Yesterday, Today, Forever

Yesterday, Today, Forever

Labels: 80's Babies

On May 16, 1983 my family sat in my grandmother’s living room and watched an historic television event that celebrated the vision of a remarkable businessman and talents of many African-Americans. No, we didn't watch Roots, we watched Motown 25. Although a year early, Motown 25 was a celebration of the achievements of Berry Gordy and Founder and President, as well as acts like The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5, and Diana Ross and the Supremes, as well as Holland, Dozier, Holland the writing team behind many of the Motown hits.

"Yesterday, Today and Forever" was supposed to symbolize Motown's historic influence on the music world as well as showcase it's artists that would take them into the future, Rick James and Debarge. Film clips of the early days were shown, showing Jr. Walker & The All-Stars (Shotgun! Shoot 'em fore he runs now), Martha & The Vandellas, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Little Stevie Wonder and a great sketch of Rick James "Bustin' Out of L7".

That was all cool, but the performances were the highlight of the show. Aside from the drama surrounding The Supremes reunion performance the show had moments that have become classic. The "battle" between The Temptations and The Four Tops which showed the two groups go back and forth with legendary songs, timeless routines and vocal challenges.

Marvin Gaye (high as hell!) sat at his piano and took us on a historical journey through Black music history, ending with one of Rolling Stones greatest songs ever, "What's Going On". It's eerie to think, this was the last time the public would see Marvin Gaye on television, he was killed less than a year later.

The performance that the telecast is most memorable for is the "reunion" of The Jacksons. All six brothers (shoutout to Randy) got together to perform their hits. After a medley with his brothers, Michael lingered around on stage and said "The good ol' days,I love those songs, all those magic moments, all my brothers, including Jermaine. Those were good songs, I like those songs alot, but..especially I like...the new songs."

Then he grabs the hat, strikes a pose and the rest is history. For the next 4 minutes and 30 seconds Michael Jackson immortalized himself. I'm sure no one watching that night realized they were watching one of the greatest moments in TV history, but Michael's performance of 'Billie Jean' that night was timeless. Nothing cemented that performance more than we he got to the bridge, strutted and pointed (who knows where) into the crowd, spinned and then broke into the moonwalk!

Ideally, I suppose it's time for Motown at 50, but lightning doesn't strike the same place twice...