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Coffee Break

Coffee Break: Motown

Motown group The Four Tops perform their hit single, "Standing in the Shadows of Love." on the British television program 'Ready Steady Go', on Nov. 17, 1966. Left to right: Levi Stubbs, Renaldo Obie Benson, Lawrence Payton, Abdul Duke Fakir.
Motown group The Four Tops perform their hit single, "Standing in the Shadows of Love." on the British television program 'Ready Steady Go', on Nov. 17, 1966. Left to right: Levi Stubbs, Renaldo Obie Benson, Lawrence Payton, Abdul Duke Fakir.BIPS/Getty Images

by Anna Reed

November 28, 2017

Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records, turns 88 today. We have Gordy and Motown Records to thank for bringing to the masses an entire new genre of music.

Gordy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988, was the first living individual to receive the Songwriters Hall of Fame's Pioneer Award in 2013, and in 2016 received the National Medal of Arts from President Obama for "helping to create a trailblazing new sound in American music" and helping "shape our Nation's story".

So for the 9:30 Coffee Break, what Motown songs do you want to hear?

Respond with your song ideas in the comments below.

Have an idea for a Coffee Break topic? Submit your idea for a future theme and browse past Coffee Breaks in our archive.

Songs played

Diana Ross and the Supremes - Someday We'll Be Together
The Temptations - The Way You Do the Things You Do
Jackson 5 - I Want You Back
Erykah Badu - Didn't Cha Know
Smokey Robinson and the Miracles - Shop Around
Stevie Wonder - Sir Duke
The Four Tops - I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honeybunch)
Marvelettes - Please Mr. Postman
Thelma Houston - Don't Leave Me This Way