Motown Weekend

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

Best Of Radio 2 Live, Stevie Wonder

20060102

20190825 (R2)

Stevie Wonder recorded live in concert for Radio 2 at Abbey Road studios in 2005.

BBC Radio 2 celebrates the 60th Birthday of Motown Records!

Can't Slow Down: Johnnie Walker Meets Lionel Richie

20120407

20131116 (R2)
20190827 (R2)

Another chance to hear Johnnie Walker interview Lionel Richie at the piano in the BBC's Maida Vale studios. In a wide-ranging conversation, beginning with his early days in Tuskegee, Alabama, Lionel takes Johnnie through his life in music.

Lionel remembers forming The Commodores, signing to Motown, and their success with sales of over 75 million records worldwide, from funky hits such as Machine Gun and Brick House, onto the beautiful ballads Easy, Three Times A Lady and Still.

Songwriting commissions were to follow: Lady for Kenny Rogers and an Oscar and Golden Globe nomination for Endless Love, his duet with Diana Ross. This ultimately, led to a solo career, and worldwide fame. Never one to miss out on a golden opportunity, Motown boss Berry Gordy 'encouraged' Lionel to branch out.

And so he did, producing hit after hit, from Truly, You Are, All Night Long, Hello, Running With The Night, and Say You, Say Me, for which he won the Oscar for Best Original Song. In between those hits he also co-wrote We Are The World with Michael Jackson, which raised funds for the victims of famine in Africa, and earned him the Humanitarian Award from Harvard University.

Lionel discusses reforming The Commodores, a group he didn't really want to leave in the first place. But his latest release re-visits 13 of his greatest hits as duets, with guest performers including Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers, Darius Rucker, and Shania Twain. The country-based album is called Tuskegee, which brings us full circle and back to his Alabama home.

His energy and love for music continue to inspire, as this interview explains why the legendary artist 'Can't Slow Down'.

Johnnie Walker interviews Lionel Richie in the BBC's Maida Vale studios.

BBC Radio 2 celebrates the 60th Birthday of Motown Records!

Motown Covered With Ken Bruce

20190826

Ken Bruce brings you the best of today's soulful artists performing Motown tracks live from the Radio 2 Piano Room. Plus famous names from the label and beyond pick their favourite Motown tracks and more, in highlights from some special Tracks Of My Years.

The likes of Mike & The Mechanics, Emeli Sande, Jack Savoretti, Ward Thomas, James Morrison, Lissie, Michael Ball and Grace Carter talk about the influence of the label on their careers and play exclusive covers on the grand piano which Sir Elton John personally delivered to Radio 2, to inspire artists and thank Radio 2 for their support over 40 years.

Michael McDonald, Lionel Richie, Ed Sheeran, Mick Hucknall, Hall & Oates and Holland Dozier Holland also feature in our Tracks Of My Years archive highlights.

Motown cover versions at the Radio 2 Piano and favourite choices presented by Ken Bruce.

BBC Radio 2 celebrates the 60th Birthday of Motown Records!

Motown Loves Northern Soul

20190826

Richard Searling is one of the founding fathers of Northern Soul from being one of the resident DJ's at Wigan Casino to the now Legendary Blackpool Tower.

In this 60th anniversary year of the founding of Motown records by Berry Gordy in Detroit, Richard highlights the foundations of Northern Soul and the connection with Motown from the 60's with familiar floor packers and rare new discoveries from the Hitsville USA vaults

Richard Searling highlights the foundations of Northern Soul and connections with Motown.

BBC Radio 2 celebrates the 60th Birthday of Motown Records!

Motown On The Mersey

20070306

20190825 (R2)

Another chance to hear Craig Charles celebrate the heyday of Liverpool's Mardi Gras club, which in the 1960s played host to high-calibre black performers such as Ben E King, Al Green , Arthur Conley , Clyde McPhatter and the Chants, and aspiring locals such as the Vocal Perfection (later the Real Thing). The club became the music mecca for a postwar generation of white and black lovers of the Stax sound.

Recalling the glory days of the Mardi Gras are singer Geno Washington , Eddie and Chris Amoo (of the Real Thing), trumpeter Kenny Ball , journalist Paul Du Noyer and Tamla Nights comperes Billy Butler and Chris Wharton.

Another chance to hear Craig Charles celebrate the heyday of Liverpool's Mardi Gras club.

BBC Radio 2 celebrates the 60th Birthday of Motown Records!

Motown Top 100 Countdown With Craig Charles - Part 1

20190826

To celebrate the 60th year of a record company which has had more American Number Ones than The Beatles, Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones and The Beach Boys combined, the Official Charts Company have compiled the official Top 100 Motown tracks for BBC Radio 2, based on all time downloads and streams.

Craig Charles starts proceedings by playing highlights from 100-40 and then begins counting down the Top 40, accompanied by the writers, producers and the artists themselves, talking about the Tamla Motown Sound, the special values and family at Hitsville USA and how they wrote and recorded the classic songs and albums that made Detroit a world famous music location.

