An exhibition based on the music born from the heart and soul of Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records, is now open in Southeast D.C. “Motown DC,” which includes photos and memorabilia about legendary Motown artists, is at the Anacostia Arts Center until July 7. Beverly Lindsay-Johnson and Nikki Graves Henderson meticulously co-curated this exhibition.
Lindsay-Johnson is dedicated to ensuring accuracy with D.C.’s role in the history of R&B music. One of her passion projects has been the local television show “Teenarama,” a 1960s weekday program featuring Black teens dancing to the latest hits. “Motown DC” keeps Lindsay-Johnson on target for her mission.
“There are more than 90-plus photos of legendary Motown artists such as The Temptations, The Supremes, The Four Tops, Martha & The Vandellas, Marvin Gaye, The Velvelettes, The Marvelettes, Mary Wells, Stevie Wonder, and other music legends of Motown,” said Lindsay-Johnson. “Also on display are personal items on loan by several original Motown artists.”
A few historic Globe Posters promoting shows held in D.C. are on display. One poster at “Motown DC” is for the famous 1964 Motortown Revue, which is what a Motown tour was called back in the day.
How Do You Get to Motown
At a recent special event for “Motown DC,” several Motown veterans shared their stories during a panel discussion in collaboration with The African American Music Association.
Moderated by Dr. Nick of ATX Soul Radio, the panel included singer Carolyn Crawford, Louvain Demps, a Motown background singer with the Andantes, George Spann from The Dynamic Superiors, Joe Herndon with The Temptations, and Frank Hooker of The Young Senators.
The panel discussion was a great reunion of Motown alumni, and the audience loved it. Crawford and Demps came to Motown in the early 1960s. Both followed a similar response path Motown through an ad seeking singers and writers.
For Herndon, The Young Senators and The Dynamic Superiors, it was being in the right place at the right time and receiving recommendations from networking.
“On my 14th birthday, I recorded my first record with Motown, called ‘Forget About Me,” said Crawford, who composed that hit record. “I then negotiated my record deal directly with Gordy.”
The Dynamic Superiors from D.C. came to Motown, resulting from a last-minute booking for a convention in Atlanta before Christmas in 1972. That’s where they met Ewart Abner, a Motown executive.
“In two weeks, he called and flew us to L.A. to meet the Motown folks. Each group member had their own hotel suite for 10 days,” said Spann. “We were used to staying two or three to a room.”
Motown’s girl background group, The Andantes, began recording at Motown in 1962, recording nearly 25,000 songs.
Demps said, “We sang night and afternoon. We did not do a particular number of songs daily because we did them so fast.”
When Eddie Kendricks left The Temptations to pursue a solo career, he needed a band. He heard about D.C.’s popular band, The Young Senators.
“Kendricks was staying at the Watergate when we met with him,” said Hoover. “Eddie was traveling, and we were having a ball!”
Herndon, a member of The Temptations from 2003 to 2015, was a perfect example of networking. Ali-Ollie Woodson, a group member from 1984 to 1986, introduced Herndon to Otis Williams, the only still-living original member. Herndon came to the group as a bass vocalist reminiscent of original member Melvin Franklin.
“I was told to put your suit up because you’re going on tonight,” said Herndon. He was unsure if he knew those famous Temptation steps. “I realized by being backstage observing, I could probably fake it. But I was surprised that I knew that much.”
The “Motown DC” exhibition is funded by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.
The Anacostia Arts Center is located at 1231 Marion Barry Avenue SE. For more information, go to anacostiaartscenter.com.