Every Great #1 Hit", it had the original trio on the cover holding their gold records and wearing the red velvet gowns. I bought it again after my walkman ate it up after many, many, many listens. I also remember it was the first time I felt like something was off with the backgrounds on "Love Child" and "Someday We'll Be Together" [[At the time I still thought it was Mary and Cindy, but started pondering if it really was them. My sister swore Flo was hitting those high notes on "Love Child").

[marybrewster]

This might be of some interest:

http://picknmixed.blogspot.co.uk/p/first-motown-on-cd.html?m=1

[marybrewster]

And this too:

https://books.google.com/books?id=xykEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA26&lpg=PA26&dq=first+motown+cassette+release&source=bl&ots=s_dgXYrFt3&sig=0G0yUOtROSaPgNxTz6BJrqXCzHE&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi62vWyi77aAhWUyIMKHeaHAM44ChDoATAAegQIC RAB#v=onepage&q=first%20motown%20cassette%20release&f=false

[mysterysinger]

You can see the covers for the complete Compact Command Performances series here...


https://www.flickr.com/photos/cookephotography/albums/72157677040166624

[midnightman]

Probably In Square Circle was the first CD/cassette Motown released followed by the Compact Command Performances sets.