June 1:

“Since I Lost My Baby,” another Smokey Robinson classic by the Temptations is released 1965. Marvin Gaye and the Funk Brothers begin recording the band track for “What's Going On” in 1970. It is also the day David Ruffin dies, 1991.

May 31:

The first LP by Jr. Walker & the All Stars, Shotgun, is released 1965, following the title track's month-long grip on the soul chart summit. In 1973, following her Oscar®-nominated turn as Billie Holiday in the film Lady Sings The Blues, Diana Ross return to pop with the release of “Touch Me In The Morning.”

May 30:

Happy Birthday to the Marvelettes' Gladys Horton (1945). Dick Clark’s “Caravan Of Stars” hits the road on this date in 1964, with a line-up that includes Motown’s Brenda Holloway, the Shirelles, Gene Pitney, the Dixie Cups, Brian Hyland, the Coasters, Major Lance – and, as a throw-in, the Supremes.  Their lowly status on the bill changes as “Where Did Our Love Go” explodes mid-summer.

May 29:

“Love Hangover” by Diana Ross tops the Billboard Hot 100, having already hit No. 1 on the R&B and Disco charts.

May 28:

Happy Birthday Gladys Knight (1944). In 1969, Motown releases Smokey Robinson & the Miracles’ “Doggone Right,” coupled with “Here I Go Again.”  It turns into the group’s most successful double-header, as both songs reach the R&B top 20.

May 27:

As various Motown acts have done before, Gladys Knight & the Pips record two commercials for Coca-Cola in 1968. Later, Billy Davis – Berry Gordy’s original 1950s songwriting partner – creates the Coke commercial that becomes “I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing.”

May 26:

Stevie Wonder records “Superstition” at the Electric Lady studios in New York, working with studio masters Malcolm Cecil and Bob Margouleff. Also on this date: “More Love” by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles released 1967; "The Nitty Gritty" by Gladys Knight & The Pips released 1969.

May 25:

“Machine Gun” by the Commodores debuts on the Billboard R&B charts in 1974, two years after they are signed to Motown. Composed by the group’s Milan Williams, the rapid-fire instrumental was given its title by Berry Gordy.

May 24:

Happy Birthday Tommy Chong (1938). Though best known as one-half of the comedy team Cheech & Chong, songwriter and guitarist Tommy was first a member of the Motown group Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers.

May 23:

Motown releases “Harmour Love” by Syreeta, written, produced and arranged by her ex-husband, Stevie Wonder, 1975. It becomes her first U.S. chart entry.

May 22:

What’s Going On 1971. Along with Valerie Simpson’s Exposed it is among the first Motown LP to list the names of the session musicians on the record, and the second (after Stevie Wonder’s Where I’m Coming From) to feature complete song lyrics. Happy Birthday Ronald Isley (1941) and Blinky Williams (1944).

May 20:

Happy Birthday Shorty Long (1940), whose biggest hit was 1968’s “Here Comes The Judge,” but he’s also fondly remembered for “Devil With A Blue Dress” and the party classic “Function At The Junction.”

May 19:

"The End Of Our Road" by Marvin Gaye released 1970. In 1985 NBC-TV airs “Motown Returns to the Apollo,” featuring Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, the Four Tops, the Temptations, Diana Ross, Martha Reeves, Mary Wells and the Commodores.

May 18:

“I Was Made To Love Her” by Stevie Wonder released 1967. A year later on this date, R. Dean Taylor’s “Gotta See Jane” is released in the UK, where its summertime top 20 success marks the Canadian writer/singer’s first hit anywhere.

May 17:

Happy Birthday Pervis Jackson of the Spinners (1938). In 1980, Motown Industries vice chairman Michael Roshkind reports that the company is developing projects for all three U.S. TV networks, including a three-hour movie, The Gene Tierney Story, for ABC.

May 16:

In 1966, Motown appoints Edward Holland Jr. as A&R director, succeeding Mickey Stevenson, who is named special assistant to Berry Gordy. Stevenson and wife Kim Weston later leave for MGM Records. In 1983, the TV special “Motown 25: Yesterday-Today-Forever” is first aired on NBC-TV. It wins several awards, including an Emmy® for Best Variety Program.

