What was the Motown charm school?
What was the Motown charm school?
From 1964 to 1969, Powell ran Motown’s in-house “charm school,” a mandatory course of instruction in proper sitting, standing, eating, dressing, chatting with fans, responding to reporters and every other act of public deportment that might make or break a Motown star.
Who ran Motown’s in-house charm school?
Motown’s Charm School | Dangerous Minds. For five years the gracious Maxine Powell ran the only in-house finishing school at any American record label. Most people have probably never heard of Powell, who died this week, but music fans have unknowingly enjoyed her handiwork at Motown since the ’60s.
What was finishing school for Motown?
In 1964, Motown founder Berry Gordy’s sister, Gwen Gordy Fuqua, a top Powell model, convinced Gordy to establish a Powell finishing school for Motown talent. Powell taught Marvin Gaye posture and how to sing with his eyes open.
What did Maxine Powell do for Motown?
Maxine Powell (May 30, 1915 – October 14, 2013) was an American etiquette instructor and talent agent. She taught grooming, poise, and social graces to many recording artists at Motown in the 1960s.
How was Motown like an assembly line?
Gordy conceived of a record company that worked like an assembly line – a factory of talent that housed under one roof writers, producers, musicians, quality control, artist development, sales and marketing.
Which of the following were part of Motown’s Funk Brothers?
| The Funk Brothers | |
|---|---|
| Members | NARAS membership Richard “Pistol” Allen Jack Ashford Bob Babbitt Benny Benjamin Eddie “Bongo” Brown Johnny Griffith Joe Hunter James Jamerson Uriel Jones Joe Messina Earl Van Dyke Robert White Eddie Willis |
Do finishing schools still exist?
Due to its location and scenery, lifestyle, political stability, and multilingualism, Switzerland has been home to some of the best finishing schools in the world. Today, only one remains still.
Where did Motown come from?
Detroit, Michigan, United States
Motown/Place founded
Motown, in full Motown Record Corporation, also called Hitsville, recording company founded by Berry Gordy, Jr., in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., in January 1959 that became one of the most successful Black-owned businesses and one of the most influential independent record companies in American history.
Are any Funk Brothers still alive?
Benjamin died in 1969. Allen succumbed to cancer in 2002 shortly after completing production on the Funk Brothers documentary “Standing in the Shadows of Motown.” Just four Funk Brothers are alive now. Jones is survived by his wife, June, and three children.
What was Motown’s studio called?
Hitsville West studio
Following mainstream success in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Gordy moved the label to Los Angeles and established the Hitsville West studio there, as a part of his focus on television and film production as well as music production.
What was the Motown charm school? From 1964 to 1969, Powell ran Motown’s in-house “charm school,” a mandatory course of instruction in proper sitting, standing, eating, dressing, chatting with fans, responding to reporters and every other act of public deportment that might make or break a Motown star. Who ran Motown’s in-house charm school? Motown’s…