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A friendly little Detroit house with a big 'Motown' sign on the front, three singers harmonizing on the front steps, and a spinning vinyl record with musical notes floating in the sky.

January 12, 1959

Motown Records Opens

A little house in Detroit where some of the happiest songs ever were made.

The Story

In Detroit, Michigan, a man named Berry Gordy borrowed a tiny bit of money to start a music company.

He set it up in a small house and hung a sign on the front that read 'Hitsville U.S.A.'

He called the company Motown, after Detroit's nickname 'Motor Town.'

Amazing singers like Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, and The Jackson 5 recorded songs in that little house.

Their happy, hand-clapping songs made kids and grown-ups dance all over the world.

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