What does Tamla mean in Tamla Motown?
It was founded by Berry Gordy Jr. as Tamla Records on January 12, 1959, and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation on April 14, 1960. Its name, a portmanteau of motor and town, has become a nickname for Detroit, where the label was originally headquartered. Motown Records. Parent company. Universal Music Group.
What was the first record released on Tamla Motown?
Come to Me”
“Come to Me” by American singer Marv Johnson was the first ever single to be released by the Tamla Records label which would eventually become known as Motown. Johnson was discovered by Berry Gordy while Johnson performed at a carnival. 22.
Why is Motown called Tamla?
Realising that the way to make money was to produce his own records for his own label, in 1959 he founded Tamla Records (taking the name from the hit Debbie Reynolds film Tammy. Tamla would soon be joined by Motown – a cannibalisation of ‘Motor Town’, a nickname for Detroit).
Where does the name Tamla come from?
Tamla was not intended to be an acronym. It was inspired by Debbie Reynolds’ record “Tammy” (sung in a movie) that BG loved. Since the name Tammy was already copyrighted, Gordy made up a similar name, Tamla. Eventually, Smokey & Claudette Robinson would name their daughter Tamla, after the record label.
Where did the name Tamla Records come from?
Surprisingly, the Tamla Records label was named after the Debbie Reynolds song “Tammy” that was a hit from the film Tammy and the Bachelor (1957) – needless to say, “Tammy” is not at all an R&B song – and Berry Gordy originally wanted to name the label “Tammy Records”.
What most famous record label did Tamla become?
Motown Records
Launched in 1959 under the name Tamla Records in Detroit, Michigan, the burgeoning label officially changed its name to Motown Records and produced some of the greatest soul music artists for the next three decades.
What was Motown Records first #1 hit?
Fifty years ago today (May 16, 1964) the Motown Records label celebrated its first No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 with Mary Wells’ “My Guy,” a song written and produced by Smokey Robinson.
Who was Motown’s most successful act?
Diana Ross and The Supremes
Diana Ross and The Supremes were the most successful group or artist in Motown’s history by at least one measure — their 12 Billboard No. 1 singles. The trio’s run of hits started with 1964’s “Where Did Our Love Go” and stretched into the early 1970s.