Motown Records
Of course, you’ve heard by now (or you already knew) that this is the city where Motown Magic started, a cultural mecca for musicians across the U.S (and the world) holding some of the most historic and meaningful musical tidbits from America’s past. The Motown Record Museum, otherwise known as ‘Hitsville USA’, was first founded in 1985. Hitsville USA is the nickname that easily formed for this spot, the first headquarters for Motown Records in history. You can find this museum on the corner of West Grand Boulevard, near the New Center Area, a former photographer's studio converted to ‘preserve, protect, and present the Motown Story’. Inside you will see a collection of the labels most popular artifacts, memorabilia, costumes, and photos, not to mention the onsite extras like Studio A and the upstairs flat in which this museum's (and labels) founder, Berry Gordy, lived with his family for so long.
Stepping inside this museum means stepping into an ‘era of music magic’, the entire museum a serious American musical history and culture goldmine. Over 10,000 guests per year from all around the world walkthrough here, learning about the legacy, charisma, talent, and ‘staying power’ of Motown and those who made it. You can get a guided tour while here and learn about Motown’s start and continuing successful talent, tour Studio A and see costumes from famous performers who recorded in here such as The Temptations, Four Tops, Miracles, and Supremes, and also look around Gordy’s flat upstairs and learn how he started this all with an $800 loan from his family. Before you go definitely make time to stop at the Motown Museum Store, a hip little shop full of Motown apparel, CDs, DVDs, and tons of educational and historical information. You can also pick up authentic Motown sheet music and songbooks here!