May 15:

Mary Wells’ “You Beat Me To The Punch” – Motown’s first Grammy® nomination – loses out to Ray Charles’ “I Can’t Stop Loving You” when the awards are announced in Los Angeles, 1963. Happy Birthday, producer/songwriter Freddie Perren (1943).

May 14:

Happy Birthday Bobby Darin (1936), who became a Motown artist in 1971 with the single “Melodie.” A Darin album, Live At The Desert Inn, is name-checked on the single’s label copy, but not released until the late 1980s.

May 13:

Happy Birthday Mary Wells (1943) and Stevie Wonder (1950)!

May 12:

Happy Birthday Henry "Hank" Cosby (1928) and Norman Whitfield (1940). In 1962 Motown introduces its Workshop Jazz label with a single release, "Exodus," by Hank and Carol Diamond. Mickey Stevenson, who also supervised the label, produced it.

May 11:

The Temptations record their vocals for “Beauty Is Only Skin Deep” in 1966. When released as a single it hits No. 1 R&B. “Standing In The Shadows Of Motown” – the movie granting long-overdue recognition to the company's house band – debuts at the Tribeca Film Festival, New York in 2002.

May 10:

Marvin Gaye plays the Apollo Theater in New York, as Motown celebrates May as "Marvin Gaye Month." It ties in with the release of his two new LPs, M.P.G. and Marvin Gaye and His Girls.

May 9:

The Supremes record their vocals for Diana Ross launches her solo career at the Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas, NV, and the Temptations release the single "Ball Of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today)." Happy Birthday Jimmy Ruffin (1939) and Thelma Houston (1943).

May 6:

Edwin Starr records his lead vocal for "War," shortly after the Kent State campus shootings, 1970. Gladys Knight & the Pips’ “I Don’t Want To Do Wrong,” co-written with the Marvelettes’ Katherine Anderson, is released 1971. In 1997, the Jackson 5 are inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Diana Ross introduces all five brothers at the ceremony in Cleveland, and Berry Gordy joins them on stage.

May 5:

In London, the Four Tops record "A Simple Game" and “So Deep Within You” with producer Tony Clarke. Both songs were written by Mike Pinder of the Moody Blues. Happy Birthday Barbara Randolph (1942).

May 4:

Happy Birthday Jackie Jackson (1951) and songwriter/producer Nick Ashford (1942). "7 - Rooms Of Gloom" by the Four Tops released 1967.

May 3:

Producer Frank Wilson cuts the track for “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me” for the Supremes and the Temptations – a cover tune suggested by Motown executive Suzanne de Passe.

May 2:

Michael Jackson’s third solo single, “I Wanna Be Where You Are," is released.  The song was written by T-Boy Ross, Diana’s brother, and Leon Ware.

May 1:

The Supremes appear on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1966, their second of five appearances that year alone. “Don't Let The Joneses Get You Down” by the Temptations is released 1969.

April 30:

April 30: In 1970, Michael Jackson makes his debut on the cover of Rolling Stone. The magazine asks, “Why does this eleven year-old stay up past his bedtime?”

April 29:

Thomsina Montgomery, a.k.a. Tammi Terrell, is born 1945. At the Hollywood Bowl in 1967, Cindy Birdsong makes her first concert appearance with the Supremes, in place of Florence Ballard. She had been shadowing the group for months.

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April 28:

“The Sound of Motown” one-hour TV special is broadcast in the U.K., 1965. It was recorded in March in London, with the Temptations, Martha & the Vandellas, the Miracles, the Supremes and Stevie Wonder. Five years later, a more mature Wonder finishes recording “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours,” his first self-production.

April 27:

Temptations guitarist and songwriter Cornelius Grant, born 1943, celebrates his birthday. In 1979, Stevie Wonder makes a surprise appearance at a Duke Ellington tribute concert at the University of California, Los Angeles. At Royce Hall, he performs “Sir Duke” and Ellington’s “C-Jam Blues.”

April 26:

“You're the Man, Pt. 1” by Marvin Gaye is released 1972. Though nearly forgotten today, it becomes a Top 10 R&B hit. Marvin is also on the cover of Rolling Stone this week.

