Recollections

The Detroit Years: The Motown Sound By The People Who Made It

Non-Fiction - Music/Entertainment
242 Pages
Reviewed on 06/12/2012
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Author Biography

Jack Ryan, like The Motown Sound, was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. Growing up with such a dynamic musical influence as The Motown Sound around him, Jack, like many others during the 60's became quite a fan of Berry Gordy's new sound.

While writing for such publications as City Magazine, The Dearborn Times Herald, The Observer and Eccentric and most recently C&G Publications, where he served as chief entertainment writer, Jack had the opportunity to interview many of the Motown recording artists. It was during these interviews that Jack decided he would compile the interesting material he had gathered into book form.

"Recollections" is the product of a years work which saw Jack Ryan interview virtually everyone connected with Motown Records. The stories found in "Recollections" are an account of the Motown era by the stars and behind the scenes personnel who made the hits.

That is why "Recollections" is such a unique view of The Motown Sound. Jack Ryan still lives in the Detroit area with his wife, Kathy.

Update:

Since the publication of "Recollections", Jack Ryan has travelled many roads in the entertainment industry. He has worked in television as an entertainment reporter. He has also contributed to his wife, Kath's weekly radio show as a movie reviewer.

Concert promoter and booking agent followed but for 28 years, Jack has managed former Motown recording artists, The Contours.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Jean Brickell for Readers' Favorite

"Recollections: The Detroit Years: The Motown Sound By The People Who Made It" by Jack Ryan was a great read, about all the people involved in making the Sound that made Detroit famous for music. It is a great history of a great time that lives on in records, tapes, and compact discs and also of some of the people who still travel the circuit to make us remember a time when we were younger. The Supremes, the Temptations, The Spinners, Gladys Knights and the Pips, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas: they are all here but also lesser groups and some of the ones who didn't quite make it as good as some of the others. They all left their mark on the sound of Detroit. People behind the scenes we didn't know about gave the great names, the know how, and the expertise to go on to fame and fortune. Barry Gordy had a dream and he made that dream come true for himself and many, many others.

What a wonderful tribute to the Motown sound and the people who sang, danced, wrote music or choreographed, or who were disc jockeys, back up singers, and musicians. I must also mention the men behind it all: Barry Gordy and his staff that worked to make it all happen. They are all here: the people we listened to, danced to and totally enjoyed. They made our life more colorful! Reading about the songs made old memories come alive!

Tom

Great book. I had a blast!