The background to African American music is based on segregation. White America knew little or nothing of African-American music particularly the blues. It took British white bands such as The Stones to introduce this music to white American kids, covering artists such as Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, Jimmy Reed and Howlin Wolf.

Motown was a different type of African-American music and quickly if not immediately became part of mainstream 60's American, indeed global music.

The distinctive sound of Motown, developed by Berry Gordy and based in Detroit, brought this sound to the ears of millions. Brilliant session musicians who never received proper reward, and a team of excellent song writers such as Holland-Dozier-Holland and Smokey Robinson produced songs which sold millions and developed acts which were at the forefront of 60's and 70's American music. These included, The Supremes, Four Tops, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations amongst many others.

The songs also more latterly reflected the rising tensions within the USA at the time for example race riots and the Vietnam war. A notable example is Marvin Gaye's What's Going On.

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3 years ago