Mojo reports ‘Motown Takes Britain: In Pictures!’ ahead of exhibition at Proud Camden from 14th May to 13th July (free entry)

IN JUNE 1964, Mary Wells’ exquisite My Guy became the Motown label’s first UK chart hit, peaking at Number 5. Celebrating that anniversary, Proud Galleries have teamed with EMI (the Detroit label’s original UK licensees), Universal Music and merch vendors Bravado to present evocative, rare and unseen photos of Motown artists in the UK.

The show includes shots from the Year Zero of 1964 (Motown’s first UK Number 1 single – The Supremes’ Baby Love – followed Wells in November that year) and provides a peek inside the fabled Tamla-Motown Revue that toured Britain in 1965, featuring Stevie Wonder, Martha & The Vandellas, The Supremes and Smokey Robinson.

Motown’s impact on the UK would resonate loud and long, reflected in its influence on homegrown acts including The Beatles and The Who. Classic Motown: The Invasion Begins! runs from May 14 to July 13 at Proud Camden. Entry is free, Monday to Sunday, 11am-5pm.

10 gorgeous highlights from new Proud Galleries exhibit show Stevie Wonder & co primed to reverse the British Invasion.

http://www.mojo4music.com/14297/motown-takes-britain-pictures/

All photographs © EMI Group Limited