April 25:

"What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)" by Jr. Walker & The All Stars is released 1969. Jimmy Ruffin’s “Farewell Is a Lonely Sound” is the first of three consecutive U.K. top 10 hits for the singer, who later becomes a British resident.

April 24:

“Love Hangover” is the nation’s No. 1 disco hit in 1976. It began as an album track on Diana Ross, but a cover by the 5th Dimension forced Motown to rush-release her original as a single. On this day in 1963, “Your Old Stand By” by Mary Wells is released.

April 22:

Motown ships in 1963 Recorded Live At The Apollo Vol. 1, featuring the Contours, the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, the Marvelettes, Little Stevie Wonder, Mary Wells and the Miracles. The shows were taped the previous December. In 1968, Marvin Gaye slips into Studio A to record his lead vocal for “Chained."

April 21:

Lynda Laurence substitutes for Cindy Birdsong at a Supremes concert in Hawaii, and goes on to replaces her in the group. Laurence previously sang background for Stevie Wonder.

April 20:

“Ain't No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell is released, 1967, Two years later, Benny Benjamin, the great Motown drummer who named the Funk Brothers band, dies at age 43. Recording sessions are cancelled.

April 19:

The Four Tops cut five songs for their never-released Workshop Jazz LP, Breaking Through. The material is eventually made available in 1999.

April 18:

Diana Ross's network special Diana! airs on ABC-TV, 1971. It is the first production from Motown’s TV and theatrical division.

April 17:

Marvin Gaye & Mary Wells’ record their duet single “Once Upon A Time," 1963. It’s released nearly exactly a year later.

April 16:

Diana Ross & the Supremes in 1967 record “We Couldn’t Make It Without You,” a tribute song to Berry Gordy.

April 15:

Berry Gordy Jr. is honored with a “citation of excellence” from Detroit Mayor Jerome Cavanagh during the first BMI R&B Awards dinner in 1969, held at the Ponchartrain Hotel, Detroit. On this day in 1971, “Nathan Jones” by The Supremes is released.

April 14:

Motown Record Corp. is incorporated in Detroit, 1960. Thus affirmed, the name kick-starts the Motown 1000 series with the release of the Satintones’ “My Beloved,” re-recorded with strings.

April 13:

The Tamla Motown Revue plays the Olympia Theatre in Paris, 1965, with Martha & the Vandellas, Stevie Wonder, the Miracles and the Supremes. The show is recorded for later release on LP, edited and assembled by Robert Gordy. In 1963, Motown’s newest signing, the Four Tops, begin their first recording sessions at Hitsville.

April 12:

Stevie Wonder plays Detroit’s Masonic Temple in a concert taped by Showtime as his first solo TV concert special, 1984. It is scheduled to air in June.

April 11:

Freddie Gorman, songwriter, producer and singer, is born 1939. He’s best known as a member of The Originals but was also inspired by his old day job to help write The Marvelettes’ “Please Mr. Postman.”

April 10:

Producer Norman Whitfield overdubs strings and horns to Marvin Gaye's version of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" in 1967, completing the recording. It is not released as 45 until November 1968.

April 9:

In 1976, Stevie Wonder finally signs his seven-year, $13 million contract with Motown, which was publicly announced the previous August.

April 8:

It’s Supremes Day— "Where Did Our Love Go” (1964) and “Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart” (1966) are released today.

April 7:

Louvain Demps, high soprano of the Andantes, is born 1938. Street Songs by Rick James is released in 1981. It goes on to spend 20 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard R&B charts.

April 6:

Diana Ross debuts as a solo artist as “Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)” is released 1970.

April 5:

Ronald “Ronnie” White, a founding member of The Miracles, is born 1939. In addition to his many contributions as part of the group, White brought 11-year-old Stevie Wonder to Motown and co-wrote, with Smokey Robinson, “My Girl” for the Temptations. He died in 1995.

April 4:

The Jackson 5 release “Little Bitty Pretty One,” a cover of a Bobby Day tune that was a hit for Thurston Harris in 1958. It hits the R&B Top Ten.

April 3:

The Tamla-Motown label debuts in Italy in 1967, with local-language versions of hits by the Supremes, the Four Tops and Stevie Wonder, among others. RCA Italy’s Gianpiero Ricci supervised the sessions in Hitsville months earlier.

