Who was the first artist signed to Motown Records?

Record labels rise and fall in popularity, but few are afforded the legendary status of Motown Records. Founded in 1959 by Berry Gordy Jr in Detroit, the label brought soul music to the masses, producing hit singles by iconic artists like Stevie Wonder and Diana Ross.

Prior to Motown, soul music developed from gospel and R&B but was largely confined to local labels. Gordy, interested in music from a young age, began writing songs for leading soul artists and recording local talent. His first notable collaboration was in 1957 with Smokey Robinson and The Matadors.

After the song ‘Got A Job’ was leased to End Records, Gordy’s first official Motown release came with Marv Johnson’s ‘Come To Me.’ He pressed it under his new label, Tamla Records, which became Motown in 1960, leading to a prolific period.

By the late 1960s, Motown was a household name, known for groundbreaking artists like Marvin Gaye and The Supremes, contributing significantly to Black identity during the civil rights movement.

But who was the most successful artist on Motown?

Motown dominated charts, producing 110 top-ten singles in the US between 1961 and 1971. The most successful artist was Diana Ross, with 12 number-one hits with The Supremes and six as a solo artist. Stevie Wonder followed closely with eight number ones during his time at the label.