Museums & art / New Center

Motown Museum

Hitsville U.S.A.: the little house that sent Detroit’s sound around the world.

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Motown Museum · Moundcreek · CC BY-SA 4.0

01 / The story of this place

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Berry Gordy purchased the West Grand Boulevard house in 1959, turning it into Motown’s early headquarters and recording studio. Studio A and the musicians who worked here are central to the history of soul. The museum preserves the label’s legacy, its performers, and the creative community behind the records. The modest scale of the historic house makes its worldwide cultural impact all the more striking.

The historic Hitsville exterior
Studio A and Motown’s legacy
Separately announced museum exhibitions and programs

Famous Detroiters

Famous people tied to this place 93

Lexicon entries for the people who lived, worked, performed or liked to spend time here.

Michael Jackson 1958–2009 · singer, songwriter, dancer
Recorded here
Motown's first headquarters and Studio A, where the Jackson 5 made their first Motown recordings; since 1985 the Motown Museum, which received his fedora and glove in 1988.
Stevie Wonder born 1950 · singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer
Recorded here
Where he auditioned in 1961 and recorded his early hits. Motown's first headquarters and Studio A on West Grand Boulevard; since 1985 the Motown Museum.
Diana Ross born 1944 · singer, actress
Recorded here
As teenagers the Primettes came here daily to help on sessions; the Supremes recorded their 1960s hits in Studio A. Now the Motown Museum.
Marvin Gaye 1939–1984 · singer, songwriter, producer
Recorded here
Motown's Studio A, where he cut his 1960s hits and, in 1970–71, the What's Going On album. Now the Motown Museum.
Neil Young born 1945 · singer, songwriter, guitarist, filmmaker
Recorded here
Where the Mynah Birds cut their unreleased Motown sessions in 1966. Motown's first headquarters and Studio A on West Grand Boulevard; since 1985 the Motown Museum.
Smokey Robinson born 1940 · singer, songwriter, record producer, record executive
Recorded here
Where the Miracles recorded and where he wrote and produced for other Motown acts. Motown's first headquarters and Studio A on West Grand Boulevard; since 1985 the Motown Museum.
Rick James 1948–2004 · singer, songwriter, producer
Recorded here
Motown's Detroit headquarters and studio, where the Mynah Birds recorded in 1966 and where he worked as a writer-producer in 1968.
Gladys Knight born 1944 · singer, actress
Recorded here
Motown's Detroit studio complex during the group's Motown years, when “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” was made. Now the Motown Museum.
Jackie Jackson born 1951 · singer, songwriter
Recorded here
The Jackson 5 auditioned here on July 23, 1968, and recorded in Studio A in early 1969. Now the Motown Museum.
Marlon Jackson born 1957 · singer, dancer
Recorded here
The Jackson 5 auditioned here on July 23, 1968, and recorded in Studio A in early 1969. Now the Motown Museum.
Berry Gordy born 1929 · record executive, producer, songwriter, film producer
Founded
The house he bought in 1959 and turned into Motown's headquarters and Studio A; opened as the Motown Museum in 1985.
Mary Wilson 1944–2021 · singer, author
Recorded here
Motown's studio, where the Supremes hung around until they were signed and later cut their hits; now the Motown Museum.
Tammi Terrell 1945–1970 · singer
Recorded here
She recorded her Motown singles and duets with Marvin Gaye at the Hitsville studio.
Florence Ballard 1943–1976 · singer
Recorded here
Motown's studio, where the Supremes auditioned and recorded their hits with her; now the Motown Museum.
Edwin Starr 1942–2003 · singer, songwriter
Recorded here
Motown's studio and headquarters during his "Twenty-Five Miles" and "War" years.
Lamont Dozier 1941–2022 · songwriter, record producer, singer
Worked here
Motown's headquarters and Studio A, where Holland–Dozier–Holland wrote and produced their hits. Now the Motown Museum.
Martha Reeves born 1941 · singer, former Detroit City Council member
Recorded here
She began here as a secretary in the A&R department and recorded the Vandellas' hits in Studio A. Now the Motown Museum.
Jimmy Ruffin 1936–2014 · soul singer
Recorded here
Motown's Detroit studio, where he sang on sessions and recorded his solo hits. Now the Motown Museum.
Cindy Birdsong born 1939 · singer
Recorded here
The Supremes recorded here in Studio A.
Melvin Franklin 1942–1995 · bass singer
Recorded here
The Temptations' Motown hits were recorded here.
Harvey Fuqua 1929–2010 · singer, songwriter, producer, record executive
Worked here
Motown's artist development department, which he headed, worked from houses on West Grand Boulevard next to Hitsville.
Gladys Horton 1945–2011 · singer