April 2:

Marvin Gaye is born this day, 1939. Thirty years later, “I Heard It Through the Grapevine rules the British chart summit, while in the U.S. "Too Busy Thinking About My Baby,” his next No. 1, is released.

April 1:

In 1961, Cash Box magazine reviews “I Want a Guy,” the Supremes’ first single on Tamla Records. A year later, Marvin Gaye records his lead vocal on “Pride and Joy” at Hitsville. Marvin is killed on this day in Los Angeles in 1984.

March 31:

Smokey Robinson & the Miracles make their debut on The Ed Sullivan Show, 1968, performing a medley of hits including the current single, "If You Can Want."  They also perform a goosebump-inducing cover of the Beatles' "Yesterday," with guitarist Marv Tarplin.  Sullivan's introduction: Smokey and his little Smokeys!" 

March 30:

"Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On" by Edwin Starr released 1971.  The Temptations as well as Yvonne Fair later cover the song.

March 29:

Marvin Gaye's, "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" reaches No. 1 in the U.K.

March 28:

The Temptations Show, a variety television special featuring skits and performances by the group, along with appearances by Hollywood stars Kaye Stevens and comedian George Kirby, airs 1969.

March 27:

The Supremes' "Stop! In The Name Of Love," hits No. 1 Pop, 1965 - their fourth consecutive chart-topper.

March 26:

Diana Ross is born 1944. In 1968, Motown releases, "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing," by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell.

March 25:

What was to become a renowned television event, Motown: Yesterday Today and Forever, staged at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 1983. Two years later, Stevie Wonder wins a Best Song Academy Award for, "I Just Called To Say I Love You," a worldwide No. 1 hit.

March 24:

"Nothing's Too Good For My Baby," by Stevie Wonder, is released 1966, while the Supremes appear on The Dean Martin Show the same day.

March 23:

Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson complete session work for Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's, "Your Precious Love," 1967.

March 22:

"Berry Gordy's The Last Dragon," is released to theaters, eventually grossing more than $40 million at the box office. The soundtrack features a new song from Stevie Wonder and the No. 1 hit from DeBarge, "Rhythym Of The Night."

March 21:

"(I'm A) Road Runner," by Jr. Walker & the All Stars, is released 1966. "It's All In The Game," by Four Tops, is released 1970. And, Motown road show bandleader and recording artist Choker Campbell is born, 1916.

March 20:

The Tamla-Motown Revue - known in the U.S. as the "Motortown Revue" - kicks off at the Astoria Theatre in north London, 1965. There will be 20 dates in three weeks.

March 19:

"Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Da-Day," by Stevie Wonder, is released 1968. His early Motown mentor Clarence Paul is born, 1928. Over in England, in 1965, EMI Records launches the Tamla-Motown label with singles, EPs and LPs. The first single (TMG.501) is the Supremes' "Stop! In The Name Of Love," and the first LP (TML11001) is a various-artists compilation, "16 Tamla Motown Hits."

March 18:

"It's Growing," by the Temptations, is released 1965. In 1967, Martha & the Vandellas' "Jimmy Mack," reaches the Top 10.

March 17:

Pete Rivera of Rare Earth is in the studio with producer Norman Whitfield, recording vocals for the group's version of. "(I Know) I'm Losing You," 1970.

March 16:

Gordy Records makes its debut in 1962 with the release of the Temptations' "(You're My) Dream Come True," written and produced by Berry Gordy. It becomes the group's first charted single. "Never Can Say Goodbye," by the Jackson 5, is released 1971. Tammi Terrell dies 1970.

March 15:

Rockwell (Kennedy Gordy) is born, 1964. The Motortown Revue- featuring the Supremes, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, the Temptations, Martha & the Vandellas, Stevie Wonder and the Earl Van Dyke Sextet- arrives in the U.K. in preparation for its first European tour, 1965. "If you would like to come to the airport to meet them," Dave Godin notifies members of the Tamla Motown Appreciation Society, "please let me know as soon as possible. If there are sufficient numbers, we will hire a coach from Central London."

March 14:

The Marvelettes record four tracks for their upcoming album, The Marvelettes Sing, in a single session in 1963: "Good Luck Charm," "The One Who Really Loves You," "Mashed Potato Time," and "Dream Baby."

