Motown Museum tour gives an inside look at MLK’s connection to Detroit label

Martin Luther King, Jr. is known for many things–civil rights leader, minister, Nobel Peace Prize winner, husband and father. But a Motown Records recording artist is another accomplishment of King’s that some might not know. 

In 1963, label founder Berry Gordy Jr. spearheaded an effort to record both of King’s “I Have a Dream” speeches–the first, presented during the Walk to Freedom in Detroit, and the more famous version at the March on Washington. This resulted in the release of albums, “The Great March on Washington” and “Great March to Freedom,” with sales of the records going toward the civil rights organization Southern Christian Leadership Conference. 

The story behind the recording of King’s speeches and the creation of Motown’s spoken word label, Black Forum, will be explored Monday during immersive tours at the Motown Museum on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 

BridgeDetroit talked to Motown Museum Director Shelia Spencer about the tour, Motown’s involvement in the Civil Rights Movement, and how King’s speeches resonate today. 

This transcript was lightly edited for length and clarity.

BridgeDetroit: When did Berry Gordy develop a relationship with Martin Luther King Jr. and how did that lead to the recording of “The Great March on Washington?” 

Spencer: On June 23, 1963, Motown recorded the Great March to Freedom and there was a time a lot of people thought that the March to Freedom speech started in Washington DC, but it was right here in Detroit. There were over 125,000 demonstrators who marched down Woodward Avenue where Dr. King delivered an early version of his “I Have a Dream” speech, and this is what was recorded and released through the Gordy label.

Berry Gordy understood the importance of the impact that the music and the label could have on the Civil Rights Movement. Then, on Aug. 28, 1963, Motown recorded the March on Washington, where Dr. King gave the most famous version of his “I Have a Dream” speech. That was released on the Gordy label as well. 

In 1965, Berry Gordy supported Dr. King by covering the cost of his staff. There were financial difficulties when they were continuing some of their marches and so, with the support of (Berry’s sister) Esther Gordy Edwards, they were able to take care of and support the payroll.

Then, in 1968, after the assassination of Dr. King, Motown released an LP titled, “Free At Last.” It featured speeches from Ebenezer Baptist Church (in Atlanta) and the “I Have a Dream” speech, and it included eulogies that played at Dr. King’s funeral. So, there was a relationship happening between Berry Gordy, Motown and Dr. King. 

BridgeDetroit: Berry Gordy was initially resistant to getting into politics and the Civil Rights Movement. Why do you think that changed? 

Spencer: He wasn’t looking to take a political stance, but he also lived realistically in a world where he could see the things that were happening. 

When you have people like Marvin Gaye and (Gaye’s) brother over in Vietnam, you are impacted in a community that’s very influential and impacted daily. Although he didn’t take a political stance, what he was doing with music and with the labels was creating a space for people to have a voice, no matter if it was singing about love or singing about cultural injustices. 

BridgeDetroit: What are some other ways Berry Gordy promoted the Civil Rights Movement? 

Spencer: You have people like Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder who have prolific lyrics that are geared to add the advocacy of Dr. Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement. I was listening to something the other day about how Berry Gordy was saying that he understood and appreciated the vision that Martin Luther King had to bring all people together, no matter of race, color, or creed; he looked to bring them all together. With the music Berry Gordy helped produce and release, his vision was the same. That’s why that music is so universal.

BridgeDetroit: What led to the creation of the Black Forum record label? 

Spencer: In 1970, Motown started the Black Forum label and it was a platform created for activist voices and cultural leaders. The first release was Dr. King’s 1967 speech (“Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence”) because, at that time, he was opposing the Vietnam War. Then, in 1971, that release won a Grammy for Best Spoken Word Recording. And you had prolific works from (former Black Panther leader) Elaine Brown and (civil rights and pan-African activist) Stokely Carmichael on the label. It focused on releasing spoken word recordings and materials that highlighted social injustice issues and also Black experiences in America. 

BridgeDetroit: What’s included in the immersive tour?

