Who is the most underrated Motown artist?

Out of all the Motown hitmakers, Junior Walker was the closest that label came to the blues.

 

Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, the thinking man's Supremes
nothing on Motown tops this for me

 

No offense to the Contours, but Do You Love Me has to be one of the most overplayed songs, thanks to Dirty Dancing...I could not escape that song in 1987-88.....weddings, parties, company outings, birthdays, URGH!!!!!!

 

I agree with Rare Earth, and I will add Teena Marie

 

Martha Reeves, because despite her considerable achievements, she's not accorded the respect of some of her former colleagues.

David Ruffin, because given his talents and success, he should be a household name.

 

Brenda

 

Charlene

 

Gene Van Buren
Nolen & Crossley

 

Paul Williams...but a country mile. The Tempts got almost no love until David Ruffin came in and started leading. Many Paul leads flew under the radar - great though they are. He became too sick to continue with the Tempts so he was let go. He then recorded a few songs in the hopes of doing an album. This never happened, sadly. Here's proof of just how incredible that album could have been:



Ed

 

Chris Clark

 

The Four Seasons

 

Does that mean you would buy Charles Manson's album? Some people like his album.
I didn't say what you can and can not enjoy, I briefly shared an experience I went through at a Blues Festival. He just jumped onstage and started hogging the set, I didn't pay to see some EGOcentric hollywood star take over and push a kind, humble blues man into the background. He was booed by other folks. I've seen or heard of other instances that I won't go into now.
I've been a blues/soul singer for 50 years and believe me, I can't think of anyone I've played with mention B. Willis as a soul singer or even consider him a musician. If I told one of my friends that B Willis was the most underrated Motown artist, they would laugh in my face.
Obviously we come from different backgrounds and different tastes in music.
If you love his singing, good for you, I'm not trying to tell you not to like him, I don't even know you. Put his posters on your wall, buy all his music and enjoy yourself.

 

I've always been partial to Cal Gill and the phenomenal Velvelettes.

 

Paul's my number one Temptation for sure.

Kind of wish he'd been given "My Girl" instead of Ruffin back in '64.

Bing Crosby & Temptations sing "My Girl" »

 

Paul's leads weren't hits so I get why they gave it to David. Really, I can't imagine anyone else doing it. Paul's voice was heavier than David's and his voice suited it so well. That said, I totally feel you. Paul is my absolute favorite Temptations by a long shot. His version of "For Once in My Life" is definitive for me.

Ed

 

Stevie's pop version comes across to me like the magic of finding your first love.

Paul's ballad version is like finding your true love after years of searching. Love has hurt you but you feel like it won't anymore.

 

Tammi Terrell - often forgotten and its amazing how many people assume all Gaye's duet were with Diana Ross
Ashford and Simpson - you will always be underrated when you compete with HDH, Whitfield Strong, Wonder, Robinson and Gaye
Isley Brothers and Gladys Knight - underrated by Motown perhaps

 

Totally agree! Paul's is world-weary. Stevie's has the thrill of discovery. Both are amazing but I prefer Paul's approach to Stevie's. The one on "TCB" will destroy you.

Ed

 

Syreeta
Charlene
Rockwell

Rockwell suffered from not having the great songs other Motown performers had. He had some good singles; "Somebody's Watching Me", "Obscene Phone Caller", and "Peeping Tom". But he was given a lot of terrible songs.

 

Leon Ware

 

Rockwell

 

do tell

 

Debarge

 

I'm quoting this because it is very much true. Most of the Funk Brothers also gigged late night at jazz clubs around Detroit when jazz was still very big in that city. Check out the documentary "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" for a very well done account of their story.