March 13:

"Shotgun," by Jr. Walker & the All Stars, climbs to No. 1 on the soul chart summit, 1965. Years later, in 1970, Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson begin sessions for a dramatically revamped version of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," this time for Diana Ross.

March 12:

Marlon Jackson of the Jackson 5 is born, 1957. Stevie Wonder and Temptations are special guests on U.K. TV's popular music program, Ready Steady Go!, 1965.

March 11:

"Love Is Here And Now You're Gone," is the Supremes' ninth Pop No. 1, 1966. In 1969, while Marvin Gaye is in Detroit recording his vocal for "Too Busy Thinking About My Baby," the Temptations are in New York collecting Motown's first ever GRAMMY® award, for "Cloud Nine."

March 10:

Twelve-year-old Stevie Wonder is a sensation on the Motortown Revue show recorded live at the Regal Theater in Chicago, 1963. His high-energy version of "Fingertips," breaks out of the subsequent LP, 12 Year-Old Genius Recorded Live, and Stevie becomes the first artist ever to have a No. 1 LP and single at the same time.

March 9:

With Smokey Robinson producing, the Funk Brothers record the backing track for "First I Look At The Purse," in 1965.It's soon a hit for the Contours, featuring a spoken falsetto intro by Motown staffer Pat Cosby, wife of songwriter/producer Henry Cosby.

March 8:

Motown has 6 simultaneous hits in the British top 20, by the Supremes & Temptations, Martha & the Vandellas, Marv Johnson, the Isley Brothers, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye.

March 7:

Anna Gordy, label owner, songwriter, sister to Berry Gordy and first wife to Marvin Gaye, is born 1922/

March 6:

A day for No. 1's:

"My Girl," The Temptations' first No. 1, reaches the top. "Love Machine," by the Miracles featuring Billy Griffin, is No. 1 Pop in 1976. It's also the day Motown bassist extraordinaire James Jamerson is inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame in 2000.

March 5:

"Ooo Baby Baby," by The Miracles is released 1965.

March 4:

The Supremes' Mary Wilson is born 1944. She and the group appear on The Sammy Davis Show on this date in 1966.

March 3:

Mary Wells records "My Guy," 1964. In 1972, Stevie Wonder releases his album Music Of My Mind, his first since a new contract signed after his 21st birthday the previous May.

March 2:

Lawrence Payton of the Four Tops is born 1938, while today is the day in 1966 that Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston record their vocals for "It Takes Two," an eventual smash hit. And, in 1974, Stevie Wonder takes home four Grammy® Awards, including album of the year for Innervisions. 

March 1:

In 1963, Motown executives Berry Gordy, Barney Ales and Esther Edwaards fly to Europe to meet potential licensees and distributors for Motown. Their previous U.K. license with Oriole Records expires in June.

February 28:

Brenda Holloway, famous for "Every Little Bit Hurts," and "You've Made Me So Very Happy," records her last Motown session in 1968.

February 27:

In 1968, Stevie Wonder's "Shoo-Be-Do-Be-Doo-Da-Day" is completed and ready for review by Motown's Quality Control department, while the company releases "Does Your Mama Know About Me," by Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers.

February 26:

The Tempations record vocals for "Don't The The Joneses Bring You Down," Norman Whitfield and Barrett Stong's indictment of materialism, in 1969.

February 25:

"I Don't Blame You At All," by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, is released 1971.

February 24:

"I'll Be Doggone," by Marvin Gaye, is released 1965. That same day, the Supremes' Diana, Mary and Flo are "dubbed in" to "Back In My Arms Again" at Hitsville, U.S.A.

February 23:

Mary Wells' "You Beat Me To The Punch" is released, 1962.

February 22:

"Come And Get These Memories," by Martha & the Vandellas, is released 1963. Original Supreme Florence Ballard dies 1976, at the age of 32.

February 21:

Marvin Gaye and "Little" Stevie Wonder square off in Motown's first "Battle Of The Stars" concert series at the Graystone Ballroom, Detroit, 1964.

February 20:

Supremes and Temptations Day: The Supremes perform "My World Is Empty Without You" and "Somewhere" on The Ed Sullivan Show, in 1966. "I'll Try Something New," a cover of the Miracles' hit by Diana Ross & the Supremes and the Tempations, is released 1969. The Tempts' "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)" hits No. 1 pop in 1971.

