Motown

Billy Arnold played drums behind several Motown recordings including those with saxophonist, Junior Walker. While he often played a Gretsch kit, Billy never fussed about having to set up his kit in the recording studio and gained a reputation for using the drums that were already set-up. After serving in the United States Army, Billy moved to Springfield, Massachusetts and hit the night clubs in the area and on up to Boston where he played with a long list of jazz musicians and singers. Billy is also a sought after drum teacher who has developed several methods that he uses for st

Jack Ashford played percussion as a member of the famed Funk Brothers, the house band for Motown Records beginning in the 1960s.  Jack’s unique approach to the tambourine soon resulted in his growing reputation for adding special layers to the music.  As a member of the Funk Brothers, he recorded several hundred hit records, which he continued to do even outside of Motown as he became in demand.  Among the noted tambourine driven songs he recorded are “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” by Stevie Wonder and “War” by Edwin Starr.

Tony Bongiovi opened Power Station Studios in New York in the early 1970s, which helped define a few eras of recordings. The studio, which became a mainstay in the industry, was created after Tony worked for Motown for several years and recorded the likes of Jimi Hendrix. Tony also designed several products based on his knowledge of sound including medical devices. In recent years, Tony designed a new studio, Power Station Florida, located in Pompano Beach.

Mel Brown didn’t have the money growing up to afford drum sticks so he used rolled up newspapers to bang out a beat nearly everywhere he went. At the age of 17, young Mel was playing in area night clubs. While attending Portland State University (on a full scholarship), he met Marvin Gaye while the soul star was performing as part of a Motown live review. After touring with the jazz organist Earl Grant, Mel landed a gig on the 1968 television program “TCB,” which was a Motown program.

Earl Bryant has enjoyed a long career in the music business with a good many years related to artists within the Motown family.  As a concert manager, Earl has worked with Smokey Robinson for many years and has many fond memories of working with the legendary singer and songwriter performing all over the world.  Earlier in his career, Earl worked with Motown founder Berry Gordy, who Earl refers to as the Chief.    

Dennis Coffey was a member of the studio musicians at Motown known as the Funk Brothers. Dennis recorded a string of hits with the group in the 1960s and 70s. He later joined the songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland when they formed the record company Hot Wax. Dennis’ guitar skills can be heard on such classics as “Cloud Nine” and “Ball of Confusion” (The Temptations), “War” (Edwin Starr) and “Band of Gold” (Freda Payne). Using innovative effects pedals such as the Wah-Wah, Dennis carved a niche for himself with his unique style, which led to work in the movies (Black Belt J

Christy Coobatis is a college music professor whose amazing musical journey includes playing professionally before he was a teenager, beta testing guitars for Leo Fender, and helping to create a guitar synthesizer for Allan Holdsworth! Christy’s latest and longest tenure as a teacher has been at MiraCosta College in Oceanside California, where he started in 2000. He grew up in Dearborn, Michigan, taking lessons at one music store in town and teaching at another. In elementary school, he played at the local fair and at 12 he was wearing a tuxedo and playing in a wedding band!

Lamont Dozier was one of the most successful songwriters in popular music history.  From 1962-1967 he teamed with Brian and Eddy Holland to write a string of impressive hit records for Motown Records, 25 of which hit number one on the Billboard Record Charts!  Their list of hits includes “Baby Love” by the Supremes, “(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave” by Martha and the Vandellas, “How Sweet It is (To Be Loved By You) by Marvin Gaye, “Mickey’s Monkey” by Miracles, “Reach Out I’ll Be There” by the Four Tops, “This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You) by the Isley Brothers, and “Band of Gold

Leroy Emmanuel often shares a telling story about his musical heritage—his parents met in their school band, both playing the violin. Born in Georgia, he moved to Detroit at the age of eight, where he was mesmerized by a local guitarist. Determined to follow his passion, he collected cans and bottles until he saved enough money to purchase his first guitar, a Stella from a pawn shop, for $17. By age 12, he was playing the blues at a hotel restaurant, earning a humble $2, a hamburger, and a cola. Those modest beginnings laid the foundation for a legendary career.

