During the 1960's, in Detroit, Michigan, a landmark in music was established: The Motown Sound. This aural kaleidoscope of high quality, dynamic song creation was established through a confluence of talent and hard work by people whose names now line the halls of fame for popular music. Some of these luminaries include Berry Gordy, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Holland-Dozier-Holland. This course will investigate the societal and musical factors that gave rise to such a distinctive aesthetic, also framing this phenomenon as a point of comparison to a range of commercial music styles, including Philly Soul, Southern Soul, RnB, and current musical trends.
Department of African & African American Studies