Hitsville U.S.A.

“Smokey” Robinson. After being turned away by Jackie Wilson’s manager, a dejected Smokey Robinson was heading back to his car and Berry Gordy stopped him and told him he liked the songs they were auditioning (Gordy 90-92, Posner23-25). After more conversation Berry discovered that Smokey had written over 100 songs and Berry ask to look and critique them, leading to a lifelong business and friendship between the two. This meeting would actually lead to the development of Motown Records, with Smokey Robinson becoming an integral part of the story. After receiving a mere $3.19 royalty check from his songwriting, Berry is told by Smokey Robinson that if that’s all you are making you might as well start your own company (Hirshey 133). The light is turned on in Berry’s mind as he begins to formulate a plan to own his own company and be able to distribute his own records. The plan of entrepreneurial ship cannot be executed without money, so Berry enlisted his family for a loan to start his own company. The Berry family has a savings club and after a family vote, it is decided unanimously that he will receive $800.00 dollars to begin (Gordy 104-108, Posner 32-33). Plans are now in motion and the history of Motown Records is now in effect. Eventually, numerous factors combine to initiate the development of Motown Records culminating into a group of artists that cohesively establish the unique and influential sound. The future Motown artists were also mostly from Detroit and the…

4.1 When I finally left home I realized how closed off I was to the rest of the world around me. With little diversity and culture represented in my Massachusetts home; it was a bit of a culture shock arriving in New York City. Here; different cultures are represented, various opinions are presented, and social norms are rejected. With this refreshing outlook on life, I believe it is necessary to get outside of your comfort zone and become aware of your surroundings. Back in my home town of…

American musician and songwriter Bruce Springsteen is considered to be one of America’s most talented rock artists. Much of his music consists of working class values and American culture. He rose to fame with his 1975 album Born to Run and became an even bigger sensation nine years later with his seventh album, Born in the USA. The album featured seven top 10 hits such including “Dancing in the Dark”, “Glory Days”, and “Born in the USA”. The album would go on to reach up to fifteen times…

1. Rushed (Current Bank Experience) My first experience with selecting my current bank draws back to my first day at university. I created an account, on paper, at a tent during the welcome week celebration. The experience was quite rushed and informal. I had numerous questions and concerns. I have never had to deal with my own finances before, and I was quite nervous. However even though the rushed process, the bank was quite accredited and well-known so I didn 't mind and felt safe inputting…

1. Interview After having an interesting interview with Vanessa Hernandez, a Mexican student at Durham Tech in the library on October 20th, I understood more about the culture as well as food of Mexican people. First, when we were talking about Mexican culture, I realized that Mexican culture and Vietnamese culture have some common values. Vanessa was born in Michivacan, Mexico. When she talked about most of the population in her hometown were Christian, I was thinking about the movie “Conquest…

I am from Lynn a place where there are different people surrounding you. I am from Lynn a place where everyone is accepted I am from Lynn a place where you can either get your education or face the streets I am from Lynn where the shots are silent and the tragic becomes nothing the next day The streets of Lynn are stereotyped as “ghetto” because of the drugs, the gangs and the low income we have in the community. There are used needles, condoms, and cigarello wrappers on the ground But, the…

“30 million people receive help from the Salvation Army last year”. (The Salvation Army USA) The Salvation Army is made to help all kinds of people in many different ways. They have programs that can help adults get back on their feet, help elderly get the help or love the need, and help the homeless find food and shelter. They also help combat human trafficking and help families reunite with each other. The Salvation Army is designed to help women, men and children get they need in times of…

Poverty and human suffering has always been in the world. The Salvation Army has been one of the organization that has made a difference in social welfare, urban poverty, and teaching better lifestyles. Significant information collected through Salvation Army’s annual reports, scholarly journal articles and other articles is to provide a current review on how this organization have become successful and maintain its ‘success. A historical background expresses the beginning of the Salvation…

roll. Many first-generation rockers produced some of their best work in the early '60s -- the Everly Brothers, the Drifters, Ray Charles. Additionally, this period produced music that eventually landed each of the following acts in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: the Beach Boys, Booker T. & the MG's, Dion & the Belmonts, the Four Seasons, Brenda Lee, Roy Orbison, Gene Pitney, Del Shannon, the Shirelles, and Phil Spector. Berry Gordy launched the Motown label in 1959, the dawn of the Dark Ages,…

The Impact Of Motown Motown is one of the most influential music genre. Motown wasn’t just music that was fun to listen to. It helped with the civil rights movement, and It also had crossover success. Motown was founded in the 50s when there was a lot of racism. The creator of Motown Berry Gordy’s main ambition was to produce the sound of young America no matter what color. Berry Gordy, who is the father of Motown tried many occupations like a boxer, a record store owner, and even an auto…