Motown's best Singer(Group) and greatest Single?

Marvin Gaye


Single

 

Even though the poll lists the most successful of the classic Motown roster, it doesn't do enough justice to the wealth of talent that was there.

 

Smokey...apart from that voice, the list of songs he wrote is mind-blowing.

 

Marvin had a lot of versatility and emotion to go with that perfect soul voice. It's hard not to choose him whatever the roster of competitors.

For best Motown single, I'd nominate Four Tops' "(Reach Out) I'll Be There."

 

I just listed the first singers/groups that came to mind when I think of Motown.
Pardon me if I missed any of your favorites.

 

I can't pick a best singer when there are so many worthy candidates to choose from.

Best single?

As predictable as it may be, I'll say "Stop! In The Name of Love," although I could also go with "What's Going On," "Heatwave," "Dancing In The Street," "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "I Wish It Would Rain," "Hitch Hike," "Just My Imagination," "My World Is Empty Without You," etc. All chills down your spine songs.

 

Best talent, yeah, Smokey, Marvin, Stevie are at the top of an incredible roster. Impossible for me to narrow it down to a favorite single though.

 

Favorite singer is David Ruffin of the Temptations but my current favorite single (after listening for 50+ years) is brother Jimmy's What Becomes of the Broken Hearted.

 

favourite singers are Levi Stubbs and Paul Williams
favourite groups are Martha & The Vandellas, Four Tops and Temptations

favourite single: " Dancing In The Street"

 

Favourite singer: Martha Reeves
Favourite group: Martha & The Vandellas
Favourite single: Dancing In The Street

 

Favourite singer for me was David Ruffin.

Favourite single would be I Got A Feeling by Barbara Randolph.

That aside, Motown had so many great vocalists and songs.

 

Actually this is my favorite.

 

A: Marvin Gaye
B: Dancing In The Street (Martha & The Vandellas)

 

Can't vote for more than one?

Jackson 5/Jacksons (MJ)
The Temptations
Smokey Robinson (Miracles)

Darryl

 

A: Marvin Gaye
B: Ooo Baby Baby (Smokey)

 

Marvin was a once in a lifetime singer. Amazing.

My personal favourite would be Levi Stubbs though. Magnificent. I just couldn't work out why, when he passed away, there was so little coverage or comment.

Favourite single - almost impossible, but personal choice would be 'More Love' by Smokey. Stunning record, pure soul.

 

It's strange but for me ROIBT was the beginning of the end for the great days of Motown culminating IMO with the awful Jackson 5. Still Marvin did produce those 2 stellar albums in the early '70s.

 

A: Marvin Gaye
B: Ooo Baby Baby

 

What's so awful about J5? 2 albums? He produced 4 stellar albums in the 70's. (What's Goin On,Let's Get It On,I Want You & Here, My Dear)

 

Marvin Gaye
Barrett Strong - Money

 

Singer> Marvin Gaye

Single> Love Child - The Supremes

 

Singer: Marvin Gaye

Single: almost impossible to pick, but I'll go with "The Love I Saw in You was Just a Mirage" by The Miracles (w/ Smokey, of course)

 

Singer: Marvin

Single: "Tears Of A Clown" Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

 

I was probably the wrong age for their bubblegum pop. And you're probably right about the four albums, it's just that I was more into rock music (Little Feat, Jackson Browne, Van Morrison etc) by then. Remember in those days you didn't have access to everything and I couldn't afford to buy that much.

 

Singer: Marvin
Song: I Heard It Through The Grapevine
Album: What's Going On