February 19:

A Day for Miracles: Smokey Robinson and Bobby Rogers share a birthday, 1940, and the group releases their debut single. "Got A Job," in the pre-Motown days, 1958.

February 18:

Bobby Taylor, future lead singer of the Vancouvers, is born in Washington, D.C. 1934. His next door neighbor would be Marvin Gaye. "Get Ready," by Rare Earth, a rock 'n' soul version of the Temptations' hit, is released 1970. "We Can Work It Out," by Stevie Wonder, is released 1971.

February 17:

"Rockin' Robin," by Michael Jackson, a cover of the fifties hit by Bobby Day, is released 1972.

February 16:

"Bernadette," by the Four Tops, is released 1967. "Up The Ladder To The Roof," by the Supremes, their first single without Diana Ross, is released 1970 and eventually hits the pop top 10.

February 15:

Brian Holland, Motown producer and songwriter, one-third of the H-D-H hit machine, is born 1941. He can be seen in the studio with the Supremems during the group's featured appearance on the ABC-TV special Anatomy of Pop, 1966.

February 14:

The Marvelettes appear on Hullabaloo, 1966. Ten years later the Commodores are in the Pop top five for the first time, with "Sweet Love."

February 13:

The Miracles' "You've Really Got A Hold On Me" is the No. 1 R&B chart record in the country.

February 12:

The Marvelettes are back in the pop top 10 in 1966, as "Don't Mess With Bill" is their biggest hit it years.

February 11:

Liz Lands, Motown's versatile pop-jazz-gospel-soul singer with an unmatched range, is born 1939.

February 10:

Junior Walker steps into Hitsville to record vocals for his hit, "Do You See My Love (For You Growing)" in 1970.

February 9:

"Hey Love," Stevie Wonder's classic ballad produced by his mentor Clarence Paul, is released 1967.

February 8:

A big release day for classic Motown: "The One Who Really Loves You," by Mary Wells is released, 1962; "Stop! In The Name Of Love," by The Supremes is released, 1965; "If You Can Want," by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles is released, 1968.

February 7:

Producer and songwriter Frank Wilson begins recording the Temptations' "All I Need," a top 10 smash in 1967.

February 6:

The Temptations, with David Ruffin on lead, record vocals for "I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)," a R&B Chart No. 1, 1968.

February 5:

Barrett "Money" Strong, Motown artist and songwriter/producer, is born 1941. "Nowhere To Run," by Martha & The Vandellas, is released 1965.

February 4:

Actress, singer and one-time Motown artist Barbara McNair dies, 2007.

February 3:

Singer/songwriter/producer Johnny Bristol (1939) shares a birthday with former Temptations lead singer Dennis Edwards (1943). "Jimmy Mack," a three-year-old "vault" track by Martha & the Vandellas, is released, 1967.

February 2:

"Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)," by the Four Tops, is released in 1966. Original Motown bandleader and pianist Joe Hunter dies, 2007.

February 1:

Rick James is born, 1948. "Laughing Boy," by Mary Wells is released 1963.

January 31:

"Jamie," by future H-D-H lyricist Eddie Holland is released, 1962. The Jackson 5's Motown debut, "I Want You Back" hits No. 1, 1970.

January 30:

In 1965, The Tempations' "My Girl" is the first No. 1 of Billboard's reintroduced R&B Charts, and spends six weeks at the summit.

January 29:

Gotta Hold On To This Feeling," by Jr. Walker & The All Stars, is released 1970.

January 28:

"This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You)" by the Isley Brothers, is released 1966. Four Tops play to 14,000 people at London's Royal Albert Hall, 1967. "My Cherie Amour," by Stevie Wonder, is released, 1969.

January 27:

"Superstition," the lead single from Talking Book, is No. 1, Stevie Wonder's first Pop No. 1 since "Fingertips Pt. 2."

January 26:

New Motown rock signing the Mynah Birds - singer Ricky Matthews a.k.a. Rick James, guitarists Neil Young and John Taylor, bassist Bruce Palmer and drummer Rickman Mason - overdub vocals for their debut Motown single, "It's My Time" backed with "Go On And Cry," in 1966. The tracks remain unreleased for 40 years.

