As the editor of the Gantseh Megillah, I am always happy to recognize the accomplishments of members of our Megillah Family.  The following is a press release concerning the 50th anniversary celebration of Motown Records held in Berlin, Germany.  Our very own Alan Abrams, who is a long time subscriber as well as a regular contributor to the Weekly Megillah played a huge role in the beginnings of Motown and is participating in a big way in this special celebratory event. 

Read the press release and kvel along with me.

Michael

On the Occasion of the 50th Anniversary of Motown Records, the Estrel Berlin Presents a Glamorous Show With Original Stars in January

BERLIN, December 12 /PRNewswire/ -- On January 12th one of the most important record labels in the history of music celebrates the 50th anniversary of its founding: Motown Records. On the occasion of the world-wide anniversary celebrations, the world premiere of the show Memories of Motown will be presented in January at the Estrel Berlin. The newest musical stage show of Berlin producer Bernhard Kurz ("Stars in Concert") brings back all the unmistakeable world hits with which the Detroit record label celebrated its success in the 60's and 70's.

In Memories of Motown real Motown stars - like The Contours and The Miracles - take the audience away to the glamorous times of Motown with their songs. Another highlight is the performance of soul singer Martha Reeves who stormed the US charts in the 60's as Martha Reeves & The Vandellas with "Dancing In The Street" and "Heat Wave". Alongside the originals the world's best performers of Diana Ross & The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Jackie Wilson and Mary Wells will bring the unmistakeable sound of Motown to the stage with true passion.

The audience will also learn a lot about the Musical Empire of Motown; special guests on the show are Al Abrams, Motowns first contract employee who later became Motown's Public Relations Director, as well as William "Mickey" Stevenson, former head of the A&R Department (artists and repertoire) and songwriter. Both of them experienced up close how the label wrote history and how for the first time black musicians had more success than their white colleagues. Abrams and Stevenson will tell unknown stories about Motown and funny anecdotes from the first days of the record label that even the biggest fans may not yet have heard.