By VZN (67.67.131.106) on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 - 07:02 pm:

I just read a news article on Yahoo regarding Aretha Franklin...can't they just take the time to get the facts straight!! It says that she was a "Motown legend"...makes me so mad sometimes...

By Juicefree20 (68.161.48.203) on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 - 07:09 pm:

Don't feel bad. The other day, Madonnas manager or press agent was quoted in the Daily News as calling The 81 a Motown song. That came from someone in the industry. God, I missed my calling, I quit too soon.

By Juicefree20 (68.161.48.203) on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 - 07:12 pm:

Well, I guess that she's a Motown artist in that she's from the Motor City. Somehow, I don't think that's what they meant. I'm just trying to cut a little slack here.

By Galactus (207.144.253.114) on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 - 07:17 pm:

The media has some pretty ignorant people reporting on stuff they know nothing about. I remember several years ago when your's truly was working as an artist for a Florida newspaper. The reggae legend Third World was in town for a concert and one of the reporters was assigned to cover the concert.

She was a Columbia University grad, New York native, and supposedly more "cultured" than this ol' southern boy. Guess who phoned whom that day, to receive a lesson regarding reggae history, so the article could be written? I was pleased she at least called so I could fill her in, but the ignorance was quite astounding and annoying.....I hate to be a music snob, but there it was.

It's like all these stories on Mars and astronomy lately. If you know anything about astronomy, it is flat out amazing how stupid some of the reports are written.....But many reporters these days are around 22 or 23 years old, and they know nothing beyond their little circle....and seem to have no interest in history. It really is frustrating.

By Sue (12.34.51.20) on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 - 07:18 pm:

No Juice, it doen't fly ...this is one of those things I go hoarse arguing about.

Our real estate/development writer referred to Freda Payne as a "Motown singer" ...I tried to explain Freda was on Invictus but he argued that "Motown singer" is generic.

It ain't.

By Juicefree20 (68.161.48.203) on Wednesday, March 24, 2004 - 09:25 pm:

I agree Sue. That's why so many "fake" groups can go around & get standing ovations. People like this wouldn't know a Shangri-La from a Vandella, from an O'Jay. They don't know much & don't much care. I think that it's the Karaoke syndrome, who knows, who cares & play Baby Love again.

Juice

By roger (217.35.87.17) on Thursday, March 25, 2004 - 06:52 am:

Helle Everyone.

Juicefree20 .. In some ways "The 81" by CANDY & THE KISSES could be regarded as a "Motown" song, as producer JERRY ROSS openly admits that he based the rhythm on "In My Lonely Room" by MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS, after seeing some kids doing a dance to it they had named "The 81" .. play the two songs back to back and the similarity is obvious.

Seriously though, of course I agree with everyone here. It is very annoying when people who had no connection with Motown are described as if they did.

Roger

By Tony Russi (216.78.186.191) on Thursday, March 25, 2004 - 09:53 am:

The elite media has been referring to all Soul music from the 60's as "Motown" for the past few years. Arabian Nights dinner theater in Orlando had a New Years Eve show a few years ago that featured The Crystals, The Dixie Cups and the Drifters and in their newspaper ad in bold print it said "New Years Eve with Motown".I was so mad I coulda spit nails!I called & tried to inform them, politely, of their error and it was like talking to a wall.

By Bong-Man (198.111.56.128) on Thursday, March 25, 2004 - 10:36 am:

Heh Heh...I have arguments with kids on Rock boards about this very subject all the time ! Last week it was a kid from England who was convinced that all Soul music was Motown, and Motown had nothing to do with Detroit !! I had to scan a 45 and show him that little red star next to the river. Then I was told Aretha and Otis Redding were Motown artists....jeez. It's a constant battle...but worth the effort.
Whenever someone starts a thread about great songwriters I mention William Robinson....and everybody goes HUH !! Who's he !!...and then I tell 'em according to Bob Dylan he's "America's Greatest Poet". They think Holland-Dozier-Holland is an ice cream company for pete's sake !

Don't worry though....Bong-Man sets 'em straight, or tries to.

By BankHouseDave (195.93.34.12) on Thursday, March 25, 2004 - 11:56 am:

Veteran BBC Radio DJ, Tony Blackburn claims credit for playing a lot of 'soul' music in the 60s. A couple of years back he told an interviewer one of his favourite records was the Motown Christmas album, with the Ronettes, the Crystals....

By roger (217.35.87.17) on Thursday, March 25, 2004 - 12:31 pm:

Hello Again Everyone.

Bankhousedave .. I find that tit-bit a bit surprising about TONY BLACKBURN as he's generally quite well informed.

Here's the latest on the man himself :-

http://www.jazzfm.com/people/dj_home.php?dj_id=23

Roger

By VZN (68.92.242.197) on Thursday, March 25, 2004 - 06:36 pm:

Bong-Man,

Be glad there are kids like me who can tell the difference between an ice cream bar and three great songwriters.

By Juicefree20 (68.161.31.21) on Thursday, March 25, 2004 - 09:50 pm:

Amen to all of the above!!

By BankHouseDave (195.93.34.12) on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 04:37 am:

I guess we all have our moments, Roger - and there's always someone like me ready to trot it out years later!

By Uptight! (24.55.0.68) on Friday, March 26, 2004 - 06:35 am:

Well, Aretha Franklin IS a Detroit legend. Do you think the reporter meant Motown, refering to the city?

btw: Holland-Dozier-Holland... I love their ice cream.