The Midwest was best known for the manufacturing of automobiles, but Motown soon took center stage as the most influential industry. It was more than just notes on a page, piano in a basement and microphone hanging from the sky: Motown used its voice, as a record label, to usher in black artists and helped catapult the civil rights movement on a national scale. Founder Berry Gordy wanted to give black people a place to sing and built them a home to let freedom ring.

Before becoming founder of Motown, Berry Gordy worked at a Ford automobile plant in Michigan. He wanted to implement the assembly line aspect of Ford and bring a record label conceptualized by individual artists, or parts, coming together as a whole. This idea was influential in the Midwest because it fused together different parties from Michigan’s surrounding areas. While the Midwest did not lack musical inspiration, it had yet to be showcased in such a public manner thus setting the stage for what Motown is today.

Motown contributed to putting artists like The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and The Jackson Five in the spotlight. These artists then went on to break records and set musical trends that still influence the industry today. This opportunity gave minority groups a chance to represent their community on a much larger scale. Motown became one of the most successful black-owned businesses and one of the most influential independent record companies in American history. Through Motown, the rhythm and blues scene traveled to Chicago and defibrillated music diversity into America’s heartbeat.

Motown still has its long-lasting impact on the Midwest by showing us what was once here. South Bend, Gary and Michingan once had factories that supplied the United States that now sit abandoned, but the reminiscence of Motown music still lingers here today. Motown’s productions created a foundation for aspiring black artists and reinforced the significance of music within our society