The Marvelettes were discovered at a talent show in Inkster, Michigan. They didn't win, but a teacher arranged an audition with Motown. The group was signed and "Please Mr. Postman", written by group member Georgeanna Dobbins (accounts vary.), became a no.1 smash in Dec. 1961, and Motown's first no.1 hit.
Martha Reeves started out as a secretary for the company in 1961, but kept pestering Gordy to listen to her group, formerly known as the Del-Phis. The trio WERE used as backup vocals on "Hitch Hike", "Stubborn Kind Of Fellow," and "Pride And Joy" for another up-and-comer, Marvin Gaye.
But the ladies (now known as Martha and The Vandellas) wanted to do their own songs. By 1963, the pestering paid off.
In late 1960, The Primettes were signed.(Also after persistent pestering!) The group had previously sang at various local sock hops and won first prize at the Detroit/Windsor Freedom Festival that same year. The group consisted of Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson, Betty McGlown (later replaced by Barbara Martin), and Diana Ross (real first name is just Diane). On Gordy's advice, the group name was changed; staff songwriter Janie Bradford came up with three choices, wrote them on paper, and put them in a hat.
Group member Florence Ballard picked the name "Supremes." And so it was. The new group was not immediately successful, though they recorded more than forty songs, of which only twelve were released, over the next three years. Group member Barbara Martin became discouraged and quit.
Some of these early clunkers include: "I Want A Guy", "Buttered Popcorn" (You've got to hear this one to believe it. Never heard popcorn sung about in such a weird way! The popcorn is a metaphor.) and "Your Heart Belongs To Me", which is the best of the clunkers. Diana Ross is the lead voice here, and she's trying to imitate Mary Wells. It's actually not bad at all (though Wells would have sung this to perfection!).
Discovered by Bobby Moore of The Miracles,amidst great excitement from Gordy and the staff, 11-year-old Steveland Judkins (or Hardaway; accounts vary here) came on board in 1961. Able to sing, write songs, and play several instruments, he was aptly renamed Little Stevie Wonder.
Motown's most successful male group started out as street-corner doo-wop. In 1957, a teenage Otis Williams began singing with a few friends, including Elbridge Bryant. Two years later (1959), Melvin Franklin was invited to join. The group then went through several name changes, first as the Elegants, then the Questions,(?) and then the Distants.
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