Eddie Holland gained worldwide fame as a Motown Record’s songwriter and music publisher along with his brother Brian. Eddie was also a recording artist who performed the chart-topping hit “Jamie” in the early 1960s. During the same time he penned a string of hits for some of the biggest names in soul music, many of which have had crossover covers over the last 40 years. The brothers were interviewed together for the NAMM Oral History project and remarked on more than one occasion that they felt blessed to remain strong as brothers and as a songwriting team after so many years.  

Brian Holland and his brother Eddie are among the most popular songwriting teams in the history of popular music! For decades they have created the words and music to Motown’s classic sound that has forever changed the way people dance, fall in love and celebrate life. The key to their success as Brian put it during their interview together, “We balance each other and watch out for each other. We never stop being brothers and that has proven to be a blessing!” The Holland Brothers represented a younger voice when they joined the ranks of the music publishers in the 1960s and they

Paul Hostetter’s career as a luthier dates back to 1963, although his passion for music may have been born when he was. He started by giving guitar lessons before he began building instruments. Paul played on recording sessions for Motown, including on hits with his personal friend, Marvin Gaye. His role as a pioneering luthier led to several designs and models being named after him, such as Santa Cruz Guitar’s H Model!  Throughout his long career, Paul enjoyed instrument repair perhaps more than any other element because, “it gives me the chance to put a guitar back in the game o

Clayton Ivey is proud to have been the first white producer to sign exclusively with Motown Records. As a result of his work at Motown (which was located in Los Angeles at that time), Clayton worked with legends such as Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, the Commodores and the Supremes, among others. He later produced records with Hank Williams Jr., Roy Orbison, Wayne Newton and John Kay. As a studio musician he played on all of Toby Keith's #1 records, numerous Chet Atkins and Ronnie Milsap recordings and such on hits as "Patches (Clarence Carter)," "Baby Don't Get Hooked On Me" (Mac

McKinley Jackson’s impressive discography includes his studio work as a trombonist as well as his songwriting and arranging for Motown, Hot Wax and other labels. His band, The Politicians, not only performed live and cut a now famous self-titled album and can be heard on “She’s Not Just Another Women” by 100 Proof.  McKinley began arranging while at Motown in the 1960s, where as a trombonist he can be heard on countless hits (his first was “Ooo Baby Baby”). When the songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland left Motown to form Hot Wax Records, McKinley was asked to join them as a

Reggie McBride picked up the phone in 1973 only to hear the voice of Stevie Wonder inviting the young musician to join him at the Record Plant recording studio in New York City. The project was an album called Fulfillingness’ First Finale, which was the beginning of many projects with Stevie.

Tony Newton was nicknamed “Baby Funk Brother” by the original studio musicians at Motown Records where he began working in 1964. His first session with the Funk Brothers was the song “Baby Love” by the Supremes, which was released on the album Where Did Our Love Go. Tony’s long career in music took off when he played bass for iconic blues performers such as T-Bone Walker and John Lee Hooker. Those gigs gained the attention of Motown and soon Tony found himself working with such artists as Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and young Michael Jackson. He toured with many of the label’s

Bob Olhsson started as a mastering intern at Motown Records in the mid-1960s, when he was still a teenager.  His long and innovative career as an engineer has included several historic projects including albums with Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye.  After moving from Detroit to San Francisco, Bob focused on the rock bands of the 1970s, working with the Grateful Dead and Harmonica Mundi, among others.  Since 1977, Bob has been a proud member of AES and has provided several presentations to encourage younger generations to learn the art of recording engineering.

Phil Ranelin stood in line at school to pick an instrument for band. He really wanted the saxophone but when he got to the head of the line all the saxophones were gone and he was given a trombone. It was not his first choice, but he grew to love the instrument and in fact made it his own over the years by establishing his own unique sound. He helped redefine jazz in the 1960s and 70s with his band The Tribe and performed with a long list of innovative musicians including Freddie Hubbard and Wes Montgomery.