Recorded here
The Marvelettes recorded here in Studio A.
Kim Weston born 1939 · singer
Recorded here
She recorded her Motown singles and the duets with Marvin Gaye here.
Norman Whitfield 1940–2008 · songwriter, record producer
Worked here
He began here in quality control and produced his Temptations classics in Studio A.
Otis Williams born 1941 · singer, founder of the Temptations
Recorded here
The Temptations recorded their Motown hits in Studio A.
Paul Williams 1939–1973 · singer, choreographer
Recorded here
The Temptations recorded here; Williams sang lead on many early sides.
Eddie Holland born 1939 · lyricist, songwriter, record producer, singer
Worked here
Holland–Dozier–Holland wrote and produced their Motown hits here.
Junior Walker 1931–1995 · saxophonist, singer, bandleader
Recorded here
Motown's Detroit headquarters and studio during his Soul-label hit years; "Shotgun" was cut with Funk Brothers musicians.
Syreeta Wright 1946–2004 · singer, songwriter
Worked here
She worked at Motown's front desk and as Mickey Stevenson's secretary, then recorded here.
Johnny Bristol 1939–2004 · songwriter, producer, singer
Worked here
Wrote and produced Motown sessions here with Harvey Fuqua.
Bobby Rogers 1940–2013 · singer, songwriter
Recorded here
The Miracles, Motown's first successful group, recorded their hits in Studio A.
Richard Street 1942–2013 · singer
Recorded here
He recorded with the Monitors and later the Temptations and worked in Motown's quality-control department here.
Marcus Belgrave 1936–2015 · jazz trumpeter, educator
Recorded here
Motown's West Grand Boulevard studio, where Belgrave played on sessions after moving to Detroit in 1963; now the Motown Museum.
Abdul "Duke" Fakir 1935–2024 · singer
Recorded here
The Four Tops recorded their Holland–Dozier–Holland hits in Studio A.
Brenda Holloway born 1946 · singer, songwriter
Recorded here
She recorded "When I'm Gone" and later sessions with Smokey Robinson in Detroit.
Claudette Robinson born 1942 · singer
Recorded here
The Miracles, Motown's first successful group, recorded their hits in Studio A.
Bob Babbitt 1937–2012 · bassist
Recorded here
Played on Motown sessions in Studio A, the basement room the musicians nicknamed the "Snake Pit".
Renaldo "Obie" Benson 1936–2005 · bass singer, songwriter
Recorded here
The Four Tops recorded their Motown hits here.
Freddie Gorman 1939–2006 · singer, songwriter, producer
Recorded here
He worked here as a writer and later sang backup with the Originals on many Motown sessions.
Barbara Martin 1943–2020 · singer
Recorded here
The early Supremes recorded here in Studio A.
Pete Moore 1938–2017 · bass singer, songwriter, vocal arranger, producer
Recorded here
The Miracles, Motown's first successful group, recorded their hits in Studio A.
Sylvia Moy 1938–2017 · songwriter, record producer
Worked here
Wrote and produced sessions in Studio A at Motown's first headquarters.
Marv Tarplin 1941–2011 · guitarist, songwriter
Recorded here
The Miracles, Motown's first successful group, recorded their hits in Studio A.
Elbridge "Al" Bryant 1939–1975 · singer
Recorded here
The early Temptations recorded here.
Hank Cosby 1928–2002 · saxophonist, songwriter, arranger, producer
Recorded here
Played saxophone and produced sessions in Studio A.
Mable John 1930–2022 · blues singer
Recorded here
She recorded her Tamla blues singles here.
Uriel Jones 1934–2009 · drummer
Recorded here
Played on Motown sessions in Studio A, the basement room the musicians nicknamed the "Snake Pit".
Shorty Long 1940–1969 · singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer
Recorded here
He recorded and produced his Soul-label singles here.
Georgeanna Tillman 1944–1980 · singer
Recorded here
The Marvelettes recorded here in Studio A.
Ronnie White 1938–1995 · singer, songwriter
Recorded here
The Miracles, Motown's first successful group, recorded their hits in Studio A.
Eddie Willis 1936–2018 · guitarist
Recorded here
Played on Motown sessions in Studio A, the basement room the musicians nicknamed the "Snake Pit".
Wanda Young 1943–2021 · singer
Recorded here
The Marvelettes recorded here in Studio A.
Katherine Anderson 1944–2023 · singer
Recorded here
The Marvelettes recorded here in Studio A.
Jack Ashford born 1934 · percussionist, vibraphonist, producer
Recorded here
Played on Motown sessions in Studio A, the basement room the musicians nicknamed the "Snake Pit".
Dennis Coffey born 1940 · guitarist, producer
Recorded here
Played on Motown sessions in Studio A, the basement room the musicians nicknamed the "Snake Pit".
Billy Henderson 1939–2007 · singer, dancer
Recorded here
The Spinners recorded their Motown singles here.
Frank Wilson 1940–2012 · songwriter, record producer, singer
Worked here
Wrote and produced sessions in Studio A at Motown's first headquarters.
Earl Van Dyke 1930–1992 · keyboardist, bandleader
