A half century ago, a Detroit autoworker named Berry Gordy started a record label that would, in just a few short years, become the pre-eminent soul music company in the world. Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the music and the legends of Motown with this photo gallery, complemented by stories from the people who made Motown "The Sound of Young America," as told exclusively to Spinner.



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Abdul "Duke" Fakir is the only surviving member of the original Four Tops, which had comprised the same four singers for a staggering 43 years, since 1954. The Tops, who had 24 Top 40 hits, including a pair of No. 1's, were selected for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's Class of 1990. Fakir still tours with a new version of the group.


William "Mickey" Stevenson was Motown's A&R director from the record label's early days through the mid-'60s. He wrote and produced hits for Motown artists including Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, the Four Tops, and Martha and the Vandellas before leaving the label in 1967.



Otis Williams is the last survivor of the classic Temptations roster of the mid-'60s and has been with the group since their start in 1960. He joined his fellow Tempts -- who scored 35 Top 40 hits, topping the charts four times -- into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. Williams still performs with the current version of the group.


Mary Wilson is a founding member of the Supremes and the only consistent one throughout the trio's 18-year history, which started in 1959. Her vocal talents grace 33 Top 40 hits, including 12 No. 1 singles. The lineup of Wilson, Diana Ross and the late Florence Ballard were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.

Abdul "Duke" Fakir is the only surviving member of the original Four Tops, which had comprised the same four singers for a staggering 43 years, since 1954. The Tops, who had 24 Top 40 hits, including a pair of No. 1's, were selected for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's Class of 1990. Fakir still tours with a new version of the group.


William "Mickey" Stevenson was Motown's A&R director from their early days through the mid-'60s. He wrote and produced hits for Motown artists including Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, the Four Tops, and Martha and the Vandellas before leaving the label in 1967.



Otis Williams is the last survivor of the classic Temptations roster of the mid-'60s and has been with the group since their beginning in 1960. He joined his fellow Tempts -- who scored 35 Top 40 hits, topping the charts four times -- into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. Williams still peforms, with the current version of the soul quintet.


Mary Wilson is a founding member of the Supremes and the only consistent one throughout the trio's 18-year history, which started in 1959. Her vocal talents grace 33 Top 40 hits, including 12 No. 1 singles. The lineup of Wilson, Diana Ross and the late Florence Ballard were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.