Motown Music Trivia

1. What American all-female vocal group brought "Dancing in the Street" to number two on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1964?

From Quiz Song by Song: "Dancing in the Street"

Answer: Martha and the Vandellas

The song, after being released as a single in 1964, was included on the 1965 album "Dance Party," which was released on the Gordy (Motown) label. According to Rolling Stone magazine, the song was originally intended for - but turned down by - Motown singer Kim Weston.

From Quiz Song by Song: "Respect"

Answer: Otis Redding

At the age of two, Otis Redding moved to Macon, Georgia, and at 15, he dropped out of school to support his family as part of Little Richard's backing band. His first album, "Pain in My Heart," was released in 1964. "Respect" was included on his third studio album "Otis Blue" and was released in 1965 as a single with "Ole Man Trouble" on the B-Side. A cross-over hit, the song leaped from the Billboard's Black Singles Chart (where it hit the top five) to the white audience of pop radio.

From Quiz Motown (1965-69)

Answer: The Temptations

Written by Smokey Robinson and Ronald White, and with lead vocals by David Ruffin, "My Girl" reached the top of the Billboard chart in 1965 for the Temptations.

From Quiz Motown (1959-64)

Answer: The Miracles

The song was released in 1960 and reached number 2 in the Billboard chart. Smokey Robinson's wife Claudette, whom he married in 1959, was also a member of the Miracles at this time.

From Quiz Motown Pleasure

Answer: Rosalind Ashford

Betty Kelley was an original member, but when Annette Sterling left Martha & The Vandellas, Kelley replaced her and was a member of that group with Martha Reeves and Rosalind Ashford. Sandra Tilley was also member of the Velvelettes, but replaced Ashford in 1969. Carolyn Gill was also an original member of The Velvelettes.

From Quiz Great Soul Groups of the 60s

Answer: Sly and the Family Stone

Sly and the Family Stone were a rock band from San Francisco. Together from 1967 to 1983, they were pioneers, combining elements of funk, soul, and rock music as no band had before. Headed up by Sly Stone, along with several of his friends and family members, they were the first important multicultural rock band. Sly and his brother Freddie, saxophonist Jerry Martini, drummer Gregg Errico, trumpeter Cynthia Robinson, and bass player Larry Graham comprised the lineup; singer and keyboardist Rose Stone joined soon after. They recorded five top ten hits and four albums. In 1993 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

From Quiz Motown Mania

Answer: All I Need

This song is written by R. Dean Taylor, Eddie Holland and Frank Wilson and also produced by Wilson. Because Whitfield didn't produce this song, it didn't appear on the "Greatest Hits Vol. 2" album, where all the songs were Whitfield productions.

From Quiz Motown Music

Answer: "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours" by Stevie Wonder

"Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours" was featured on Stevie Wonder's album "Signed, Sealed & Delivered", which was released in 1970.

From Quiz Motown - Hitsville U.S.A.

Answer: Stevie Wonder

Stevie's inspiration was Ray Charles.

From Quiz Motown Memories IV

Answer: Carpenter

"If I Were a Carpenter" was a hit for The Four Tops in 1968. The song was written by folk singer Tim Hardin and originally recorded by Bobby Darin in 1966.

From Quiz Motown Memories III

Answer: Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder, born Steveland Judkins (which he later changed to Morris), hit the charts with "I Was Made to Love Her" in 1967. Stevie has had nine chart topping singles and sold more than 72 million albums. A multi-talented musician, Stevie not only writes and sings he also plays guitar, piano, drums, harmonica and synthesizer.

From Quiz More Motown Memories

Answer: Diana Ross

The Supremes were originally known as the Primettes. They released their first single with Motown in 1961. Diana Ross was soon thrust into the lead vocal role. She left the Supremes to go solo in 1969.

From Quiz Motown - Memories In Music

Answer: Supremes

The Supremes, formed in 1959, are said to be the world's most successful female group. Originally known as The Primettes, the early line-up was Diana Ross, Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson and Barbara Martin. Baby Love, released in 1964, is probably their most popular track.

From Quiz Song by Song: "Dancing in the Street"

Answer: Marvin Gaye

The song was co-written by Marvin Gaye, Ivy Jo Hunter, and William "Mickey" Stevenson. The single was released July 31, 1964 in the U.S. with "There He Is" on the B-side.

