Smokey Robinson and Cedric the Entertainer hosted the CBS special Motown 60: A Grammy Celebration. The sheer star-power of all the performers in this broadcast made it an incredible journey through Motown’s music and history.
Smokey started out with congratulations to Barry Gordy in the audience in recognition of his creation of Motown. Steve Wonder also paid tribute to Barry from the stage before he performed one his 30 top 10 hits, You Can Feel It All Over.
Smokey and Barry shared a of them going back to “The Motor City,” Detroit, where it all began. Smokey played the piano in the Detroit studio and shared memories of the days when all of their lives changed.
Mary Wilson shared the rough start the Supremes had at Motown in the beginning as they struggled to get a hit, and Fantasia walked through the audience and put her musical spin on My Guy.
Smokey Robinson said his favorite album was What’s Going On by the legend Marvin Gaye. Smokey then introduced another legend, John Legend to perform Marvin’s hits.
Recorded at Los Angeles’ Microsoft Theater, the event featured a star-studded line up of performers include Martha Reeves, Ciara, Ne-Yo, Little Big Town, Meghan Trainor, Boyz II Men, Chloe X Halle, Tori Kelly, Thelma Houston, Pentatonix.
The audience became part of the show when they sang Motown hits from their sits with Cedric, including Ain’t No Mountain Hit Enough.
Smokey Robinson took the stage for his solo, yes! Now the broadcast is a Motown 60 Celebration because Smokey sang his incredible hits. He started with The Tracks of My Tears, Ooo Baby Baby, The Tears Of A Clown, and Just To See Her.
J Lo performed Dancing in the Streets, Postman, I Want Money and Do You Love Me. She sang My Girl with Smokey, Papa Was a Rolling Stone and Teena Marie’s Square Biz.
Smokey, Mary Wilson and Mickey Stevenson talked about segregation and what they saw and experienced through the years, including segregated audiences seated on separated sides of the theater, separate bathrooms, and separate entrances. Smokey said he is proud of the barriers they broke down with their music
They also paid tribute to Lamont Dozier, of the legendary Holland-Dozier-Holland trio of producer-songwriters who wrote numerous 1960s classics at “Hitsville U.S.A.” that helped create the Motown Sound.
Stevie sang Higher Ground before introducing the In Memoriam segment to remember the many Motown greats that have left us. Stevie said, “We loved and lost, but never, ever forget,” before he performed Never Dreamed You’d Leave in Summer.
Ne-Yo returned to perform solo and stated with I Like It, I’ll Be There, and All Night Long.
Next, Smokey Robinson introduced Diana Ross, her music, and career. Diana began in the audience sitting next to and singing to Barry Gordy. What a moment. He was thrilled! She took the stage singing Do You Know, followed by Good Morning Heartache from Lady Sings the Blues.
Diana said to Barry, “I just want to say thank you for what you have done for me, my life and so many others.” “This is your legacy and I want you to know you’ve been a gift to all of us … and I love you.” And then she sang My Man to Barry. She said he asked her to sing this song. She walked up and kissed him on the lips while she sang. Barry Gordy looked like he will never forget this. Never!
Diana gave him a big hug before walking him to the stage and the podium to speak.
Barry said, “When I was a young man my dream was to make music for all people and my dream came true.
Barry thanked the fans, their parents and grandparents all around the world for helping this wonderful dream and fairy talk come true. He said thank you to all the performers, “Who had the courage to follow me down roads that didn’t even exit.” And he said Motown is, “A legacy of love for everybody.” “And all I want to say tonight is I love you and I thank you all.”
Stevie ended the program with Signed Sealed Delivered I’m Yours.
Make sure to find Motown 60: A Grammy Celebration on YouTube. It’s a classic.
Tanya Hart
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