If they were still alive, who would be the oldest artist signed to Motown?

[woodward]

I was doing some research on Motown artists born in the state of Pennsylvania and much to my surprise, I learned that Billy Eckstine was born in Pittsburgh on 7/18/1914, therefore, if he were still alive he would be 104 today.

Does anyone know any Motown solo artist [[by definition I mean one who had a recording actually released) who could top this? Not restricted to PA.

Little known trivia fact.

[lockhartgary]

Irene Ryan [[Granny from the Beverly Hillbillies) was born in October, 1902. She's be 116 were she still alive.

[midnightman]

Lol I was gonna say one of the Four Tops. I had no idea Irene Ryan signed as a Motown act. :) I know Billy did though.

Here's a great pic of Billy with Marvin around 1983:

14956

[TomatoTom123]

Interesting thread idea Bill!!

Who would be the oldest artist signed to Motown who is still alive?

I can think of Mable John, 88 as of January 2019. :)

[marv2]

My choices would have been Amos Milburn, Hattie Littles or Tony Martin

[midnightman]

Interesting thread idea Bill!!

Who would be the oldest artist signed to Motown who is still alive?

I can think of Mable John, 88 as of January 2019. :)

Wow. She's still around? That's cool. I don't keep up with every Motown artist, I thought she had passed sometime ago. Glad to see I was wrong lol

[arr&bee]

Wait a motown singin minute...isn't there a stone tablet somewhere with[moses]signature on it,didn't he first record-crossing the river jordan to get to hitsville[hehe]!!

[lockhartgary]

Wait a motown singin minute...isn't there a stone tablet somewhere with[moses]signature on it,didn't he first record-crossing the river jordan to get to hitsville[hehe]!!

No, it was actually Adam. He did the original version of "One Bad Apple"!

[arr&bee]

no, it was actually adam. He did the original version of "one bad apple"!haaaaaaaaaaa,i remember that one,with back ground sung by-satan and the snakes..and berry would've released it too if that eve chick didn't walk in eating that apple and berry threw em out!!

[marv2]

haaaaaaaaaaa,i remember that one,with back ground sung by-satan and the snakes..and berry would've released it too if that eve chick didn't walk in eating that apple and berry threw em out!!

Oooooeee, y'all need to quit! LOL!!!!!

[keith_hughes]

Stepin Fetchit was born May 30 1902, so he beats "Granny" by a few months. He was certainly a signed Motown artist, even if his LP never came out.

As for living - Joe Messina's still with us, I hope! Born Dec 13, 1928, signed to Motown and an artist in anyone's book. He has a couple of years' seniority over Mable.

[copley]

Granny still wins as she actually had recordings released :)

[TomatoTom123]

Stepin Fetchit was born May 30 1902, so he beats "Granny" by a few months. He was certainly a signed Motown artist, even if his LP never came out.

As for living - Joe Messina's still with us, I hope! Born Dec 13, 1928, signed to Motown and an artist in anyone's book. He has a couple of years' seniority over Mable.

Ah, Joe Messina, yes! 90 as of Jan 2019. Thanks Keith :)