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Motown - Hitsville U.S.A. Trivia Quiz

If you were anywhere around Detroit in the 60s and early 70s, this should be a breeze.

A multiple-choice quiz by LeeRoyBoy. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
LeeRoyBoy

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
171,035

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
3518

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 136 (8/10), Hayes1953 (9/10), Guest 107 (6/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Who recorded "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life" in 1972? Hint

Marvin Gaye

Smokey Robinson

Stevie Wonder

Berry Gordy

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. What was the first #1 hit for the Motown family, according to Billboard Magazine's pop chart? Hint

"Mickey's Monkey"

"The way you do the things you do"

"Baby Love"

"Please Mr. Postman"

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. Besides the Motown label, Berry Gordy owned three other prominent record labels in the 60's. Can you name them? Hint

Tamla, Gordy, and Blue Note

Tamla, Berry, and Go-Go

Tamla, Gordy, and Soul

Gordy, Berry, and Soul

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. Who wrote most of the 60's hits for The Supremes and The Four Tops (among many others)? Hint

Eddie Holland and Smokey Robinson

Barrett Strong

Eddie and Brian Holland

Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. Berry Gordy was the founder and president of Motown, but did not write or perform any of the music.

True

False

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. Who recorded "Bernadette"? Hint

The Temptations

Four Tops

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes

The Spinners

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. Everyone knows that Diana Ross was the lead singer of The Supremes, later achieving superstardom as a solo act. But can you name the other two ORIGINAL members of the group? Hint

Mary Ballard and Florence Wilson

Mary Wilson & Florence Ballard

Martha Reeves and Mary Wilson

Kim Weston and Tammi Terrell

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. The Temptations continue to perform and produce great music on into the 21st Century. Can you name the two men who handled most of the lead singing chores in the 60's? Hint

Eddie Kendricks & Major Lance

David & Jimmy Ruffin

David Ruffin & Eddie Hendricks

Jimmy Soul & David Ruffin

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. The All-Stars, backup band on many of Motown's early hits, finally broke through with a hit of their own, "Shotgun", in 1965. Name the leader of this talented aggregation. Hint

Junior Walker

Junior Jones

Junior Wells

Junior Warner

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Let's go back to Martha and the Vandellas. What was the surname of the young man named Jimmy, who Martha wished would "hurry back", in 1967? Hint

Mack

Jack

Black

Quack

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Most Recent Scores

Apr 16 2024 : Guest 136: 8/10
Apr 14 2024 : Hayes1953: 9/10
Apr 12 2024 : Guest 107: 6/10
Apr 08 2024 : Guest 86: 8/10
Apr 04 2024 : Guest 69: 9/10
Apr 03 2024 : Guest 86: 7/10
Apr 03 2024 : golfnut66: 5/10
Mar 30 2024 : Alliebaba777: 4/10
Mar 27 2024 : Guest 149: 8/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Who recorded "You Are The Sunshine Of My Life" in 1972?

Answer: Stevie Wonder

Stevie's inspiration was Ray Charles.

2. What was the first #1 hit for the Motown family, according to Billboard Magazine's pop chart?

Answer: "Please Mr. Postman"

By the Marvelettes, 1961. "Please Mr. Postman" has been covered many times over the years, including versions by The Beatles and The Carpenters. Devotion to accuracy department: "Please Mr. Postman" was issued on the Tamla label (a subsidiary of Motown), while the first #1 pop hit to actually bear the Motown label itself was "My Guy" by Mary Wells in 1964.

3. Besides the Motown label, Berry Gordy owned three other prominent record labels in the 60's. Can you name them?

Answer: Tamla, Gordy, and Soul

Each label had their own stable of acts and writers.

4. Who wrote most of the 60's hits for The Supremes and The Four Tops (among many others)?

Answer: Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland

The blockbuster songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland was responsible for a lot of great songs coming out of Motown in the 60's.

5. Berry Gordy was the founder and president of Motown, but did not write or perform any of the music.

Answer: False

Berry Gordy, among his many other talents was listed as writer or co-writer on many early Motown hits. He also penned "Lonely Teardrops" for the legendary Jackie Wilson.

6. Who recorded "Bernadette"?

Answer: Four Tops

The Four Tops began singing together in the late fifties.

7. Everyone knows that Diana Ross was the lead singer of The Supremes, later achieving superstardom as a solo act. But can you name the other two ORIGINAL members of the group?

Answer: Mary Wilson & Florence Ballard

Martha Reeves, of course, led her own great group, the Vandellas, while Kim and Tammi, in addition to being top singers on their own, sang hit duets with Marvin Gaye.

8. The Temptations continue to perform and produce great music on into the 21st Century. Can you name the two men who handled most of the lead singing chores in the 60's?

Answer: David Ruffin & Eddie Hendricks

Between 1964-1968, Hendricks and Ruffin provided inspired vocal leads on such classics as "My Girl" and "Since I Lost my Baby". Sadly, we have lost both these talents, David in 1991 and Eddie is 1992. Jimmy Soul, Jimmy Ruffin (David's brother) and Major Lance each scored big hits of their own in the 60's.

9. The All-Stars, backup band on many of Motown's early hits, finally broke through with a hit of their own, "Shotgun", in 1965. Name the leader of this talented aggregation.

Answer: Junior Walker

Saxophonist extrordinaire, Junior Walker and his All Stars also scored with "Road Runner" and "What does it take?".

10. Let's go back to Martha and the Vandellas. What was the surname of the young man named Jimmy, who Martha wished would "hurry back", in 1967?

Answer: Mack

Martha Reeves was discovered by Motown executive William Stevenson while performing at the "20 Grand" night club in Detroit.

Source: Author LeeRoyBoy

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Dalgleish before going online.
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