50 years ago in 1959 Berry Gordy, the founder of Tamla Records, signs an $800 loan agreement with Ber-Berry, the Gordy family co-op fund, to incorporate his Tamla Motown Record Company in Detroit, hitsville USA.  Motown is the abbreviation of "Motor Town"  a nickname for Detroit.

Motown played an important role in the racial integration of popular music, as it was the first record label owned by an African American to primarily feature African-American artists who achieved crossover success. In the 1960s, Motown and its soul-based subsidiaries were the most successful proponents of what came to be known as "The Motown Sound", a style of soul music with a distinct pop influence.

"The Motown Sound" was primarily made by the Funk Brothers for the most Motown Records recordings from 1959 until 1972.

 Happy 50th Anniversary, Motown!

Timex Social Club, the group that brought you the #1 summer time jam of 1986 is back on the scene!

Formed in Berkeley, California, the group climbed the U.S. Billboard dance charts with their runaway smash hit "Rumors." Today, two of the original members, Marcus Thompson and Michael Marshall, have reunited and are back performing their hits.

Their album, Vicious Rumors, was released in late 1986 and included "Thinkin' About Ya" and "Mixed-Up World". Both songs made the Billboard U.S. R&B top 20.

Over the years, Timex Social Club's music has been used by such artists as P. Diddy, Jessica Simpson, Master P, Jennifer (J-Lo) Lopez, Club Nouveau and The Luniz. Most recently, the Roots performed a rendition of their hit "Rumors" on Jimmy Fallon's new late night talk show.

Timex Social Club's latest projects include a release from lead singer Michael Marshall - Soul of the Bay - which merges Michael's bright vocals with catchy compositions to create yet another disc full of memorable tunes. Standout tracks such as "Who Is He" and "Chemistry" are already certified iTunes favorites.

more on http://www.timexsocialclub.com/

source http://www.blacknews.com