Thursday, March 28, 2024

Grammy Awards Will Salute Motown’s 60th Anniversary with TV Special Taped Two Days After Show

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Maybe the greatest TV Music special ever was “Motown 25,” taped back in 1983. That’s when Michael Jackson moonwalked across the stage to “Billie Jean” and history was made.

Now the Grammys, Ken Ehrlich, and AEG are going to tape “Motown 60” two days after the Grammys in Los Angeles on February 12 th. This seems to be the reason Diana Ross is getting a special spot on the actual Grammy Awards.

Of course, a lot of Motown performers are gone. But many are still with us, including Diana, Stevie Wonder, and Smokey Robinson. Mary Wilson of the Supremes lives in Los Angeles, so it won’ t be hard to have her on the show.

Alas, all but one of the original Temptations is gone. And Levi Stubbs from the Four Tops is in heaven, crooning away. So is Marvin Gaye.

But there are plenty of ex-Motowners from the various groups in Los Angeles, and in Detroit. The Isley Brothers, who had a monster hit with “This Old Heart of Mine,” on Motown, are available. The Contours– “Do You Love Me?”– are still working. So is the great Martha Reeves, and the Vandellas.

Sounds like a very promising and fun show! And on point since the Temptations musical “Ain’t Too Proud” is opening on Broadway soon. You can bet that show will be featured!

 

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.
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