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Quiz about The Motown 25 Yesterday Today Forever Special

The "Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever" Special Quiz

The "Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever" television special aired on NBC on May 16, 1983. This special was a music concert honoring the contributions of Motown Records.

A multiple-choice quiz by workisboring. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
workisboring

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
383,422

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
349

Awards
Top 10% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Who served as the host of the television special? Hint

Berry Gordy

Dick Clark

Richard Pryor

Suzanne de Passe

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Question 2 of 10

2. The first performance on the show was a reunion of which legendary Motown group? Hint

The Elgins

The Primes and the Primates

Smokey Robinson and the Miracles

The Funk Brothers

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Question 3 of 10

3. After a video clip of a 1963 performance of the hit "Fingertips", which singer came onstage and rocked the show with a medley of his hits? Hint

Rick James

Eddie Kendricks

Ray Charles

Stevie Wonder

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which two musical groups performed in a "Battle of the Bands" showcase? Hint

The Four Tops and The Spinners

The Four Tops and The Temptations

The Contours and The Temptations

The Funk Brothers and The All-Stars

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Question 5 of 10

5. Marvin Gaye played the piano and gave a passionate speech about the history of black music. After the speech, Marvin Gaye sang which of his songs? Hint

Let's Get It On

Sexual Healing

What's Going On

I Heard It Through the Grapevine

6. Howard Hesseman and Tim Reid reprised their roles as disc jockeys from the television show "WKRP in Cincinnati". The two characters introduced several former Motown records artists allowing them to perform thirty seconds of their signatures songs. Which artist wasn't introduced in this segment? Hint

Edwin Starr

Junior Walker

Martha Reeves

Mary Wells

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Question 7 of 10

7. Did Lionel Richie reunite and perform with his former group, the Commodores, on the show?

Yes

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Question 8 of 10

8. The Jackson 5 performed a medley of their hit singles. After the set, Michael Jackson performed which one of his solo hits? Hint

Bad

Billie Jean

Thriller

Rock with You

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Question 9 of 10

9. During the special, Smokey Robinson performed two hits of the Miracles with which singer? Hint

Linda Rondstadt

Gladys Knight

Claudette Robinson

Bette Midler

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which act reunited to perform the final set of the special? Hint

Gladys Knight & the Pips

Diana Ross and the Supremes

The Velvelettes

New Edition

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Who served as the host of the television special?

Answer: Richard Pryor

Richard Pryor gave an opening monologue at the beginning of the show. Pryor also introduced segments, presenters and musical acts during the show.

2. The first performance on the show was a reunion of which legendary Motown group?

Answer: Smokey Robinson and the Miracles

Smokey Robinson and the Miracles performed together for the first time since Smokey Robinson left the group in 1972. They performed a medley of their hits "Shop Around", "You've Really Got a Hold on Me", "The Tears of a Clown" and "Going To A Go-Go".

3. After a video clip of a 1963 performance of the hit "Fingertips", which singer came onstage and rocked the show with a medley of his hits?

Answer: Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder was accompanied onstage by his band and his backup singers. They performed a medley of his hits "I Wish", "Uptight (Everything's Alright)", "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours", "You Are the Sunshine of My Life", "My Cherie Amour" and "Sir Duke".

4. Which two musical groups performed in a "Battle of the Bands" showcase?

Answer: The Four Tops and The Temptations

The Four Tops and The Temptations conducted a "Battle of the Bands" showcase in which the groups performed simultaneously on stage. The groups took turns dancing and singing one of their signature songs.

5. Marvin Gaye played the piano and gave a passionate speech about the history of black music. After the speech, Marvin Gaye sang which of his songs?

Answer: What's Going On

Marvin Gaye sang his 1971 hit "What's Going On" on the special. This would be one of Gaye's last public appearances as he was murdered by his father a year after the special was recorded.

Answer: Edwin Starr

Martha Reeves played a segment of her hit single "Heat Wave". Mary Wells then played a segment of he single "My Guy". Junior Walker played a segment of his single "Shotgun". Edwin Starr did not appear on the special.

7. Did Lionel Richie reunite and perform with his former group, the Commodores, on the show?

Answer: no

Lionel Richie performed his 1982 single "You Mean More To Me" in a pre-taped segment on the show. The rest of Richie's former group, the Commodores, performed thirty seconds of their 1977 single "Brick House" on the show.

8. The Jackson 5 performed a medley of their hit singles. After the set, Michael Jackson performed which one of his solo hits?

Answer: Billie Jean

Michael Jackson performed his 1983 smash hit single "Billie Jean" on the special. The single was the current number one hit on the United States Billboard Hot 100 when the special was taped. During this performance, Michael Jackson first performed his signature dance move, the moonwalk, for the first time.

9. During the special, Smokey Robinson performed two hits of the Miracles with which singer?

Answer: Linda Rondstadt

Smokey Robinson and Linda Rondstadt performed a medley of the songs "Ooo Baby Baby" and "The Tracks of My Tears". Smoky Robinson and the Miracles recorded these songs for Motown Records in the 1960s while Linda Rondstadt recorded these songs for Asylum Records in the 1970s.

10. Which act reunited to perform the final set of the special?

Answer: Diana Ross and the Supremes

Diana Ross came to the stage and sang her solo hit "Ain't No Mountain High Enough". Then Supremes members Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong joined Ross on stage to perform their songs "Baby Love" and "Stop! In the Name of Love". The entire cast joined the divas on stage to perform the Supremes' song "Someday We'll Be Together" to end the show.

Source: Author workisboring

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