Motown. Where it all began. While it’s been 55 years since the formation of the iconic Motown Records, the legacy that it holds is far beyond it’s years. From the arrival of some of the music’s most celebrated artists to the lengthy careers of some of its most influential, Motown has been home for many of R&B’s most important artists throughout the years.
Now, to celebrate all that it’s done for R&B and the music industry in general, a release of the historic Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever TV Concert and Special is being released on DVD for the first time ever! The legendary televised event originally aired on NBC on May 16, 1983 and is still one of the most talked about concert specials to date.
Hosting iconic occurrences such as Michael Jackson’s premiere of the moonwalk aka “six seconds that changed the world,” and the first battle of the bands between The Temptations and Four Tops, the Emmy Award winning spot has been unreleased since its original broadcast date. Taped before a live audience, the show saw almost every Motown artist to ever serve on the label’s roster including the late Michael Jackson and Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, The Supremes, The Jackson 5, The Miracles, The Temptations, Four Tops and many more. Hosted by legendary comedian Richard Pryor and serving as the back story to the Tony nominated Broadway play Motown: The Musical, the televised concert event was surely a night that has gone down in music history.
Fans will now be able to own this once-in-a-lifetime concert with over 14 hours of bonus features packaged as a 6-DVD collector’s set, a 3 disc special, or just a single disc. Each package features an extended version of Motown 25 with over 20 additional minutes not seen in the original broadcast, exclusive interviews with artists, and much much more. The DVD sets will be available September 30, but pre-orders are available now here.
While you’re waiting though, take a look at our exclusive clip of Diana Ross and The Supremes reunion below!
MOTOWN 25 (6 Discs)
Price: $79.95
Run time: Approx. 16 hours
Online Exclusive Collection includes:
– 6 DVDs in deluxe collector’s packaging, featuring a 48-page collector’s book and a copy of the Motown 25 Program; extended version of Motown 25 with over 20 additional minutes not seen in the original broadcast; new 5.1 surround sound
– 14 hours of specially-created featurettes, in-depth interviews and more
– Nine featurettes including: “Signed, Sealed, Delivered: The Making of Motown 25”, “What’s Going On: Marvin Gaye”, “Reach Out I’ll Be There: The Temptations and Four Tops”, “Come and Get These Memories: Inside Hitsville”, “Dancin’ In The Streets: History of Motown”, “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me: The Miracles”, “My Guy: Smokey Robinson”, “I Heard it Through the Grapevine: Motown Sound” and “Motown 25 Reboot: The 5.1 Surround Sound Mix”
– 2 Part Motown Performers Roundtable featuring Smokey Robinson, Duke Fakir, Otis Williams and Suzanne de Passe; the “Yesterday, Today, Forever” Production Roundtable featuring de Passe, Suzanne Coston (Producer), Don Mischer (Director/Producer), David Goldberg (Executive in Charge of Production) and Buz Kohan (Head Writer) and a Songwriters Roundtable (1983).
– Exclusive Interviews with: Suzanne de Passe, Don Mischer,Suzanne Coston, Duke Fakir, Otis Williams, Claudette Robsinon, Martha Reeves, Gloria Jones, Smokey Robinson, Adam Ant, Nelson George, Michael Lovesmith, Iris Gordy, Motown Records Songwriters/Producers Norman Whitfield and Holland Dozier, Motown Executives including Shelly Berger, Russ Terrana (Engineer), Janie Bradford, Mickey Stevenson and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (Songwriters/Producers), Motown 25 writers Buz Kohan, Ruth Robinson and Don Waller, David Goldberg, George Schlatter (George Schlatter Productions), Rick Ludwin (former Head of NBC Specials)
MOTOWN 25 (3 Discs)
Price: $39.95srp
Run time: 7 hrs, 38mins.
– 3 DVDs in deluxe collector’s packaging
– Extended version of Motown 25 with over 20 additional minutes not seen in the original broadcast; new 5.1 surround sound
– Over six hours of hours of specially-created featurettes, in-depth interviews and more.
– Marvin Gaye Rehearsal Footage
– Four featurettes including: “Signed, Sealed, Delivered: The Making of Motown 25”, “What’s Going On: Marvin Gaye”, “Reach Out I’ll Be There: The Temptations and Four Tops”, “Come and Get These Memories: Inside Hitsville”
– 2 Part Motown Performers Roundtable; the “Yesterday, Today, Forever” Production Roundtable
– Exclusive Interviews with: Suzanne de Passe, Don Mischer, Duke Fakir, Otis Williams, Claudette Robinson, Martha Reeves
MOTOWN 25 (Single Disc)
Price: $19.95srp
– Extended version of Motown 25 with over 20 additional minutes not seen in the original broadcast; new 5.1 surround sound
– Over an hour of bonus programming, including “Signed, Sealed, Delivered: The Making of Motown 25” and Part 1 of the Motown Performers Roundtable
Pre-order Here!