As you would imagine, all your favourite artists will feature – Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, The Temptations and The Four Tops as well as more recent Motown successes such as Rockwell, Shanice, Ne-Yo and Boyz II Men.

Craig Charles starts Top 100 Countdown to celebrate Motown's 60th year

BBC Radio 2 celebrates the 60th Birthday of Motown Records!

As you would imagine, all your favourite artists will feature - Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, The Temptations and The Four Tops as well as more recent Motown successes such as Rockwell, Shanice, Ne-Yo and Boyz II Men.

Motown Top 100 Countdown With Trevor Nelson - Part 2

20190826

Trevor Nelson continues counting down the Top 40, accompanied by the writers, producers and the artists themselves, talking about the Tamla Motown Sound, the special values and family at Hitsville USA and how they wrote and recorded the classic songs and albums that made Detroit a world famous music location.

Trevor Nelson continues the Top 100 Countdown to celebrate Motown's 60th year.

BBC Radio 2 celebrates the 60th Birthday of Motown Records!

The King Of Motown, Berry Gordy

20090106

20190824 (R2)

Even with all the famous names associated with Motown, such as Smokey Robinson, Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie and Stevie Wonder, one would still have to acknowledge that its founder, Berry Gordy Jr. is the is the man who sums up what the record label has been all about.

From the late 1950s to 1988, when he sold out to MCA, Berry Gordy was the controlling force behind a label that revolutionised the way black pop music was written, recorded, marketed and distributed all around the world. And it was always a family affair - his sisters and brothers were involved in running the business; the artists also took a hand; and the creative meetings at Motown were run through a sort of democratic autocracy.

Marshall Chess tells the story of Berry and the Motown 'family'. The documentary first broadcast in January 2008. Contributors include Motown artists Smokey Robinson; Sylvester Potts (The Contours); Tommy Good; Martha Reeves; Gloria Jones (The Velvelettes); Uriel Jones, one of the Funk Brothers who played drums on classic Motown recordings; Funk Brother and arranger Paul Riser; writer/producer/engineer Clay McMurray; former Motown President Skip Miller; writer/producer Robert Bateman; and one of the first Motown A&R men, William 'Mickey' Stevenson.

Marshall Chess tells the story of Berry Gordon Jr. and the Motown 'family'.

BBC Radio 2 celebrates the 60th Birthday of Motown Records!

