Motown Museum

Name: Motown Museum
Address: 2648 W. Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI, 48208, US
Telephone: +13138752264
Price range: $
Rating: 4.8

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Motown Museum

Motown Museum—home of Hitsville U.S.A.—is the original birthplace of the Motown Sound. Motown Museum is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
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Visit us to take a tour of Studio A inside the house that rocked the world. Founded in 1985 by Esther Gordy Edwards—former Motown Records executive and sister to Motown founder, Berry Gordy—Motown Museum is home to iconic Hitsville U.S.A., Studio A, and an extensive array of Motown artifacts, photographs, apparel and memorabilia. Our Mission: To preserve, promote and celebrate the authentic Motown

Story as a platform for others to flourish as thinkers, creators, neighbors and entrepreneurs. Our Vision: That all generations will come to know, be inspired and transformed by the Legacy, Sound and the unparalleled cultural and social impact of Motown.

09/02/2026

Today, Motown Museum wishes a to Rosalind Ashford-Holmes, founding member of Martha & The Vandellas!

As a member of the iconic Motown vocal group, she sang behind Marvin Gaye on hits such as “Stubborn Kind Of Fellow,” toured with the Motortown R***e, and helped bring hit songs such as “Dancing In The Street,” “Come And Get These Memories,” “Heat Wave,” “Nowhere To Run,” and “Jimmy Mack” to life.

Join us in celebrating Rosalind Ashford-Holmes!

09/01/2026

Motown MIC returns for its 2026 Grand Finale! 🎤🔥

Join us Sunday, September 20, at “The Cube” inside the Max M. & Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center as 10 incredible poets take the mic and compete for the title of 2026 Motown MIC Artist of the Year.

10 poets, one winner, and a night of spoken word you don’t want to miss!

🎟️ Tickets are available now on Eventbrite: http://motownmic2026.eventbrite.com/

This program is made possible with support from:
W.K. Kellogg Foundation | Ford Philanthropy | Elaine Stern Foundation | Library of Michigan | CultureSource | Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation | Hudson-Webber Foundation | Madeleine and Mandell L. Berman Foundation

08/29/2026

Today, Motown Museum celebrates the birthday of the legendary Michael Jackson.

Launched to fame in 1969 with The Jackson 5’s debut Motown single, “I Want You Back,” his soaring vocals contributed to further classics including "ABC," “The Love You Save,” “Mama’s Pearl,” “Never Can Say Goodbye,” “Sugar Daddy,” and “Dancing Machine,” all of which reached the top ten on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. As solo artist with Motown, he saw success with "Got To Be There" and "Ben,” as well as covers of "Rockin' Robin" and "Ain't No Sunshine.”

Though the Jackson 5 left Motown in the mid 70s, Michael returned to the Motown family on multiple occasions. He played the Scarecrow in The Wiz, a Motown Productions film, and he introduced his famous Moonwalk on the Motown 25 television special. He also appeared as a guest on several Motown tracks, including Rockwell's "Somebody's Watching Me," Stevie Wonder's “All I Do” and "Get It,” Eddie Murphy’s “Yeah” and “Whatzupwitu,” and joined Diana Ross onstage to sing “Upside Down” on her 1981 television special.

Michael was a dedicated contributor to Motown's legacy, even aside from his work as a recording artist. In 1988, he gifted one of his iconic rhinestone gloves, black fedora hats, and a donation of $125,000 to Motown Museum. Turn up the music and help us celebrate the “King of Pop,” Michael Jackson!

08/28/2026

Our next chapter is taking shape as the Museum's expansion rises high. Drive down West Grand Boulevard today and you'll see the the Motown Experience in progress.

As work continues, we’re sharing a closer look at the people helping bring this transformational project to life.

In this behind-the-scenes look, our partners at L.S. Brinker share what it means to help build a space that will continue to inspire Motown fans around the world.

We can’t wait to welcome you. Until then, we’re excited to keep bringing you along for the journey.

08/26/2026

to iconic Motown songwriter and recording artist Valerie Simpson! As one half of the songwriting duo Ashford & Simpson, she co-wrote and co-produced a series of hits during her time with Motown. These include classic tracks such as "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing," "Your Precious Love," “You're All I Need To Get By,” and “The Boss.” As a solo artist, she released two albums on Motown’s Tamla imprint and earned a Grammy nomination for her song “There Is A God.”

Speaking to author and journalist Sharon Davis, Valerie Simpson reflected on Motown’s impact on her own career, stating, "It was a dream come true. I mean, we were just writers, and Motown was Motown. It was the best thing that could have happened to us, it really was."

Motown Museum continues to celebrate Valerie Simpson’s contribution to the Motown legacy, and was thrilled to have her on hand in New York City at the unveiling of the refurbished Steinway & Sons grand piano that is seen by visitors in Hitsville U.S.A.’s Studio A. Help us wish a Happy Birthday to Valerie Simpson!

