Smokey Robinson and the Miracles in 1961

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Smokey Robinson and the Miracles
Led by front man and songwriter Smokey Robinson, the Miracles gave Motown its first million-selling hit record in the early '60s. Some of the group's most popular singles included "Shop Around," "You Really Got a Hold on Me," "The Tracks of My Tears," "Ooo Baby Baby," "The Tears of a Clown" and "I Second That Emotion."


Marvin Gaye in 1976

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Marvin Gaye
Crowned "The Prince of Motown" in the 1960s, Marvin Gaye had many hit songs, including "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)," "Let's Get It On," the Grammy®-winning "Sexual Healing" and "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," also performed by Gladys Knight and the Pips.


Stevie Wonder in 1974

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Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder, blind since birth, signed with Motown at age 11 and is the only artist from the record's early days still on the label today. A few of his best known singles include "Superstition," "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours," "We Can Work It Out," "Sir Duke," "I Wish" and "I Just Called to Say I Love You."


The Supremes: Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, Cindy Birdsong

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Diana Ross and the Supremes
At first a quartet—Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard and Barbara Martin—the Supremes signed with Motown in 1961. Barbara left the group in 1962 and the trio went on to record hit songs like "Baby Love" and "Stop! In the Name of Love." Five years later, Motown founder Berry Gordy replaced Florence with Cindy Birdsong, pictured above.


The Temptations in 1965

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The Temptations
Said to be one of Motown's most successful acts, The Temptations sold tens of millions of albums throughout their career and became the first Motown act to win a Grammy® Award. Some of their classic songs include "My Girl," "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone," "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" and "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep."


Gladys Knight and the Pips in 1978

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Gladys Knight and the Pips
Though the Pips formed in Georgia and recorded several hits prior to joining Motown, they didn't gain widespread success until they came to the label in 1966. Gladys Knight and the Pips' hits included "Everybody Needs Love," "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," "Every Beat of My Heart," "Midnight Train to Georgia" and "Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye)."


Lionel Richie in 1980

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Lionel Richie and the Commodores
Lionel Richie and the Commodores came to Motown originally as a support act to the Jackson 5 before establishing themselves as a popular group. Their hits ranged from funky jams to smooth ballads and included "Brick House," "Three Times a Lady," "Easy," "Still" and "Machine Gun." In 1982, Lionel released his self-titled debut album and enjoyed a successful solo career through the '80s.


The Jackson 5

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The Jackson 5
The Jackson 5 came to Motown in 1968 and performed as the opening act for several Motown artists such as Gladys Knight and the Pips. Diana Ross is said to have formally introduced the Jackson 5 to the public in 1969 and the band of brothers went on to become an international sensation with hits like "ABC," "I'll Be There," "I Want You Back" and "Never Can Say Goodbye."

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Published 02/25/2011