  Chuckjav Member Username: Chuckjav Post Number: 308 Registered: 09-2007 |
Dec. 28, 1967 It was my sister's 13th birthday; a bunch of us hopped on the bus, got our transfers, and headed down Woodward for The Fox Theatre. I'd heard of the Motortown Revue; never thought I'd actually see one in-person. We didn't have reservations; it was not a will-call situation...how the hell it was possible to purchase same-day tickets, I'll never know. Five dollars got each of us into that show - incredible. The concert featured several Motown acts, and the hilarious Willie Tyler and Lester - just like on television! I'll bet that was the happiest birthday my sister ever had; as for me, a star-struck 10 year-old, it was a night I'll never forget. | ||
Neilr Member Username: Neilr Post Number: 600 Registered: 06-2005 |
The Motortown Reviews were the best deal in town! They would run for 10 days or 2 weeks during the holiday season and the acts would change at midpoint during the run. Several of the years that I attended, Little Stevie Wonder was the headliner. I saw Gladys Knight & the Pips when their Heard It Through the Grapevine first came out. Compared to the Temptations, the Pips weren't all that polished. When they came back the following year, they were much more in sync (but still no match to the Temptations). Actually, the Motortown Review was the second best deal in town. The WCHB Christmas Party, also at the Fox, was only $2, IIRC. | ||
Detroit313 Member Username: Detroit313 Post Number: 538 Registered: 02-2006 |
Wow.... I wish there was something like that when I was growing up in the D. All we had was a perv called Robert Kelly! <313> | ||
Mallory Member Username: Mallory Post Number: 213 Registered: 05-2006 |
I worked with Willie Tyler's brother Henry for a couple of years. Great guy. Does anyone know if any of the Motortown Review shows were ever recorded for an album? | ||
The_ed Member Username: The_ed Post Number: 883 Registered: 10-2007 |
I remember going to what they called the Motown Revue at the Fox. We saw Marvin Gaye, Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, The Marvelettes, Smoky Robinson and his Miracles,....I think the Supremes were there, too. | ||
Neilr Member Username: Neilr Post Number: 602 Registered: 06-2005 |
Ed, the official name was the Motortown Review; but everybody refered to it as the Motown Review. It was put on by Motown Records. | ||
Chuckjav Member Username: Chuckjav Post Number: 310 Registered: 09-2007 |
Mallory....There is a multi CD set available; released about five years ago. You can order it through Amazon or Alibris for about $65 brand new - a lot less for a used copy. | ||
14509glenfield Member Username: 14509glenfield Post Number: 1352 Registered: 05-2006 |
There was an "LP" "Four Tops...Live at the Roosetail". Yes the Night Club...late 60's...I sold the darn thing long time ago. Probably out of context in this thread, but did it ever make it to a tape or preferably CD? Any help is appreciated. Thank You. | ||
Chuckjav Member Username: Chuckjav Post Number: 313 Registered: 09-2007 |
14509glenfield....there might be something here: http://www.musicstack.com/albu m/four+tops/live | ||
D2dyeah Member Username: D2dyeah Post Number: 83 Registered: 09-2005 |
The audiences were sometimes better dancers than the Motown acts!! | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 5600 Registered: 11-2003 |
jjaba recently went on the Hitsville Museum Tour. The tour guide was a young man with tremendous polish and showmanship. He kept us interested in such a small place for 2 hrs. Everyobdy with an interest should take the time to visit. They even stage roll plays in the studio, with an opportunity to act and sing like Marvin Gaye or Little Stevie, or Martha Reeves. The guests tend to be 50 yrs. or older and are very knowledgable about the Motown era in Detroit. Always, somebody knows somebody and there are guests who atually grew up in the inner city. Lovely experience. jjaba, Westsider. | ||
Mallory Member Username: Mallory Post Number: 215 Registered: 05-2006 |
Jjaba hit the nail on the head. It is a great place to visit if you're not looking for a finely polished museum. I used to go there alot when Brother John Knowles was curator at the time (late 80's early 90's) It's too bad that Motown (even Berry Gordy) would rather see that precious history rot instead of putting some dollars behind a REAL Motown museum. Could be a fantastic attraction for Detroit. Still, if you have family visiting and they are fans (like who isn't), take a trip to the little house on West Grand Blvd. |