Paul Riser Sr. was given important musical training when he was in school, which helped set the direction of his career as a trombonist and later as an arranger. He was hired as a trombonist to join the famous studio musicians at Motown Records. He soon began arranging charts for the group and assisting in writing songs. He contributed to the Jimmy Ruffin hit “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted” and his trombone can clearly be heard on the Temptations' million-seller “My Girl.” He arranged Diana Ross’ “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” as well as the Temptations' “Papa Was a Rolling S

Sylvester Rivers has applied his musical talents to thousands of hit recordings over the years as well as music for television and motion pictures. His list of credits includes several categories as pianist, arranger, and musical director. The list of iconic performers he has worked with is just as impressive and yet at the very center of these accomplishments is a gentle and giving soul who loves making music. His friendly personality and talents as a musician may explain why so many people want to work with him. He is dedicated to his craft and works hard to provide programs tha

Smokey Robinson!  The man changed popular music!  He brought a common, streetwise approach to his lyrics, which were embraced by millions of people the world over who related to his messages of longing, love and second chances.  Smokey conveyed in words and music what many of us felt and wanted to say in his same compelling and heartfelt ways.  Like many beloved artists, Smokey let all of us in on his own emotions and by doing so gave us the chance to love, cry and cheer in a new and powerful way.  And his humble and sincere manner in which he receives the praise of so many proves

Warren Roché met Michael Thomas in the sixth grade where they were studying the trumpet. Both went on to studio careers and together they formed a valve oil company (Roché-Thomas) to make a little money on the side. Both men also played in the band that performed with Lou Rawls. That gig provided Warren the opportunity to work with HB Barnum, who arranged for Warren to conduct shows for Don Ho, and introduced him to studio work in Los Angeles. Warren’s trumpet can be heard on over a thousand recordings including those on the Motown label and such 1970s hits as Barry White’s “Can’t

Nate Watts grew up in Detroit, Michigan when Motown was in full swing, and it proved to be a major inspiration for the bass legend. In 1974 Nate was summoned by Stevie Wonder to join his band and his first recording session with Stevie was on the classic album Songs In The Key of Life. Nate has been with Stevie as bass player and musical director ever since. Other notable artists Nate has been involved with include: Sergio Mendes, The Jacksons, The Pointer Sisters, Seals and Crofts, Diana Ross, Paul McCartney, and many more. Nate enjoys regular visits to the NAMM Show to check out

Norman Whitfield Jr grew up surrounded by music. His father was the noted songwriter, Norman Whitfield, who penned such classic hits as “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”, “Just My Imagination”, “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone”, and the disco era hit “Car Wash”. Norman Whitfield Jr followed in his father’s footsteps by having a big impact on music behind the scenes. He honed his engineering and producing skills while working on several products with his father including albums with The Temptations. He later branched out on his own and produced several albums with 2Pac including “Keep Ya

Allee Willis wrote a number of successful songs that have become part of the fabric of pop music. Allee either wrote or co-wrote songs such as “September” by Earth Wind & Fire, the theme for the sitcom Friends entitled “I’ll Be there for You,” the Broadway musical The Color Purple, and "Neutron Dance" among many others. She has also been heavily involved with technology and in fact was creating interactive social media experiences on the Internet as early as 1991. As an artist and set designer, Allee has worked with many other performers over the years to create art in many fo

Stevie Wonder has earned the title of the "Mayor of the NAMM Show" for his countless visits to the show floor over the years.  He has become an important part of the music products industry not only in promoting new technologies, but in working with companies to design and improve instruments.  Among the products he helped create was a synthesizer for musicians with blindness, that was engineered by Ray Kurzweil.  Stevie has also participated in the Breakfast of Champions sessions and NAMM's music education initiatives.

Terry Woodford would often sing along as a child while his grandfather played the Steel Guitar. In addition to his early connection with music, Terry was fascinated by the process of recording music, even as a kid. His grandfather also had a wire recorder and they spent hours recording and then listening to themselves. While in college he met David Hood and the two formed a band together about the time Rick Hall opened FAME Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals. Terry began writing songs, which Rick would record as demos in the hopes of having artists hear and record the songs themse