08/25/2026

in 1966, The Supremes released their ninth studio album: A' Go-Go. The LP hit No. 1, remaining on the Billboard album chart for over a year.

The tracklist on A' Go-Go features the chart-topping “You Can’t Hurry Love,” along with the No. 9 hit “Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart” (which included the rare use of kazoo in a pop hit). Also included are Supremes renditions of Motown classics such as "This Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You)," "I Can't Help Myself," "Get Ready," and "Money (That's What I Want).”

08/22/2026

Motown Museum mourns the loss and celebrates the life of songwriter, record executive, poet, and education advocate Janie Bradford. In addition to crafting songs for nearly every Motown star, Bradford’s writing skill helped the label score one of its earliest and most enduring hits, “Money (That’s What I Want).”

Born in Missouri, Janie Bradford showed an early interest in writing and was inspired by a high school visit by her idol, poet Robert Frost. Moving north, she lived with her sister, Detroit area singer Clea Ethel. Their neighborhood friend Jackie Wilson, who had just hit the charts with “Reet Petite,” invited Bradford to meet the song’s writer, Berry Gordy. Bradford gave Gordy a collection of her poetry and they quickly struck up a friendship and songwriting collaboration.

Upon Gordy’s founding of his Tamla and Motown labels in 1959, Bradford worked as a receptionist. One day, as Gordy was working on a song, Bradford joined him by the piano to add her own verse - “your love gives me such a thrill, but your love don’t pay my bills. Gimme some money baby!” Recorded by Barrett Strong, a classic was born, and “Money (That’s What I Want)” helped cement Tamla as a hit making label before it was covered by artists ranging from The Beatles and Rolling Stones, to Boyz II Men and Charli XCX. During her 20 years with Motown, Bradford went on to work as Director of Writer Relations and wrote songs recorded by Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, Temptations, Four Tops, Miracles, Martha & The Vandellas, and more.

After her time with Motown, Bradford founded the Heroes and Legends Awards, a yearly event honoring music icons and raising scholarship funds for students to pursue higher education. Motown Museum is grateful for her enthusiastic support - she often attended exhibit openings, Founder's Day celebrations, galas, and mentored participants of Hitsville NEXT educational programs. Motown Museum continues to celebrate and honor Janie Bradford, and her immense contributions to the Motown legacy.

As Janie Bradford wrote in her own book of poetry:

When the sunshine
Smiles over the horizon
To make the day brighter,
It is a concert
Of brand new melodies
For the songwriter.

08/18/2026

in 1966, the Four Tops released their No. 1 hit single "Reach Out I'll Be There.”

The piercing piccolo melody that is heard during the song’s opening was played by the teenage prodigy Dayna Hartwick, who had been subbing with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra while still in Junior High School. Young enough that her father had to drive her to and from Motown, she arrived at Hitsville with a dislocated knee and was helped into the studio by members of The Funk Brothers.

Her playing helps anchor the dramatic opening of “Reach Out I’ll Be There,” which has since become one of the Four Tops’ most iconic songs, preserved by the Library of Congress, inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and recognized by Rolling Stone Magazine as one of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

08/15/2026

to Billy Griffin of The Miracles!

After Smokey Robinson left the group in 1972, Billy Griffin stepped in to become the new lead singer. Born in 1950, Griffin had grown up hearing The Miracles’ music.

He had previous experience as a part of the group Last Dynasty. After competing on a televised NBC program, Last Dynasty won a recording deal with RCA, but Griffin passed up the opportunity in favor of auditioning for The Miracles.

08/13/2026

Bass Day is coming back this Saturday, August 15, from 12–4 p.m.! 🎸 And this year, we’re adding a special Motown by the Book experience to the day.

📚 Meet Earl Bryant, former Tour Manager for Smokey Robinson, for a meet-and-greet and book signing, where he’ll be signing copies of his book and sharing stories from his time on the road with Smokey.

Bass Day 2026 is a FREE celebration honoring Motown bass legend James Jamerson, recognizing Paul Riser Sr. with the ICON Award and celebrating the incredible musicians who continue Detroit’s rich musical legacy.

🎶 Experience the Psychedelic Soul Mega Jam as Detroit bassists take the stage to perform classic Motown favorites that helped define the psychedelic soul era.

🎤 Featuring performances by Kern Brantley, Emily Rogers, Brad Russell, Drey Skonie, The Temptations R***e featuring Paul Williams Jr., Gator Moore, Condido Live, Red Campbell and more!

📍 Esther Gordy Edwards Centre for Excellence – 2550 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI 48208
💲 FREE admission
✅ No RSVP required
🪑 Lawn chairs welcome

Address

2648 W. Grand Boulevard
Detroit, MI
48208

Telephone

+13138752264

Website

http://motownmuseum.org/

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