Originally Posted by
Optimal Saint
I agree I'd love to see a book on the Tops, Jr. Walker, Norman Whitfield and other writers and producers, Martha & the Vandellas
As far as Motown themed books I want a book on Motown and Hollywood, not their musical appearances [[American Bandstand, Ed Sullivan) But more on the movies and TV shows, from Lady Sings the Blues, the Wiz, Last Dragon and the Jackson 5 and Tempts miniseries
A whole book on Motown 25, from the earliest idea, Was Richard Pryor always going to host or were their other contenders?, the feelings of the artists about the idea both still on and off Motown's roster, The lineup, who was there vs not [[No David Ruffin or Eddie Kendricks, Gladys Knight, Funk Brothers) Stage time [[Mary Wells & Jr. Walker getting the briefest of cameos) as well as the impact of the special afterwards
I was in grade school at the time and didn't see it for years afterwards but i remember the teachers talking about it, especially Michael Jackson
I'd also love to see a book on the Gordys with little Berry. The family was very entrepreneurial and pretty successful before Motown. And i think all the family was involved with Motown to some degree but all I know about Loucye was she died young and all I know about Anna was her relationship with Marvin and Gwen was married to Harvey Fuqua
I think the non-Berry Gordys deserve a deep dive
I'd also like to see a book on the sale of Motown. When did Berry first entertain the thought, who knew early on that he was thinking of selling, what was the mood and reactions, both in and out of Motown, Who were the serious bidders, how was the winner chosen [[was it purely the most money offered?) and maybe more on the first year on Motown under new ownership, Did Berry ever regret selling, when he did or to who he did?
Barney Ales and his sales team deserve more credit for Motown's success than they've gotten, I'd like to learn more about them
And even though there are quite a few Marvin Gaye books out there and they all talk about it, I'd like to see a whole book on the Marvin/Tammi relationship
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