I’m old enough to remember watching the “Motown 25” special as it originally aired on TV.
The celebration of the pioneering record label founded by Berry Gordy was a big deal. 25 years after its inception, its artists were still topping the charts-Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Rick James, DeBarge, Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson were all still red hot. Even though several of those performers-Gaye, Ross, and Jackson chief among them-had left the label, they were once and forever will be identified with Motown.
While the show is probably best-remembered as the precise point when Michael Jackson launched himself into the stratosphere via a sizzling performance of “Billie Jean,” the moonwalk wasn’t “Motown 25″‘s only high point. There was a mock “battle of the bands” between The Temptations and The Four Tops, a saucy bump ‘n grind starring Ross and new wave star Adam Ant, and Gaye’s last-ever televised performance. Reunions of The Supremes and the original Jackson 5 were the icing on the cake.
Stunningly, “Motown 25” has never been available on DVD (although a VHS version was in circulation for years.) Well, that’s about to change. “Motown 25″ will be released in several iterations on September 30th.
-A single disc version containing the special.
-A 3-disc version, containing the special and over 6 hours of extras.
-A 6-disc whopper of a version, containing unaired footage and tons of extras, including 9 featurettes and a series of interviews/vignettes including:
“Signed, Sealed, Delivered – The Making of Motown 25”, which tells the behind-the-scenes story of the making of the program, and offers new insights into the rise of Motown and its roster of super stars.
“What’s Going On: Marvin Gaye”
“Come and Get These Memories: Inside Hitsville”
“Dancing In The Street: History of Motown” and more
Rare footage of Marvin Gaye ad-libbing at the piano prior to a soulful version of “What’s Going On”
Stevie Wonder rehearsal footage
A 2-Part Motown 25 Performers Roundtable featuring Smokey Robinson and Duke Fakir (Four Tops), Otis Williams (The Temptations) and Executive Producer Suzanne de Passe, taped at the location of the original concert, the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.
A “Yesterday Today Forever” Production Roundtable with Motown executive Suzanne de Passe, Director/Producer Don Mischer and others.
Over 25 exclusive interviews with performers and crew, including Claudette Robinson (The Miracles), Martha Reeves (Martha & the Vandellas), Smokey Robinson, Nelson George, Gloria Jones, Adam Ant, Ashford and Simpson, Buz Kohan (Head Writer), David Goldberg (Executive in Charge of Production), Mickey Stevenson (Former Head of A&R/Songwriter), Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (Songwriters/Producers) and many more.
There’ll also be a reproduction of the show’s original program, and an exhaustive booklet detailing the show.
The single disc and 3-disc sets will be available via traditional means, but the 6-disc extravaganza will only be available for purchase here.
If you love pop culture, there’s NO reason why you shouldn’t have this in your possession.