From Quiz Song by Song: "Respect"

Answer: Aretha Franklin's

Aretha Franklin recorded her version of "Respect" at Atlantic's New York studio on Valentine's Day in 1967. It was released as a single from her eleventh studio album "I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You." The song became her first number one hit, and it remained at number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for twelve weeks.

From Quiz Forever Motown

Answer: Collins English

The Collins English Dictionary printed its first edition in 1979 in Glasgow, Scotland. Currently there are twelve editions available, and they have also printed dictionaries in four other languages including German and Spanish.

From Quiz Motown (1965-69)

Answer: The Isley Brothers

"This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak For You)" was their only top 20 hit in the US for Motown, reaching number 12 on the Billboard chart. However, somewhat unusually for Motown acts, they had more success in the UK where they achieved four top 20 hits between 1966 and 1969, with "This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak For You)" being the highest placed at number three.

From Quiz Motown (1959-64)

Answer: Barrett Strong

One of Motown's earliest releases in the US, it reached number 23 on the Billboard chart in 1959. It was Motown's only UK release in 1960 where it failed make it into the charts; however a cover version by The Flying Lizards did reach number 5 in 1979.

From Quiz Motown Pleasure

Answer: For Once In My Life

"For Once In My Life" was written by Ron Miller and Orlando Murden. The original version of the song was recorded by Jean DuShon, a non-Motown artist. When Berry Gordy found out that Miller had given the song to an outside artist, Miller immediately had to make the song available for Motown artists. Though the song wasn't written or co-written by Cosby, he did produce the song in an upbeat tempo.

From Quiz Motown Mania

Answer: Martha & The Vandellas

It was the third hit for the group, eventually reaching number eight on the Billboard chart.

From Quiz Motown Music

Answer: "Treat Her Like a Lady"

"Treat Her Like a Lady" was released on the album, "Truly for You" in 1984. This song featured Ali-Ollie Woodson on lead vocals.

From Quiz Motown - Hitsville U.S.A.

Answer: "Please Mr. Postman"

By the Marvelettes, 1961. "Please Mr. Postman" has been covered many times over the years, including versions by The Beatles and The Carpenters. Devotion to accuracy department: "Please Mr. Postman" was issued on the Tamla label (a subsidiary of Motown), while the first #1 pop hit to actually bear the Motown label itself was "My Guy" by Mary Wells in 1964.

From Quiz Motown Memories IV

Answer: Smokey Robinson

Singer songwriter Smokey, born William Robinson, fronted the Miracles from 1955 to 1972. The Miracles 1960s hits includes "Shop Around" (1960), "The Tracks of My Tears" (1965) and "I Second That Emotion" (1967).

From Quiz Motown Memories III

Answer: Baby

"Too Busy Thinking 'bout My Baby" was a top-ten hit for Marvin Gaye in 1969. Born Marvin Pentz Gay Jr. in 1939, he recorded one of the finest soul albums "What's Going On" in 1971.

From Quiz More Motown Memories

Answer: Four Tops

The Four Tops hit the top with "Bernadette" in 1967. The "Tops", lead singer Levi Stubbs with Renaldo Benson, Abdul "The Duke" Fakir and Lawrence Payton have performed together for more than 40 years. Originally called The Four Aims, they were signed by Chess Records in 1956. The Four Tops joined Motown in 1963.

From Quiz Motown (1965-69)

Answer: Jimmy Ruffin

Jimmy Ruffin is the brother of the Temptation's David Ruffin, and he reached the top ten in both the US and UK with "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" on its release in 1966.

From Quiz Motown (1959-64)

Answer: The Marvelettes

In 1961 "Please Mr Postman" became Motown's first ever number 1 in the US. It was covered by the Beatles on their 1963 album "With the Beatles", along with two other Motown songs: Barrett Strong's "Money (That's What I Want)", and the Miracles' "You've Really Got a Hold on Me".

From Quiz Motown Pleasure

Answer: My Baby Must Be A Magician

With his low voice, Franklin speakes the first two verses, impersonating the magician: "You are under my power. It's the power of love."

From Quiz Motown - Hitsville U.S.A.

Answer: Tamla, Gordy, and Soul

Each label had their own stable of acts and writers.

From Quiz Motown Memories IV

Answer: I Was Made to Love Her

"I Was Made to Love Her" was a top-ten hit for Stevie Wonder in 1967. Stevie, born Steveland Hardaway Judkins, signed to Motown records when he was just eleven-years-old. He was originally billed as "Little" Stevie Wonder.

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