Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #39098 in Books
• Published on: 2005-10-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 384 pages

Customer Reviews

Warts and All
This really is a warts n' all book and like the very story of Motown it started with all (all together, all family, all conquering) and ended with warts. If you LOVE Motown, like me, and it played an indelible part of your growing up and appreciation of music, you like me will love the first 2/3 of the book but be brought crashing down by the 70's demise when Gordy let go of the music reins to make it in Hollywood, and for Diana Ross. A lot of the book is 'Soul Swindle' and McClarens Sex Pistol's version is small fry indeed to what went on here. I lost count of the lawsuits from artists, lost count of cash backhanders to get records played, lost count of money flushed away by succeeding President's of the Company and lost count of how much Gordy made/spent/lost/made. Lots made that's for sure and despite it all, for his 60's genius, probably deserved. Shame the artists didn't always get what they deserved royalty-wise or just what they deserved in general which brings me to...

One thing for sure. All the things you have heard about Diana Ross, even if this book is only half truths (and I guess it's more than that or Ross would have sued and stopped it's publication)leaves you with the sourest taste in your mouth. To have been with her, worked with her, worked for her, manage her, pamper her, after she made it,was a living hell. Ego and arrogance of stellar proportions. She really was a coniving and pretty horrible person.I saw her live twice in the 80's in the round at the NEC Birmingham. Brilliant. Pleasant. Butter wouldn't melt. Yes, well.