Well, to read that Berry banned Diana from anything sounded very odd. If true, Marv will answer. If not, he will ignore the question. In this era of fake news and alternative facts, we should be used to this type of info, but in any case, Marv is allowed to post whatever he wants here without consequences.
Getting back on topic, I know it is all about the ratings, and perhaps some of the early acts would not have been ratings getters , but there were some huge acts in the early days of Motown, such as Martha and the Vandellas, Mary Wells, Marvellettes, Miracles. Martha, Mary and Marvellettes should have been there prominantly.
Yeah but they were almost non-existent in 1983, which was the point. By 1990, there were more interest in them because Motown's classic brand was starting to make money from CDs off their songs. But in March 1983, when Motown 25 was taped, most of these acts were either retired or had played at low-rent bars to make ends meet. I think of this bunch, only Martha and Mary was making some coins off of playing classic oldies in decent venues.
Yes, you told me. And if I told you something a lttle off , like James Brown was banned from the Apollo Theatre , wouldn't you ask me to explain or where I heard this info?
That's what I am asking. And you know that. But of course, you do not have to answer as you are omnipotent on this board so you can get by with just anwering "I already told you"
Ok....fact is, there was a lot to be squeezed into one evening, let alone one TV special.
Ideally, the Motown 25th Salute..it would have been better to do summer replacement or multiple 2 hour specials over the course of a few weeks...Grand Debut/ Ending week shows..Split the headliners....only one non label guest star/newer act per show....Mary Martha and Jr could have been given deserved more time. And everyone that should have been included [[Marvelettes, Kim, Brenda, Rare Earth, RD Taylor, Gladys Knight, Jimmy Ruffin, Barrett Strong, Edwin Starr) could have been featured performing their key contributions. The problem was there was way too much talent and successful, influential material to include in 1 shot....and Tony Bennett should have performed For Once In My Life....that is IMHO the Quessential non label treatment of any Motown song.
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