UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. (AP) — Smokey Robinson and Halle Bailey — bridging Motown’s outdated and new college — are lending their voices throughout a vacation particular to honor the groundbreaking document label that modified music ceaselessly.
Robinson and Bailey will host “A Motown Christmas,” a particular that may have a good time Motown’s iconic music and affect on American tradition. The present will embody solo performances, duets and group medleys.
The present will embody an all-star lineup together with Robinson, Bailey, Gladys Knight,Andra Day, The Temptations, Jamie Foxx and Ashanti. Different performances will function BeBe Winans, JoJo, Martha Reeves , the Vandellas, Jordin Sparks, Machine Gun Kelly, October London and Pentatonix.
Listed here are some insights into the particular airing Wednesday night time on NBC and streaming the subsequent day on Peacock:
What have been Robinson and Bailey’s Motown traditions for Christmas
For years, Robinson and Motown founder Berry Gordy celebrated their success with “elaborate” Christmas presents for one another. However ultimately, they determined to forgo the flashy exchanges.
“That’s what we did a long time ago,” Robinson mentioned.
Now, their vacation custom is just catching up — whether or not it is over a name or informal hangout.
When Bailey visited South Carolina for Christmas, her grandfather stuffed the home with Motown music.
One of many first songs she remembers listening to the 1965 single “The Tracks of My Tears,” composed by Robinson, Pete Moore and Marv Tarplin from the singing group, The Miracles. Another moment was when she and her sister, Chloe Bailey, performed The Supremes’ 1964 track “Baby Love” throughout a expertise present, sporting black sequin attire whereas attempting mimic their strikes.
“That’s how I first started listening to it,” said Halle Bailey, who starred in the Disney’s live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid.” “I remember the feeling of Christmas and the music of Motown being just the beautiful background music, anytime you’re opening presents. It’s just amazing.”
What number of songs will probably be carried out throughout the particular?
Greater than 25 Motown songs will probably be on show, together with classics equivalent to: “ABC”; “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”; “Dancing in the Streets”; “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”; “My Girl”; “Reach Out (I’ll be There)”; and “Superstition.”
Robinson will sing “Tears of a Clown,” “Being With You” and “Tracks of My Tears.”
Bailey will probably be performing a medley celebrating Diana Ross and the Supremes. She’ll additionally hit the stage to carry out “Stop (In the Name of Love),” “Baby Love” and “You Keep Me Hanging On.”
“When you grow up listening to this music, it lives inside of you forever,” Bailey mentioned. “It was truly an honor to perform those songs that sang in my heart since I was a little girl.”
The 11-piece dwell band for “A Motown Christmas” will probably be led by Emmy Award-winning musical director Rickey Minor.
NBC beforehand aired two Motown tv specials, together with “Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever” and “Motown Returns to the Apollo,” which each gained Emmy Awards.
What was Motown’s objective?
When Gordy launched Motown, he gave Black musicians the platform to showcase their abilities at a time once they struggled to get data performed on mainstream radio stations.
Gordy’s label launched and helped launch the careers of a few of the greatest promoting music stars from Marvin Gaye to Lionel Richie.
The success of Gordy’s label is captured on the Motown Museum in Detroit, the primary headquarters of Gordy’s music empire the place Stevie Surprise, The Supremes, the Miracles and different performers recorded hits. Motown moved to California in 1972.
How Motown lives on from Robinson’s perspective
At 84, Robinson pointed throughout the interview towards 24-year-old Bailey, a residing testomony to how Motown’s magic has transcended generations.
“This lady right here, she’s living proof of the importance of Motown,” mentioned Robinson, who was the lead within the pioneering Motown group, the Miracles. He was as soon as the label’s vp.
“When Motown was started, she wasn’t even born,” he continued. “And here she knows the music. She knows the artists. I think there are kids now, her son, who will grow up knowing Motown. Kids who haven’t been born yet will know it.”
Bailey referred to as Motown “universal.”
“The longevity of the music,” she mentioned. “The truth and honesty of the music. The stories told. You resonate with almost every song because you’ve been through it or you’re going through it. Each song speaks to your heart. They stay with you.”
