Motown at 50

Over the years there have been many record companies to come and go. In 1959 Berry Gordy Jr. decided to start a record label in the middle of the auto industry kingdom. And so Motown was begun and over the years the company has spawned such superstars as Smokey Robinson, Michael JacksonMichael Jackson, the Jackson 5, Stevie WonderStevie Wonder, Aretha FranklinAretha Franklin, and the Temptations to name only a few.

On November 20 and 21 Motown will be celebrating 50 years in the music business the events featuring Motown stars. Money raised from the events called "Live it Again" will go to the Motown Historical Museum located at Hitsville U.S.A. in Detroit.

the gala celebration will begin on November 20 with a program honouring some Motown alumni at the very nightclub that hosted many events for those same artists, the Roostertail. An autograph session and dance party will follow.

The celebration will continue on November 21 with a black tie gala at the GM Renaissance Center hosted by Sinbad and performances by Aretha Franklin and the Temptations. Stevie Wonder will pay tribute to Gordy and his sister Esther, who founded the museum. Tributes are also planned for the original five Motown signees - Smokey Robinson, Brian Holland, Robert Bateman, Janie Bradford and Raynoma Singleton. Tributes are also planned for Motown family members who are no longer with us - Michael Jackson, Four Tops member Levi Stubbs, and producer/songwriter Norman Whitefield.

The celebration will conclude with a halftime celebration at the Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day game where new meets old as the new Motown stars sing the hit songs from past Motown stars. Songs performed during halftime will be available for download from www.nfl.com/thanksgiving and proceeds benefiting the United Way.