Motown Museum

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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.

Yesterday, October 15, we celebrated the birthdays of three Motown legends—Mildred Gill-Arbor, Marv Johnson, and Tito Ja...
10/16/2026

Yesterday, October 15, we celebrated the birthdays of three Motown legends—Mildred Gill-Arbor, Marv Johnson, and Tito Jackson—and we’d be remiss not to recognize their contributions to the Motown legacy.

Mildred Gill-Arbor is a founding member of the Velvelettes, the classic Motown vocal group whose hits included "Needle In A Haystack," "He Was Really Sayin' Somethin,'" "Lonely Lonely Girl Am I," and "These Things Will Keep Me Loving You.”

Marv Johnson was the first artist that Motown founder Berry Gordy recorded for his independent label, Tamla Records. Released in January 1959, Johnson's "Come To Me" hit the top 40 mere months before Gordy launched his second label - Motown.

Tariano "Tito" Jackson was a founding member of the Jackson 5 whose guitar playing, harmony vocals, and dance steps helped shape the sound and style of the 1970s.

Turn the music up and help us celebrate these icons!

in 1976, Stevie Wonder's landmark Songs In The Key Of Life album debuted at the top of Billboard's album charts! The r...
10/16/2026

in 1976, Stevie Wonder's landmark Songs In The Key Of Life album debuted at the top of Billboard's album charts!

The record spent fourteen weeks at No. 1, stayed on the charts for more than a year, won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year, and was certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of this groundbreaking work of art by an enduring Motown icon, a timeless collection of songs that continues to inspire generations of listeners, fans, and musical artists.

10/15/2026

In case you missed it: We were honored to be featured in last night’s closing segment on NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas.

The story spotlighted Motown Museum and how we are carrying the Motown legacy forward as we prepare to open the Motown Experience in 2027. We were moved to hear from so many Motown fans and friends, from here in Detroit to across the country.

Watch the feature now! 📺

Tune in to NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas TONIGHT at 6:30 PM ET to see Motown Museum in the spotlight. You won’t want ...
10/14/2026

Tune in to NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas TONIGHT at 6:30 PM ET to see Motown Museum in the spotlight. You won’t want to miss it!

If you're in the Detroit area, you can watch on WDIV Local 4 / ClickOnDetroit 📺

Back to where so much of our story began… ❤️Last week, The Temptations arrived in Michigan early ahead of our October 9 ...
10/14/2026

Back to where so much of our story began… ❤️

Last week, The Temptations arrived in Michigan early ahead of our October 9 show in New Buffalo to surprise Otis with a visit to the Motown Museum expansion construction site in Detroit.

Seeing the next chapter taking shape was an emotional moment for someone who helped write its first. These photos capture a visit, as well as a legacy, that means so much to so many of us.

Today, Motown Museum celebrates the birthday of the late Melvin “Blue” Franklin, founding member of The Temptations! Wit...
10/12/2026

Today, Motown Museum celebrates the birthday of the late Melvin “Blue” Franklin, founding member of The Temptations!

With his booming bass vocals, Franklin was a defining part of The Temptations’ rich harmonic blend. He often contributed memorable lead vocal moments to hit songs such as his floor-shaking “and the band played on” heard in their psychedelic hit “Ball Of Confusion (That’s What The World Is Today).” Franklin’s voice was first heard on wax in 1959 as a member of the Voice Masters on Anna Records. He recorded and toured as an original Temptation for more than thirty years, joining Motown in 1961 and singing with the group until his passing in 1995. With Franklin’s voice anchoring the sound of The Temptations, they scored dozens of classic hit records, multiple Grammy awards, an Emmy award-winning biographical TV series, an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and a Grammy lifetime achievement award.

Turn up the music and help us celebrate Melvin Franklin!

While in town for his two SOLD OUT shows at Motor City Casino Soundboard, American Comedian, Actor and Humanitarian Chri...
10/10/2026

While in town for his two SOLD OUT shows at Motor City Casino Soundboard, American Comedian, Actor and Humanitarian Chris Tucker stopped by Motown Museum. He said he was recently watching the Hitsville documentary and wanted to see the place again! We were excited to welcome Chris and his crew and look forward to seeing you again soon!

in 1983, The Temptations released their LP “Back To Basics.”Spearheaded by an all-star cast of producers including Nor...
10/06/2026

in 1983, The Temptations released their LP “Back To Basics.”

Spearheaded by an all-star cast of producers including Norman Whitfield, Berry Gordy, Harvey Fuqua, Willie Hutch, and Angelo Bond, the album spent 9 weeks on the Billboard 200 album charts, propelled by the success of the single "Sail Away." In addition to the album marking the Temptations' reunion with hit producer Whitfield, the cast of musical talent on the LP included multiple Motown veterans.

Arrangers Paul Riser, Gene Page, and McKinley Jackson helped craft horn and string parts; Funk Brothers Eddie "Bongo" Brown, Earl Van D**e, and Eddie Willis were among the musicians; and bass duties were handled in part by James "Jamo" Jamerson Jr. - son of the legendary Motown Funk Brother.

Today, Motown Museum celebrates the late Richard Street of The Temptations on his birthday!Starting out as a member of T...
10/05/2026

Today, Motown Museum celebrates the late Richard Street of The Temptations on his birthday!

Starting out as a member of The Distants alongside Otis Williams and Melvin Franklin, Street worked with Motown talent including producer Norman Whitfield, songwriter/guitarist Don Davis, and vocalist/songwriter Emanuel Laskey. In the mid 60s, he joined Motown as a member of the label's Quality Control department. With his vocal group, The Monitors, he scored two Top 40 R&B hits - "Say You" and "Greetings (This Is Uncle Sam)."

In 1971 he joined The Temptations, reuniting with his former groupmates from The Distants. His voice was an integral part of hits including "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone," "Shakey Ground," "Masterpiece," "Superstar," "Power," "Standing On The Top," and "Treat Her Like A Lady." In his autobiography, My Life As A Temptation, he affectionately described the Motown Sound as rooted "in the structure of human beings, spirits, souls, creativeness and talent."

Turn up the music and help us celebrate Richard Street!

10/01/2026

Every great story has a beginning where it all started.

For Motown, that story began inside a house on West Grand Boulevard, where a sound born in Detroit went on to move the world. Today, just steps away from Hitsville U.S.A., the next chapter of that culture changing legacy continues to take shape.

In this behind-the-scenes look, our construction partners at L.S. Brinker reflect on watching our expansion—the Motown Experience—rise from the ground up, transforming from dirt and concrete to a building designed to share more of Motown's story for future generations of fans.

As construction continues, we’re excited to keep sharing with you the people, progress and impact behind this transformational project. We can't wait to welcome you inside.

Address

2648 W. Grand Boulevard
Detroit, MI
48208

Telephone

+13138752264

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