Invictus Records / Hot Wax Records

01 / The story of this place

Make time for these

After leaving Motown in a bitter split over royalties in 1968, the songwriting and production team of Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland launched their own labels, Invictus Records and its sister label Hot Wax Records, in Detroit in 1969. The company's administrative offices operated out of Cadillac Tower, a 40-story office building at Cadillac Square and Bates Street in downtown Detroit, one block from Woodward Avenue, while Holland–Dozier–Holland recorded much of their new material at a converted movie theater studio on Grand River Avenue. The labels scored hits with acts including Freda Payne, Chairmen of the Board, and the Honey Cone, keeping the Detroit soul sound alive after many of its Motown originators had moved to Los Angeles. Legal battles with Motown over royalties strained the new venture for years, and both labels wound down through the 1970s as the trio's partnership frayed; Dozier went on to a long solo songwriting and performing career. Cadillac Tower still stands in downtown Detroit today.

1. Founded in 1969 by Holland–Dozier–Holland after they left Motown
2. Administrative offices in downtown Detroit's Cadillac Tower
3. Hits included Freda Payne, Chairmen of the Board and the Honey Cone
4. Wound down through the 1970s amid legal disputes