Motown Pleasure Trivia Quiz

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.

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.

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."

Answer: Pucker Up Buttercup

"Pucker Up Buttercup" was written by Johnny Bristol, Harvey Fuqua and Danny Coggins and charted #31 on the Pop chart. The other songs were written by Holland-Dozier-Holland, though "How Sweet It Is" and "Come See About Me" both were covers. "Road Runner" was the only Holland-Dozier-Holland song that was originally recorded by Jr. Walker & The All Stars

Answer: The Monitors

Street was lead singer of the Monitors. The group had only one minor hit, "Greetings, This Is Uncle Sam". He replaced Paul Williams in 1972 and so became a member of The Temptations.

Answer: Ball Of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today)

"Ball Of Confusion" and "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep" are the only two non-album singles by The Temptations. Both hit #3 on the Pop chart. "Run Away Child, Running Wild" was featured on the album "Cloud Nine", "My Baby" on "Temptin' Temptations" and "Don't Let The Joneses Get You Down" on "Puzzle People".

Answer: Smokey Robinson

They all wrote songs for the Supremes. Holland-Dozier-Holland with songs like "Love Is Here And Now You're Gone", "Baby Love" and "Forever Came Today", The Clan with "I'm Livin' In Shame" and "Love Child" and Fuqua, Bristol and Beavers with "Someday We'll Be Together".

Answer: Pamela Sawyer

The Corporation was intended as a replacement for Holland-Dozier-Holland, who left Motown in 1967. The Corporation wrote songs for The Jackson 5 like "I Want You Back", "Maybe Tomorrow" and "The Love You Save". The four members were Deke Richards, Freddie Perren, Alphonzo Mizell and Motown founder Berry Gordy.

Answer: Get Ready

"Get Ready" peaked at #29. When Norman Whitfield's "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" made it to number #13, Berry Gordy assigned Whitfield as the main producer for The Temptations. However, a cover version by another Motown act, Rare Earth, made it into the top 5 on the Pop charts in 1970, peaking at #4.

Answer: Jean Terrell

At the time Ross left, Ballard already was fired from the Supremes. Tammi Terrell never was a member of the Supremes and Cindy Birdsong was background singer. Jean Terrell sang lead on songs like "Up The Ladder To The Roof", "Stoned Love" and together with founding member of the Supremes Mary Wilson on "Floy Joy".

Answer: It Takes Two

The song reached #14 on the Pop chart. The others songs were hits too, but Gaye sang "You're All I Need To Get By" with Tammi Terrell, "Once Upon A Time" with Mary Wells and "You Are Everything" with Diana Ross.

Answer: Gotta Hold On To This Feeling

The song is a love song about the pleasant feeling the narrator feels when he's with his girl. The song reached #21 on the Pop chart and just missed the top of the R&B chart, peaking at #2.

Answer: The Love I Saw In You Was Just A Mirage

This one is tricky. The first single released by The Miracles was "Got A Job". However, they changed their name into Smokey Robinson & The Miracles in 1965 with the release of the "Going To A Go-Go" album, but the release of their singles was still under the name "The Miracles".

It was in 1967 when their first single was released under their new name and that song was "The Love I Saw In You Was Just A Mirage".

Answer: Papa Was A Rolling Stone

"Papa Was A Rolling Stone" was a huge hit and did reach the top on the Pop chart. It was the fourth and last #1 Pop single for the Temptations. On the R&B chart, however, it reached only #5.

Answer: Martha & The Vandellas

They sang background vocals on "Stubborn Kind Of Fellow", "Hitch Hike" and "Pride And Joy". When their song "(Love Is Like A) Heatwave" charted at #4 on the Pop chart, they themselves were huge stars and did not have to sing background vocals anymore.

Answer: The Temptations

This one is tricky too. The original version is recorded by The Temptations, but the title of their rendition is of course "Lonely, Lonely Man Am I". The song is co-written by Temptations member Eddie Kendricks.

Answer: 7-Rooms Of Gloom

This song is written by Holland-Dozier-Holland. The song was released in 1967 and started a long series of songs not to reach the top ten on the Pop chart. It reached #14.

Answer: Whisper You Love Me Boy

"Strange Love" and "Laughing Boy" were released at the beginning of her career. After "Whisper You Love Me Boy", Mary Wells left Motown and signed a contract with 20th Century Fox.

Answer: Every Little Bit Hurts

This song charted at #13 on the Pop chart and was written by Holloway herself. "You've Made Me So Very Happy" reached #2 on the Pop chart, but that wasn't her rendition of the song. Blood, Sweat & Tears covered it and made it a huge hit. "Every Little Bit Hurts" has also been covered by Alicia Keys.

Answer: Forget Me Not

"Forget Me Not" just reached the top 100 in the US, peaking at #93. However, it was a huge hit in the UK and reached #11 there. "I Can't Dance To That Music You're Playing" didn't reach the top 40 in the US nor the UK. "I'm Ready For Love" reached the top 40 in both countries. "Wild One" only reached the top 40 in the US, peaking at #34.