John Legend and Stevie Wonder performed the main acts while Ciara came dressed as Rick James to celebrate Motown Records’ 60th anniversary Tuesday night.
Stevie performed more than half a dozen songs at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles to celebrate the record label that influenced great artists like Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson and Diana Ross.
While addressing the crowd, Motown’s founder Berry Gordy said he had fulfilled his lifelong dream of creating a record label that produced music for “all people.” Gordy opened the label in 1959 as a studio label for underappreciated artists. With time, The Supremes, Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and many more joined him.
“My dream was to make music for all people,” Gordy said. “Well, my dream came true…I want to thank all of you fans, and your parents, and their grandparents. All around the world. I could say their great grandparents, but that would make me older than I want to be.”
John Legend covered some of Motown’s legendary hits, including Gaye’s “Mercy Me”. Ne-Yo covered “I’ll be There” by The Jackson 5 while Ciara did a rendition of “Give It to Me Baby.” Diana Ross forced the audience to stand as she wowed them with her iconic voice.
Other artists in the house included Chloe X Halle, Tori Kelly, Martha Reeves and Meghan Trainor. Jennifer Lopez, who did a tribute of Motown at the Grammy awards on Sunday was not present.
