December 22, 2008 http://www.freep.com/article/20081222/NEWS01/812220380/1039/Ent04
Make Motown greats art, Reeves says Singing legend raising funds to erect life-size sculptures in Detroit BY SUZETTE HACKNEY FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER Detroit City Councilwoman Martha Reeves is leading a $3-million effort to erect life-size sculptures around the city of Motown greats such as Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, the Supremes and, of course, Martha & the Vandellas. Reeves envisions the statues dotting Detroit landmarks such as Hart Plaza, Campus Martius, Belle Isle, Cobo Center, along Woodward Avenue and the Paradise Valley Cultural and Entertainment District -- formerly known as Harmonie Park. The initial goal is to raise at least $3 million and break ground for some of the sculptures in 2009 -- the year Motown celebrates its 50th anniversary. "Detroit is full of music history, it just doesn't show when you come into the city," Reeves told the Free Press this month. "There are a lot of priorities that come far before these statues with the City Council and the administration. We've been trying to recover from recent incidents in City Hall, but we're back on track now. "It's time to celebrate our rich history and focus on what's great about Detroit," she said. Asked about Reeves' statue project, Detroit Mayor Ken Cockrel Jr. said: "I don't think it is a bad idea as long as city funds are not used." The city already has a neighborhood, Woodbridge Estates, with streets named after some of the Motown greats. Reeves said she's received overwhelming interest from the corporate community to promote the positives of Detroit and capitalize on the Motown franchise. A foundation will be established to oversee the project with representatives from the corporate and political worlds and other community leaders. Artist Ronald McDowell of Auburn, Ala., has completed dozens of sketches and miniature statues for the project. He visited Detroit in August to scope out locations. McDowell, a sculptor, painter and illustrator, designed "The Salute to the Foot Soldiers" across the street from the National Civil Rights Institute in Birmingham, Ala. He also created monuments of the Temptations in the Eddie Kendrick Memorial Park in Birmingham and Coretta Scott King in her Alabama home of Marion. McDowell has made portraits of Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Michael Jackson and Rosa Parks. Growing up with Motown sounds McDowell, 56, said it was the ultimate honor when he was approached by Reeves about being commissioned for the Motown project. He said he was immediately taken back to the days when he couldn't afford art supplies and drew on brown paper bags and white butcher paper. "If it had not been for Motown, I would not have become the artist that I am today," McDowell told the Free Press this month. "I can remember as a boy playing those records over and over as I would draw. "Their words gave me a sense of direction, a sense of worth and a sense of determination -- they helped me believe I could become something larger in life," he said. "What the sound did for poor children in the projects or those of us who came from humble beginnings is amazing. They told our stories and knew the pulse of America." Music that made history The Motown label was founded in 1959 by budding songwriter Berry Gordy Jr. and went on to become one of the nation's biggest hit machines. Other music powerhouses that rose from Motown included the Four Tops, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles and the Jackson 5. McDowell said he is determined to sculpt all 31 successful Motown acts from the early years. He said all the sculptures will be frozen in motion: from Wonder playing his harmonica on the steps of Motown, to the Supremes raising their hands and demanding listeners to "Stop! In the Name of Love," to the Four Tops trotting out their tightly choreographed dance moves. Reeves said she was particularly taken by McDowell's sketch of Wonder, who inspired "every youngster in this world to climb the ladders of success, to get your education. "This baby knew that going to school was important. He did that, and went on to become one of the most profound artists of our time," said Reeves, who still performs occasionally. Unlike some sculptures in other cities, such as the cow display Chicago created and the mini-cars in Detroit, the Motown statues will be permanent, and likely constructed of bronze and colored with polyurethane paint and a sealant -- added protection against the harsh Michigan elements. The working title of Reeves' effort: The Motown Love Project. "Part of the allure of Motown was fashion -- the bright colors and beautiful dresses they wore," McDowell said. "I want to be able to highlight those details. For this project, I feel like I am Michelangelo and this is my Sistine Chapel." J.J. Barnes, 65, a former Motown artist who still tours overseas, said there is no greater worldly connection to Detroit than the Motown sound. He said the statues could be another visitor draw to downtown -- a downtown he still views as mostly empty. "I think the people who contributed to Motown, the ones who really made it, deserve some recognition," Barnes said. "Berry did a great thing by taking kids out of the neighborhoods and making them stars. "They probably would have never had that opportunity if it weren't for Motown." Contact SUZETTE HACKNEY at 313-222-6614 or shack...@freepress.com. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >>> <waistli...@aol.com> 01/13/2009 5:11 AM >>> 25 years ago during the Motown 25 celebration, Michael Jackson moon walked into history. Motown 50 seems to be passing without much fanfare. What a sad day. Where Did Our Love Go?: The Rise and Fall of the Motown Sound by Nelson George remains the best overall book on the origins of the Motown Sound and the individuals behind the music. Of the thousands of songs sung by the Motown family and hit records and hit albums, if one album had to be crowned the best, exemplifying Motown, my submission would be "Innervisions" by Stevie Wonder with Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" in strong competition. Greatest song writer and song writer/producer: Bill "Smokey " Robinson with Stevie Wonder running a tight second. Best collaborative song writing team: Holland Dozier Holland. Best Studio band: Motown studio band with James Jamerson revolutionizing the base and meaning of bass line. Greatest male vocalist group in American history: The Temptations. Best female group: The Supreme's. Greatest song sung to a women: My Girl. Most underrated album at its time of release: "The Temptations Sing Smokey." Best male group with lead singer openly homosexual (gay) and best song; The Dynamic Superiors and "Shoe Shoe Shine (only cost a dime)." Best album cover: "I Want You" by Marvin Gaye. Most versatile individual singer: Marvin Gaye (four distinct voices). Somewhere in all of this is Lionel Richie in the 1980s. Best live recorded song: Fingertips part 2 by Stevie Wonder (James Brown Live at the Apollo runs a tight second.) Group to do better after leaving Motown: Glady Knight and the Pips (Spinners running a close second) Individual to do better after leaving Motown Michael Jackson. Career cut short by death: Shorty Long (Original writer of "Devil with the Blue Dress On" often attributed to Mytch Ridder) Best song not consistent with the Motown Sound: "Shot-gun (Shoot him fore he runs)" by Junior Walker and the ALL Stars. Best classical song collection Motown produced: "Temptations in a Mellow Mood." Close second: Temptations: "For Lovers Only." Best cover song: "Blowin In the Wind" sung by Stevie Wonder written by Bob Dylan. Best self critique song: "Stature of a Fool" by David Ruffin. _http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18RBbHY16-4_ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18RBbHY16-4) The past half century was a blast. WL. **************New year...new news. Be the first to know what is making headlines. (http://news.aol.com?ncid=emlcntusnews00000002) _______________________________________________ Marxism-Thaxis mailing list Marxism-Thaxis@lists.econ.utah.edu To change your options or unsubscribe go to: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/marxism-thaxis This message has been scanned for malware by SurfControl plc. www.surfcontrol.com _______________________________________________ Marxism-Thaxis mailing list Marxism-Thaxis@lists.econ.utah.edu To change your options or unsubscribe go to: http://lists.econ.utah.edu/mailman/listinfo/marxism-thaxis
