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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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Motown Giants Mark 50 Years of Music

Abdul "Duke" Fakir: Studio A is hallowed ground

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(Newser) – Musical legends gathered today at Hitsville, USA—Motown Records' original headquarters—to celebrate the Detroit label's 50th anniversary, Billboard reports. The Four Tops' Abdul "Duke" Fakir was joined by musicians from bands such as the Miracles and Martha & the Vandellas to pay tribute to Barry Gordy, who started the label on an $800 loan.

"He had the whole vision, and he made it come true," Fakir said. The merriment will continue this year for Motown fans, who can expect a feature-film documentary, a series of DVDs, and archival album releases. "God bless the dream," said Ivy Joe Hunter in closing today's festivities. "God bless the dreamer. God bless the result."

"Four Tops" in New York. Left to right: Renaldo "Obie" Benson, Levi Stubbs, Abdul "Duke" Fakir and Lawrence Payton.   (AP Photo/Ron Frehm, File)
The Funk Brothers' drummer Uriel Jones, left, Duke Fakir of The Four Tops, center, and saxophonist Gil Bridges of Rare Earth, at the Motown Museum, Monday, Jan. 12, 2009, in Detroit.
The Funk Brothers' drummer Uriel Jones, left, Duke Fakir of The Four Tops, center, and saxophonist Gil Bridges of Rare Earth, at the Motown Museum, Monday, Jan. 12, 2009, in Detroit.   (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
Clay McMurray, a former Motown Records producer, sits in his old seat within the studio control room at the Motown Museum, Monday, Jan. 12, 2009. Motown Records was founded 50 years ago today.
Clay McMurray, a former Motown Records producer, sits in his old seat within the studio control room at the Motown Museum, Monday, Jan. 12, 2009. Motown Records was founded 50 years ago today.   (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
Duke Fakir, of The Four Tops, speaks at a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of Motown Records, Monday, Jan. 12, 2009, in Detroit.
Duke Fakir, of The Four Tops, speaks at a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of Motown Records, Monday, Jan. 12, 2009, in Detroit.   (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
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Motown music was for everybody, and it grew out of love. It has spread around the world and has become part of the culture and consciousness in all seven continents, and it all started right here. - Berry Gordy, Motown founder

Fifty years is a wonderful anniversary. You've got to give credit to the songs, but of course you've got to give credit to Berry Gordy for the vision. He had the whole vision, and he made it come true.
- Abdul "Duke" Fakir

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music • Detroit • singers • Motown • Four Tops • Abdul "Duke" Fakir • Ivy Joe Hunter

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