A very interesting documentary IN THE SHADOWS OF MOTOWN is.
About ten years ago this DVD came out, and as I watched it, I was reminded that musicians who back stage performers and studio musicians are often responsible for a "Sound."
Motown's definitive sound when it was Detroit based in the very early days of the label were called THE FUNK BROTHERS, and like the Wrecking Crew in Los Angeles, who listeners heard without knowing the names, this is the story of some unsung song heroes.
The funk brothers included Percussionist Jack "Black Jack" Ashford, Bassist, Bob Babbitt, Keyboardist, Joe Hunter, Drummer Uriel Jones, Guitarist Joe Messina, Guitarist Eddie "Chank" Willis, Drummer Richard "Pistol" Allen, Drummer William "Papa Zita" Benjamin, Percussionist Eddie "Bongo" Brown, Keyboardist Johnny Griffith, Bassist James "Igor" Jamerson, Keyboardist Earl "Chunk of Funk" Van Dyke, and Guitarist Robert White. (We tried to list all these names in our labels but it didn't fit!)
The DVD features some re-creations of the tunes you know as Classic Motown and some interviews with those who were alive and well to tell the tale a decade ago. There is also a nice little booklet included that tells you some of the songs these artists played on. Most played the Blues and Jazz before Motown and brought that feel, as well as (you can tell from all those drummers and percussionists) a beat that was unique.
"They played on more #1 records than the Beatles, The Beach Boys, the Rolling Stones, and Elvis Presley combined..."
Christine Trzyna
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