The Supremes and Sammy Davis Jr. (1962)

Motown Turns 50

Motown played a crucial role in American History. In the 1960's, Motown (named after the 'Motor Town' of Detroit) was the only African American run record label to have successful crossover stars. Motown girl group The Supremes appearing with Sammy Davis Jr on a television special, early 1960s. (Photo by Archive Photos/Getty Images)

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The Supremes and... Motown played a crucial role in American History. In the 1960's, Motown (named after the 'Motor Town' of Detroit) was the only African American run record label to have successful crossover stars. Motown girl group The Supremes appearing with Sammy Davis Jr on a television special, early 1960s. (Photo by Archive Photos/Getty Images)
The Supremes (19... Motown not only urged for racial equality, One of its most popular and revered groups, The Supremes helped to stride towards gender equality. Motown girl group The Supremes early 1960s, from left to right, Florence Ballard, Diana Ross and Mary Wilson. (Photo by Archive Photos/Getty Images)
The Temptations ... circa 1965: Tamla Motown soul vocal group The Temptations. Left to right: David Ruffin (1941 - 1991), Melvin Franklin (1942 - 1995), Eddie Kendricks (1939 - 1992), Paul Williams, and Otis Williams. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
The Miracles (19... 15th March 1965: Soul pop singer and songwriter Smokey Robinson, front, and his band The Miracles, who include Smokey's wife Claudette, disembarking from an aeroplane. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)
The Supremes (19... Motown girl group The Supremes performing mid 1960s, from left to right, Cindy Birdsong, Diana Ross and Mary Wilson. Known for style, beauty and talent, the Supremes became one of Motown's most successful crossover artists. (Photo by Archive Photos/Getty Images)
The Supremes (la... American Motown band The Supremes, left to right, Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard (1942 - 1976) and Diana Ross arrive at London's Heathrow Airport. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)
The Four Tops (1... 8th November 1966: The Four Tops, one of Motown's most successful groups. (Photo by Harold Clements/Express/Getty Images)
The Four Tops (1... 17th November 1966: Motown group The Four Tops perform their hit single 'Standing in the Shadows of Love' on the British television programme 'Ready Steady Go'. (Photo by BIPS/Getty Images)
The Supremes (19... Top Motown soul pop group Diana Ross and the Supremes, left to right, Mary Wilson, Diana Ross and Cindy Birdsong, 1968. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
Mary Wilson (196... Lead singer of the Motown trio 'The Supremes' Diana Ross with Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong at the Royal Variety Performance in London. (Photo by Peter King/Getty Images)
Sammy Davis Jr. ... June 1969: American actor, singer and dancer Sammy Davis Jnr (1925 - 1990) driving a convertible. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)
Motown (1970) Detroit City centre. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
The Jackson Five... American soul pop group the Jackson Five, five brothers from Indiana who are signed to Berry Gordy's Motown record label. (Photo by Frank Barratt/Getty Images)
The Temptations ... 6th March 1973: Tamla Motown soul vocal group The Temptations in London. (Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)
The Spinners (19... American soul vocal group The Spinners (aka The Detroit Spinners) perform on the NBC TV show The Midnight Special, circa 1975. Left to right: Billy Henderson, Henry Fambrough, Bobbie Smith, Philippe Wynne (1941 - 1984) and Pervis Jackson, (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
The Spinners (19... American soul vocal group, The Spinners (aka The Detroit Spinners), 1977. Standing, left to right: Billy Henderson and Jonathan Edwards. Seated, left to right: Pervis Jackson, Bobbie Smith and Henry Fambrough. (Photo by Pictorial Parade/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Michael Henderso... American jazz-funk bassist and singer Michael Henderson, 1977. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Lionel Richie (1... Promotional portrait of American r&b and pop singer Lionel Richie, earl;y 1980s. (Photo by Motown Records/Courtesy of Getty Images)
Diana Ross (1983... American soul singer Diana Ross wearing a striped all in one outfit, 1983. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images)
Ike Turner (1985... American singer-songwriter and producer Ike Turner in an oriental outfit, 1985. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Jazzie B (1987) Singer and producer Jazzie B, best known for fronting Soul II Soul, late 1980s. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Mary Wilson (200... P367703 03: Singer Mary Wilson of the Motown group, The Supremes, talks about her career during a book tour for her updated autobiography 'Dreamgirl of Supreme Faith' April 14, 2000 in Los Angeles, Ca. (Photo by David McNew /Newsmakers)
Nile Rodgers (20... NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 7: Producer Nile Rodgers arrives at a screening of the film 'Standing in the Shadows of Motown' at the Apollo Theater November 7, 2002 in New York City, New York. (Photo by Lawrence Lucier/Getty Images)
Diana Ross (2008... OSLO, NORWAY - DECEMBER 11: Diana Ross performs at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert 2008 at the Oslo Spektrum on December 11, 2008 in Oslo, Norway. The Norwegian Nobel Committee yesterday awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2008 to Martti Ahtisaari for his efforts to resolve international conflicts. Actors Michael Caine and Scarlett Johansson hosted the gala event, which featured, performances by Ross, operatic quartet Il Divo and Swedish singer-songwriter Robyn. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Smokey Robinson ... NEW YORK - JUNE 02: Singer Smokey Robinson attends the Apollo Theater Fourth Annual Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Apollo Theater on May 2, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)