Soul was a term adopted to describe black popular music as it evolved from the 1950s through the 1960s and into the early 1970s. Many people simply saw it as a new term for Rhythm and Blues. Soul was a return to the roots of black music, blues and especially gospel and church. Soul retains similarities to blues such as emotional honesty, vocal intensity, and the use of call and response. The musical form of soul known as the Motown sound came from Detroit. Soul commentators and historians, starting from the mid-1960s, judge it deviant from the audience it is aimed at. Motown has a lighter, more pop-oriented approach and its determined effort has been to appeal to as wide an audience as possible, making it less authentic than the traditional Southern soul sound. Motown was often considered inferior simply because it appealed to white teenage audiences as well as the traditional black market. Soul wasn't just about the Southern states and Detroit. Chicago followed, and then New Orleans brought the funky, expressive flavor of Louisiana. And the music continued to evolve, arriving in Philadelphia with its own unique sound. Over time, soul has become an everlasting part of the language of American popular culture.1. The temptations. "My girlfriend." The Temptations sing Smokey. Motown, 1964. "My Girl" was released in December 1964 and was recorded in Hitsville, USA. The song was written and produced by Smokey Robinson and Ronald White. Robinson wrote the lyrics, inspired by his wife Claudette. 1964 marks one of the most important years in American history with the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It was also the rise of American soul music with the introduction of...... middle of paper ...... nited. Motown, 1967. Marvin was born on April 2, 1939 in Washington, DC. As a young man, Marvin Gaye sang in his father's church. Later in life he sang in Moonglows before finally signing with Motown. He was fortunate to have a smooth tenor and a three-octave vocal range; Gaye was among the most gifted composers and singers of his era. He was known as the "Prince of Motown" and the "Prince of Soul". For three years, Gaye and Tammi Terrell wooed the country with their exceptional duets. Unfortunately, their reign as R&B's royal couple ended in 1970 when Terrell died of a brain tumor. Terrell's death left Gaye depressed and he vowed never to collaborate with another female singer. Gaye was killed on April 1, 1984 by his father during an argument. Three years after his tragic death, Marvin Gaye Jr. was honorably inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.