Motown Museum

Famous Detroiters

Famous people tied to this place 16

Lexicon entries for the people who lived, worked, performed or liked to spend time here.

• Michael Jackson 1958–2009 · singer, songwriter, dancer

  Recorded here

  Motown's first headquarters and Studio A, where the Jackson 5 made their first Motown recordings; since 1985 the Motown Museum, which received his fedora and glove in 1988.

• Stevie Wonder born 1950 · singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer

  Recorded here

  Where he auditioned in 1961 and recorded his early hits. Motown's first headquarters and Studio A on West Grand Boulevard; since 1985 the Motown Museum.

• Diana Ross born 1944 · singer, actress

  Recorded here

  As teenagers the Primettes came here daily to help on sessions; the Supremes recorded their 1960s hits in Studio A. Now the Motown Museum.

• Marvin Gaye 1939–1984 · singer, songwriter, producer

  Recorded here

  Motown's Studio A, where he cut his 1960s hits and, in 1970–71, the What's Going On album. Now the Motown Museum.

• Neil Young born 1945 · singer, songwriter, guitarist, filmmaker

  Recorded here

  Where the Mynah Birds cut their unreleased Motown sessions in 1966. Motown's first headquarters and Studio A on West Grand Boulevard; since 1985 the Motown Museum.

• Smokey Robinson born 1940 · singer, songwriter, record producer, record executive

  Recorded here

  Where the Miracles recorded and where he wrote and produced for other Motown acts. Motown's first headquarters and Studio A on West Grand Boulevard; since 1985 the Motown Museum.

• Rick James 1948–2004 · singer, songwriter, producer

  Recorded here

  Motown's Detroit headquarters and studio, where the Mynah Birds recorded in 1966 and where he worked as a writer-producer in 1968.

• Gladys Knight born 1944 · singer, actress

  Recorded here

  Motown's Detroit studio complex during the group's Motown years, when “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” was made. Now the Motown Museum.

• Jackie Jackson born 1951 · singer, songwriter

  Recorded here

  The Jackson 5 auditioned here on July 23, 1968, and recorded in Studio A in early 1969. Now the Motown Museum.

• Marlon Jackson born 1957 · singer, dancer

  Recorded here

  The Jackson 5 auditioned here on July 23, 1968, and recorded in Studio A in early 1969. Now the Motown Museum.

• Berry Gordy born 1929 · record executive, producer, songwriter, film producer

  Founded

  The house he bought in 1959 and turned into Motown's headquarters and Studio A; opened as the Motown Museum in 1985.

• Mary Wilson 1944–2021 · singer, author

  Recorded here

  Motown's studio, where the Supremes hung around until they were signed and later cut their hits; now the Motown Museum.

• Florence Ballard 1943–1976 · singer

  Recorded here

  Motown's studio, where the Supremes auditioned and recorded their hits with her; now the Motown Museum.

• Lamont Dozier 1941–2022 · songwriter, record producer, singer

  Worked here

  Motown's headquarters and Studio A, where Holland–Dozier–Holland wrote and produced their hits. Now the Motown Museum.

• Martha Reeves born 1941 · singer, former Detroit City Council member

  Recorded here

  She began here as a secretary in the A&R department and recorded the Vandellas' hits in Studio A. Now the Motown Museum.

• Jimmy Ruffin 1936–2014 · soul singer

  Recorded here

  Motown's Detroit studio, where he sang on sessions and recorded his solo hits. Now the Motown Museum.