Standing in the Shadows of Motown Poster

Standing in the Shadows of Motown

69.00% | November 15, 2002 | Documentary, Music

In 1959, Berry Gordy Jr. gathered the best musicians from Detroit's thriving jazz and blues scene to begin cutting songs for his new record company. Over a fourteen year period they were the heartbeat on every hit from Motown's Detroit era. By the end of their phenomenal run, this unheralded group of musicians had played on more number ones hits than the Beach Boys, the Rolling Stones, Elvis and the Beatles combined - which makes them the greatest hit machine in the history of popular music. They called themselves the Funk Brothers. Forty-one years after they played their first note on a Motown record and three decades since they were all together, the Funk Brothers reunited back in Detroit to play their music and tell their unforgettable story, with the help of archival footage, still photos, narration, interviews, re-creation scenes, 20 Motown master tracks, and twelve new live performances of Motown classics with the Brothers backing up contemporary performers.

Featured Crew

Michael Q. Martin
Associate Producer
Michael Q. Martin
Post Production Supervisor
Paul Justman
Director

Cast

Jack Ashford
Jack Ashford
Himself
Bob Babbitt
Bob Babbitt
Himself
Benny 'Papa Zita' Benjamin
Benny 'Papa Zita' Benjamin
Himself (archive footage)
Eddie 'Bongo' Brown
Eddie 'Bongo' Brown
Himself (archive footage)

Images