Episodes

Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
Best Of Radio 2 Live, Stevie Wonder	20060102	20190825 (R2)	Stevie Wonder recorded live in concert for Radio 2 at Abbey Road studios in 2005. BBC Radio 2 celebrates the 60th Birthday of Motown Records!
Can't Slow Down: Johnnie Walker Meets Lionel Richie	20120407	20131116 (R2) 20190827 (R2)	Another chance to hear Johnnie Walker interview Lionel Richie at the piano in the BBC's Maida Vale studios. In a wide-ranging conversation, beginning with his early days in Tuskegee, Alabama, Lionel takes Johnnie through his life in music. Lionel remembers forming The Commodores, signing to Motown, and their success with sales of over 75 million records worldwide, from funky hits such as Machine Gun and Brick House, onto the beautiful ballads Easy, Three Times A Lady and Still. Songwriting commissions were to follow: Lady for Kenny Rogers and an Oscar and Golden Globe nomination for Endless Love, his duet with Diana Ross. This ultimately, led to a solo career, and worldwide fame. Never one to miss out on a golden opportunity, Motown boss Berry Gordy 'encouraged' Lionel to branch out. And so he did, producing hit after hit, from Truly, You Are, All Night Long, Hello, Running With The Night, and Say You, Say Me, for which he won the Oscar for Best Original Song. In between those hits he also co-wrote We Are The World with Michael Jackson, which raised funds for the victims of famine in Africa, and earned him the Humanitarian Award from Harvard University. Lionel discusses reforming The Commodores, a group he didn't really want to leave in the first place. But his latest release re-visits 13 of his greatest hits as duets, with guest performers including Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers, Darius Rucker, and Shania Twain. The country-based album is called Tuskegee, which brings us full circle and back to his Alabama home. His energy and love for music continue to inspire, as this interview explains why the legendary artist 'Can't Slow Down'. Johnnie Walker interviews Lionel Richie in the BBC's Maida Vale studios. BBC Radio 2 celebrates the 60th Birthday of Motown Records!
Motown Covered With Ken Bruce	20190826		Ken Bruce brings you the best of today's soulful artists performing Motown tracks live from the Radio 2 Piano Room. Plus famous names from the label and beyond pick their favourite Motown tracks and more, in highlights from some special Tracks Of My Years. The likes of Mike & The Mechanics, Emeli Sande, Jack Savoretti, Ward Thomas, James Morrison, Lissie, Michael Ball and Grace Carter talk about the influence of the label on their careers and play exclusive covers on the grand piano which Sir Elton John personally delivered to Radio 2, to inspire artists and thank Radio 2 for their support over 40 years. Michael McDonald, Lionel Richie, Ed Sheeran, Mick Hucknall, Hall & Oates and Holland Dozier Holland also feature in our Tracks Of My Years archive highlights. Motown cover versions at the Radio 2 Piano and favourite choices presented by Ken Bruce. BBC Radio 2 celebrates the 60th Birthday of Motown Records!
Motown Loves Northern Soul	20190826		Richard Searling is one of the founding fathers of Northern Soul from being one of the resident DJ's at Wigan Casino to the now Legendary Blackpool Tower. In this 60th anniversary year of the founding of Motown records by Berry Gordy in Detroit, Richard highlights the foundations of Northern Soul and the connection with Motown from the 60's with familiar floor packers and rare new discoveries from the Hitsville USA vaults Richard Searling highlights the foundations of Northern Soul and connections with Motown. BBC Radio 2 celebrates the 60th Birthday of Motown Records!
Motown On The Mersey	20070306	20190825 (R2)	Another chance to hear Craig Charles celebrate the heyday of Liverpool's Mardi Gras club, which in the 1960s played host to high-calibre black performers such as Ben E King, Al Green , Arthur Conley , Clyde McPhatter and the Chants, and aspiring locals such as the Vocal Perfection (later the Real Thing). The club became the music mecca for a postwar generation of white and black lovers of the Stax sound. Recalling the glory days of the Mardi Gras are singer Geno Washington , Eddie and Chris Amoo (of the Real Thing), trumpeter Kenny Ball , journalist Paul Du Noyer and Tamla Nights comperes Billy Butler and Chris Wharton. Another chance to hear Craig Charles celebrate the heyday of Liverpool's Mardi Gras club. BBC Radio 2 celebrates the 60th Birthday of Motown Records!
Motown Top 100 Countdown With Craig Charles - Part 1	20190826		To celebrate the 60th year of a record company which has had more American Number Ones than The Beatles, Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones and The Beach Boys combined, the Official Charts Company have compiled the official Top 100 Motown tracks for BBC Radio 2, based on all time downloads and streams. Craig Charles starts proceedings by playing highlights from 100-40 and then begins counting down the Top 40, accompanied by the writers, producers and the artists themselves, talking about the Tamla Motown Sound, the special values and family at Hitsville USA and how they wrote and recorded the classic songs and albums that made Detroit a world famous music location. As you would imagine, all your favourite artists will feature – Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, The Temptations and The Four Tops as well as more recent Motown successes such as Rockwell, Shanice, Ne-Yo and Boyz II Men. Craig Charles starts Top 100 Countdown to celebrate Motown's 60th year BBC Radio 2 celebrates the 60th Birthday of Motown Records! As you would imagine, all your favourite artists will feature - Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, The Temptations and The Four Tops as well as more recent Motown successes such as Rockwell, Shanice, Ne-Yo and Boyz II Men.
Motown Top 100 Countdown With Trevor Nelson - Part 2	20190826		To celebrate the 60th year of a record company which has had more American Number Ones than The Beatles, Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones and The Beach Boys combined, the Official Charts Company have compiled the official Top 100 Motown tracks for BBC Radio 2, based on all time downloads and streams. Trevor Nelson continues counting down the Top 40, accompanied by the writers, producers and the artists themselves, talking about the Tamla Motown Sound, the special values and family at Hitsville USA and how they wrote and recorded the classic songs and albums that made Detroit a world famous music location. As you would imagine, all your favourite artists will feature – Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, The Temptations and The Four Tops as well as more recent Motown successes such as Rockwell, Shanice, Ne-Yo and Boyz II Men. Trevor Nelson continues the Top 100 Countdown to celebrate Motown's 60th year. BBC Radio 2 celebrates the 60th Birthday of Motown Records! As you would imagine, all your favourite artists will feature - Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Marvin Gaye, The Jackson 5, The Temptations and The Four Tops as well as more recent Motown successes such as Rockwell, Shanice, Ne-Yo and Boyz II Men.
The King Of Motown, Berry Gordy	20090106	20190824 (R2)	Even with all the famous names associated with Motown, such as Smokey Robinson, Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie and Stevie Wonder, one would still have to acknowledge that its founder, Berry Gordy Jr. is the is the man who sums up what the record label has been all about. From the late 1950s to 1988, when he sold out to MCA, Berry Gordy was the controlling force behind a label that revolutionised the way black pop music was written, recorded, marketed and distributed all around the world. And it was always a family affair - his sisters and brothers were involved in running the business; the artists also took a hand; and the creative meetings at Motown were run through a sort of democratic autocracy. Marshall Chess tells the story of Berry and the Motown 'family'. The documentary first broadcast in January 2008. Contributors include Motown artists Smokey Robinson; Sylvester Potts (The Contours); Tommy Good; Martha Reeves; Gloria Jones (The Velvelettes); Uriel Jones, one of the Funk Brothers who played drums on classic Motown recordings; Funk Brother and arranger Paul Riser; writer/producer/engineer Clay McMurray; former Motown President Skip Miller; writer/producer Robert Bateman; and one of the first Motown A&R men, William 'Mickey' Stevenson. Marshall Chess tells the story of Berry Gordon Jr. and the Motown 'family'. BBC Radio 2 celebrates the 60th Birthday of Motown Records!