Spencer: We’re doing a deep dive into the legacy and Motown’s impact and involvement in the Civil Rights Movement and include a deep dive into our Black Forum label. After that, there’s going to be an immersive interactive experience in studio A (the iconic recording studio where Motown artists recorded their hit songs from 1959 to 1972). We have these incredible docents who have been here. They understand the history, they’ve learned the history, and they’ll be taking everyone through these immersive tour experiences. 

BridgeDetroit: Motown released King’s “I Have a Dream” speech as a digital single in 2020. Is the “Great March on Washington” album available to purchase? 

Spencer: We will have some available here for purchase (in the Motown Museum store). Also, we have a t-shirt that people can purchase designed around the Black Forum label. You’ll see on that t-shirt different images of the “Freedom” speech to Elaine Brown, to Stokely Carmichael. 

BridgeDetroit: As we begin a new year and the world seems as divisive as ever, do you believe that King’s words can continue to bring a sense of hope to people? 

Spencer: King’s “I Have a Dream” speech is still a dream, it’s still a vision, and it’s still something that we all are working toward.

When I come to the museum and I hear all the music, everything from Marvin Gaye to Stevie Wonder and all these different, amazing artists it is a connection to there is still hope, there is still love. There are still things in the world that are hopeful to look for.

Even though there can be a time when things seem to be very difficult and people do not see a light at the end of the tunnel, listening to his (King’s) speeches… still makes it so relevant, and it makes it so important to know that there’s hope. We have to keep the faith that going forward–everything that was fought for, whatever end it is–it’ll come to pass and things are going to be OK. 

The Motown Museum tours run from 10 a.m. to -6 p.m., with the final tour starting at 5 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults and free for children and teens ages 17 and younger when accompanied by an adult with a ticket. People can use promo code TICKETS at checkout.

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More MLK Day events 

• Motor City Rise: The Motor City Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, along with youth organization Teen HYPE, are hosting, “Motor City Rise: A Celebration of Self and Community,” an afternoon focused on wellness, empowerment, and self-care in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy. The free event, which takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Williams Recreation Center, will include yoga sessions, guided meditations, youth performances, professional haircuts and more. 
• Nixon/King: In 1960, a young Martin Luther King, Jr. sits in a Georgia jail cell on trumped-up charges, trying to figure out how to get home to his family and is denied the ability by a racist jailer to call his wife. Then Vice President Richard Nixon shows up to come to his rescue – or does he? That is the set up for the dramedy musical “Nixon/King,” which is playing weekends at the Planet Ant Theater in Hamtramck until Jan. 25. The play offers a fictional “what if” version of history, depicting the titular men in conversation and debate as they each struggle with the choices ahead of them. Tickets begin at $30. 
• MLK storytime event: Source Booksellers is hosting a free Martin Luther King Day storytime event 11 a.m. Sunday featuring the 2005 children’s book, “Rosa” by poet Nikki Giovanni, who died in December. The book is a biography of civil rights activist and longtime Detroit resident Rosa Parks. 
• MLK rally and march: St. Matthew’s & St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church is hosting its 22nd annual MLK Day rally and march at noon Monday. The march down Woodward will honor six decades of civil rights movements in Detroit and around the world. Speakers include UAW President Shawn Fain, U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit, Detroit Justice Center Executive Director Nancy Parker and many others. 
• MLK Day at the Wright: The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is hosting its annual MLK Day event, with this year’s theme being, “The Strength to Dream.” The schedule includes a keynote address by Black Voters Matter Fund co-founder LaTosha Brown and a screening of the documentary “The Evers,” which tells the story of civil rights leaders Medgar and Myrlie Evers. Their daughter, Reena Evers-Everette, will share her journey and the enduring impact of her parents’ work on today’s fight for civil rights. The museum’s exhibits will also be open, such as “Frontline Prophet: James Baldwin” and “And Still We Rise.” The event will be a mix of free and ticketed activities.