Theatre / Bristol Hippodrome
Remembering the magic of Motown when it came to Bristol in 1965
Motown the Musical at the Hippodrome until February 2 recaptures the legendary story of Berry Gordy, creator of the world famous record label that paved the way for stars such as Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye.
Fresh from the West End, the show has arrived in Bristol just in time for the record label’s 60th anniversary on January 12.
Adam White, a Bristol-born Motown enthusiast, visited Gordy in his LA home and has written a book, Motown: The Sound of Young America, incorporating the history of Motown and his personal experience.
is needed now More than ever
Adam White being interviewed by Elisha Wint, a UWE Bristol student on work experience at Bristol24/7
“When the original show came to Bristol in 1965 nobody particularly knew who there artists were,” Adam told Bristol24/7 after a small part of the show was performed for a small invited audience.
“Motown understood the importance of visual impact as well as the sound, and that’s what this show has captured so very well. It’s magic to see as well as to hear.”
Adam admitted that shaped his life. Having fell in love with the music at a young age, working in a record shop, he then moved to New York, where he began to meet the people in the music business, such as Gordy and Stevie Wonder.
“I was living the dream, and then to come full circle back to Bristol, back to this show right here is just ‘wow’, I never would have believed it at as a 16-year-old, it’s given me an enjoyable career so I had to come back to see the show again in my home town.”
We then spoke to VIP competition winner Jerry Dorber, whose says he struggled to get friends to attend the 1965 Motown show at the Colston Hall.
Jerry Dorber says he struggled to get friends to attend the 1965 Motown show in Bristol
Jerry said: “I was 21 years old, finishing a course at Redland College and had been given 23 tickets by my mother who worked in the school.
“Members of the school didn’t want the tickets and I had trouble trying to persuade my friends that it would be a concert worth going to see. We knew nothing about them at all”
Jerry remembers being puzzled that there was hardly anyone outside waiting to get in: “Only about 150 people were inside roughly. We brought programmes, lights dimmed at 6.30 and ‘wow’ is the only word you could possibly use, fantastic sound, costumes music.”
Motown The Musical is at Bristol Hippodrome until February 2. For tickets and more information, visit www.atgtickets.com/shows/motown-the-musical/bristol-hippodrome
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