Birthday gifts for Motown's stars - 24/11/09

Original Motown glitterati gathered together with today's stars in downtown Detroit to celebrate 50 years of the revolutionary hit factory which transformed the 60s music scene.

Founder of Motown Records Berry Gordy, along with Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and Kid Rock were all in the label's original 'Motor City' hometown for the Motown 50 Golden Gala.

The anniversary event, which set punters back $350 a ticket, acted as a fundraiser for the Motown Historical Museum.

The museum was the original home of Motown Records Corp, which Gordy started with an $800 loan.

The event drew about 750 people and many of the big names and behind-the-scenes people from the label, which moved to Los Angeles in 1972.

Detroit's output included scores of hits, including My Girl by The Temptations, The Tears of a Clown by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, and I Heard it Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye.

"The pleasure is mine to be here," Gordy said during a pre-concert reception. "I'm thrilled I got the nurturing and all of the things Detroit had to offer me. Motown could not have made it in any other city."

Gordy was joined on the red carpet earlier in the evening by local and national celebrities and dignitaries, including Otis Williams of the Temptations, Claudette Robinson of the Miracles; the Reverend Jesse Jackson; comedian Sinbad, the event's host; and Detroit Mayor and former Detroit Pistons all-star Dave Bing.

The gala also included special tributes to Motown alumni who have died, including Michael Jackson.

Birthday gifts for Motown's stars - 24/11/09

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