The Motown event

I had the wonderful opportunity the other night of going to see the Motown event in the 50th Anniversary of Motown, America's greatest record label and global music icon. To mark this momentous occasion, Producers SEL have reunited the the legends of Motown music in a once-only world premiere event The Motown Event Celebrating the Hits of Motown!

What a great and outstanding opportunity to see, hear and mix with some of these legends of music. It was a thrill.

The Motown Event stars THE FOUR TOPS, THE TEMPTATIONS, MARY WILSON OF THE SUPREMES, MARTHA REEVES & THE VANDELLAS and THE MIRACLES. All artists who delivered some of the biggest hits of their era and shaped music as it is today. The performance will also star SIX TIME GRAMMY NOMINATED American artist JOAN OSBORNE, and iconic Australian soul singer and guitarist IAN MOSS, and a very special guest in JIMMY BARNES. Jimmy of course needs no introduction to soul music having had two multi-platinum albums of soul music, with a third to be released later this year.

The Motown Sound went worldwide in the 60s and that sound still resonates today with nearly 200 Number1 songs worldwide! Everybody young and old remembers the Motown hits. These Motown songs are so good that they continue to dominate commercial radio play lists half a century after they were recorded. Classics include Ain't No Mountain High Enough; My Girl; Reach Out, I'll Be There; I Heard It Through The Grapevine; Heatwave; You Can't Hurry Love; Baby Love; Stop in the Name of Love; Baby I Need Your Loving; What Becomes of the Brokenhearted; Dancing in the Street; Money (that's what I Want); What's Going On; and River Deep, Mountain High. The music of Motown connects generations incredibly it is the music of today, yesterday and tomorrow!

Motown's music hits continue to feature worldwide in TV and radio commercials, in hit television series (like Scrubs) and in major Hollywood big screen movies. Everybody remembers The Big Chill, Little Miss Sunshine, My Girl, You've Got Mail, Something's Gotta Give to name but a few, which all built scripts around Motown hits. Motown music continues to provide great inspiration to today's biggest pop and R'n'B stars, and gives hope to everybody around the globe.

SEL Director and Executive Producer, Tony Cochrane said "Without question, this is an absolutely unique and timeless concert of some of the greatest songs from the truly outstanding Motown catalogue and the original artists who brought these songs to life. It is a real privilege to be presenting this once in a lifetime concert extravaganza".

And it was. At the end they all joined on stage in tribute to "their little brother, Michael (Jackson) and sung "I'll be There", it was a fitting tribute and a very good concert. I must admit whilst the appearance of Jimmy Barnes and Ian Moss on the bill was a surprise, especially in light of the Motown vibe, it was an unusual, but certainly exciting pairing on stage, and when Jimmy's daughter Mahalia came out there was an audible wave of emotion when her voice was every bit as powerful as his. I sat in my chair rocking to the tunes that spanned generations, I loved the music, and just wished how nice it would have been to have Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, the Jackson 5 and others of mowtown. Well, this was the closest I have ever come to that sort of greatness. It was great. Thanks to the stars and to the wonderful friend that invited me to this event.










The inspirational Ian Moss and I


The engaging and truly wonderful Martha Reeves of Martha and the Vandellas and I


The gorgeous Mary Wilson of the Supremes and I

Early the next morning I had a shoot on for some promo shots and possible album cover artwork for an Australian band called Spy Vs Spy at a shoot ion Waterloo, then raced home to get the family, went to pick up Mum and drop her to the airport as she was off to New Zealand for a few days, then in the mood to kick back somewhat, I and the family went to the King Street ofd darling Harbour, near cockle bay and went a marvellous Italian Restaurant on the water and it was yummo, we really enjoyed the time together and to relax. Then a relaxing evening after the hectic last 36 hours. Everyopne is in town atthe moment, Whitney Houston, George Michael, AC/DC, Faith No More, and Boz Scaggs as well! My little bloke is getting taller!