January 25:

Marvin Gaye is in Studio A in 1965, recording vocal for “I’ll Be Doggone.” In 1968, Gladys Knight & the Pips release the single “The End Of Our Road.”

January 24:

Tammi Terrell is born 1945. Diana Ross takes “Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To?)” to No. 1, 1976.

January 23:

Levi Stubbs of the Four Tops records his lead vocal on the single "7 Rooms Of Gloom," 1967.

January 22:

Diana Ross & the Supremes open at London's Talk Of The Town nightclub. Stevie Wonder's "I Wish," the first single from his smash double-album Songs In The Key Of Life, hits No. 1, 1977.

January 21:

Despite misgivings from president Berry Gordy, Motown releases the new Marvin Gaye single, "What's Going On," in 1971. Six years earlier, in 1965, Smokey Robinson produces "Ooo Baby Baby." On the same day in 1987, Marvin and Smokey are inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And Edwin Starr is born, 1942.

January 20:

Stevie Wonder hosts a TV gala on the first official "Martin Luther King Day," a national holiday he helped create, 1986. "My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)" by David Ruffin is released 1969.

January 19:

White the Temptations perform "I Wish It Would Rain" on TV's Hollywood Palace in 1968, Stevie Wonder is back in Detroit recording his lead vocal for "For Once In My Life."

January 18:

David Ruffin, Temptations lead singer and solo star, is born 1941.

January 17:

The Supremes open the main room at the Roostertail, formerly the province of white "mainstream" acts, in a landmark appearance, 1965.

January 16:

Lionel Richie hosts the American Music Awards on ABC-TV, 1984. Katherine Anderson, original Marvelette and co-writer of "If I Were Your Woman" for Gladys Knight & The Pips, is born 1944.

January 15:

The Supremes sign to Motown in 1961, and four years later, in 1965, "Come See About Me" is their third straight No. 1. Stevie Wonder is busy recording his lead vocal for "Blowin' In The Wind" (1966) and "My Cherie Amour" (1968).

January 14:

Diana Ross makes her farewell appearance with the Supremes at the Frontier Hotel, Las Vegas, 1970. Hubert Johnson, bass singer for the Contours, best known for their two-time hit "Do You Love Me," is born 1941.

January 13:

Jr. Walker & The All Stars leap from the bars of Battle Creek, MI, when "Shotgun" is released, 1965.

January 12:

Berry Gordy signs an $800 loan agreement with Ber-Berry, the Gordy family co-op fund, to incorporate his Motown Record Company, 1959.

January 11:

Producers-songwriters Holland-Dozier-Holland put the finishing touches on the Supremes’ “Stop! In The Name of Love,” which becomes their fourth consecutive Pop No. 1, 1965.

January 10:

Martha Reeves records her lead vocal on the Vandellas’ single “I Promise To Wait My Love,” 1968.

January 9:

The Temptations’ “The Way You Do The Things You Do,” their soon-to-be-breakout hit, is released 1964.

January 8:

Juanita (Wyanetta) Cowart, an original member of the Marvelettes is born 1944.

January 7:

Marvin Gaye performs “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” on ABC-TV’s Hollywood Palace in 1969.“Mama’ s Pearl” by the Jackson 5 is released 1971.

January 6:

Marvin Gaye’s newest single of 1964 is “You’re A Wonderful One.” In 1969,
Diana Ross & the Supremes follow up the No. 1 “Love Child” with “I’m Livin’ In Shame,” which heads to the top 10.

January 5:

Motown’s first single release of 1965: “Ask The Lonely” by the Four Tops.

January 4:

Motown releases the classic Martha & the Vandellas ballad, “My Baby Loves Me,” in 1966.

January 3:

With Marvin Gaye producing, the Originals finish recording “Baby, I’m For Real” in 1969.

January 2:

“Twenty-Five Miles,” co-written by singer Edwin Starr, is released in 1969. A year later the Supremes record “Up The Ladder To The Roof,” their first hit with Jean Terrell singing lead.

January 1:

“I Heard It Through The Grapevine,” a Marvin Gaye album track, is now the hottest single in the country – the first Pop No. 1 of 1969.