Recorded here
Played on Motown sessions in Studio A, the basement room the musicians nicknamed the "Snake Pit".
Joe Hunter 1927–2007 · pianist, bandleader, arranger
Recorded here
Played on Motown sessions in Studio A, the basement room the musicians nicknamed the "Snake Pit".
Joe Messina 1928–2022 · guitarist
Recorded here
Played on Motown sessions in Studio A, the basement room the musicians nicknamed the "Snake Pit".
Clarence Paul 1928–1995 · songwriter, record producer
Worked here
Produced Stevie Wonder and early Temptations sessions in Studio A.
Lawrence Payton 1938–1997 · tenor, vocal arranger
Recorded here
The Four Tops recorded their Motown hits here.
Bobby Smith 1936–2013 · singer
Recorded here
The Spinners recorded their Motown singles here.
Rosalind Ashford 1943–2026 · singer
Recorded here
Martha and the Vandellas recorded here in Studio A.
Janie Bradford 1939–2026 · songwriter
Worked here
She was the receptionist here when she co-wrote "Money".
G. C. Cameron born 1945 · singer
Recorded here
The Spinners recorded "It's a Shame" for Motown while the company was based in Detroit.
Gwen Gordy Fuqua 1927–1999 · songwriter, record executive
Worked here
She co-headed Motown's artist development, housed on West Grand Boulevard.
Johnny Griffith 1936–2002 · keyboardist
Recorded here
Played on Motown sessions in Studio A, the basement room the musicians nicknamed the "Snake Pit".
Maxine Powell 1915–2013 · etiquette instructor, finishing-school founder, talent agent
Worked here
Motown's artist development department, where she taught, occupied a house in the Hitsville row on West Grand Boulevard.
Raynoma Gordy Singleton 1937–2016 · songwriter, arranger, producer
Founded
She found this house for Gordy's new company and ran its publishing office here.
Mickey Stevenson born 1937 · songwriter, record producer, A&R director
Worked here
He ran Motown's A&R department and supervised sessions in Studio A.
Robert White 1936–1994 · guitarist
Recorded here
Played on Motown sessions in Studio A, the basement room the musicians nicknamed the "Snake Pit".
Richard "Pistol" Allen 1932–2002 · drummer
Recorded here
Played on Motown sessions in Studio A, the basement room the musicians nicknamed the "Snake Pit".
Cholly Atkins 1913–2003 · dancer, choreographer
Worked here
Motown's artist development department, where he ran rehearsals as house choreographer, was housed next to Hitsville on West Grand Boulevard.
Annette Beard born 1943 · singer
Recorded here
Martha and the Vandellas recorded here in Studio A.
Benny Benjamin 1925–1969 · drummer
Recorded here
Played on Motown sessions in Studio A, the basement room the musicians nicknamed the "Snake Pit".
Juanita Cowart born 1944 · singer
Recorded here
The Marvelettes recorded here in Studio A.
Henry Fambrough 1938–2024 · singer
Recorded here
The Spinners recorded their Motown singles here.
Robert Gordy 1931–2022 · music publisher, songwriter, singer
Worked here
Jobete, Motown's publishing company, had its office in the Hitsville row from 1961.
Ivy Jo Hunter 1940–2022 · songwriter, producer, singer, keyboardist
Worked here
Wrote and produced sessions in Studio A at Motown's first headquarters.
Betty Kelly born 1944 · singer
Recorded here
Martha and the Vandellas recorded here in Studio A.
Lois Reeves born 1948 · singer
Recorded here
Martha Reeves and the Vandellas recorded here in Studio A.
Eddie "Bongo" Brown 1932–1984 · percussionist
Recorded here
Played on Motown sessions in Studio A, the basement room the musicians nicknamed the "Snake Pit".
Esther Gordy Edwards 1920–2011 · Motown executive, founder of the Motown Museum
Founded
She had an office in the Hitsville complex from 1962 and opened the building as the Motown Museum in 1985.
Pervis Jackson 1938–2008 · bass singer
Recorded here
The Spinners recorded their Motown singles here.
Richard "Popcorn" Wylie 1939–2008 · pianist, bandleader, songwriter, producer
Recorded here
Played piano on "Shop Around" and other early Motown sessions.
Barney Ales 1934–2020 · record executive
Worked here
He ran Motown's sales and promotion from its West Grand Boulevard headquarters.
Joe Billingslea born 1937 · singer
Recorded here
The Contours recorded "Do You Love Me" and their other Motown sides here.
Hubert Johnson 1941–1981 · singer
Recorded here
The Contours recorded here.
Sylvester Potts 1938–2017 · singer, songwriter
Recorded here
The Contours recorded their Motown sides here.
Paul Riser born 1943 · arranger, trombonist
Recorded here
He played trombone and wrote arrangements for sessions in Studio A.
C. P. Spencer 1938–2004 · singer, songwriter, producer
Recorded here
The Originals sang backup on many Motown sessions and recorded their own hits here.
Maurice King · bandleader, arranger, vocal coach
Worked here
Motown's artist development department, where he was vocal coach and musical director, was housed in the Hitsville row.