Motown Records Trivia Questions

Motown Records was founded by Berry Gordy Jr. in 1959. Smokey Robinson was a key artist and songwriter but not the founder.

'Shop Around,' written by Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy, was Motown's first record to sell over a million copies, reaching number two on the pop chart.

That single reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1961, making it Motown Records' first chart-topping pop hit.

Motown's first number one pop hit was 'Please Mr. Postman' in 1961. 'My Girl' was a later hit in 1965.

Motown Records was founded in Detroit, Michigan, not Chicago. The label's headquarters were always in Detroit until moving to Los Angeles in 1972.

While most early acts were African American, Motown also signed white artists like Rare Earth in 1969 and singer Chris Clark in the mid-1960s.

The Temptations earned Motown its first Grammy with 'Cloud Nine,' winning Best R&B Performance by a Group in 1970 (award for 1969).

Berry Gordy founded Tamla Records in 1959; the name Motown came from Detroit's nickname 'Motor Town.' The label was officially renamed Motown later.