A LETTER FROM DUCHESS Every generation has its sound One of the sounds of the 1960s was Motown The Motown record label was important in American music because it did more than create big hits Motown responded to the politics of the time It led teens of all races to join together for social change The founder of Motown Berry Gordy is quoted as saying I recognized the bridges that we crossed the racial problems and the barriers that we broke down with music We would go back and the audiences were integrated and the kids were dancing together and holding hands As you think about the impact of music ask yourself What is the soundtrack for my generation Please join me in learning about Motown’s impact on America Come with me on a journey that tells the story of the promise of freedom
Motown legends the Four Tops signed with the record label in the 1960s
CHAPTER ONE
A SUPREME PERFORMANCE On July 29 1965 three young stood before the audience African American women at the Copacabana a popular nightclub in New York City Diana Ross Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard were part of a singing group called the Supremes The nightclub could fit 650 people and it was full The audience included celebrities and people who regularly visited the club Many of these people were white and middle aged This was not the Supremes typical audience The Motown group the Supremes became widely popular in the 1960s through both live and televised performances
