First Lady Michelle Obama greets, from left, John Legend, Smokey Robinson, Berry Gordy, and Bob Santelli in the Old Family Dining Room of the White House before the Motown Music Series student workshop, Feb. 24, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton)

Motown – The Early Years

In the late 1950s, Berry Gordy left the assembly lines of Detroit's auto industry and applied what he learned to make a “music factory.” He took raw but talented low-income youth and polished them into the best entertainers and singers. This “factory” wrote the hit songs, then taught them to the artists. They were also taught how to dress, move and appear on stage. The results speak for themselves. Come hear the backstory to this great music, as we explore Motown in the '50s and '60s when this musical phenomenon began!

Larry Hess, M.M., is a retired Lubbock Independent School District educator and an OLLI member. He is also a professional musician, having retired after 30 years as a percussionist with the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra.

Monday, August 16 | 2-3:30 p.m. | Free

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June

6/7 CybersecurityCybersecurity Monday, June 7 | 5:30‑7 p.m.

6/8 Social Media (Postponed)Social Media (Postponed) Tuesday, June 8 | 5:30‑7 p.m.

6/10 History & Future of DronesThe History and Future of Drones  Thursday, June 10 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

6/14 A Cartoonist's PerspectiveDavid Fitzsimmons: A Cartoonist's Perspective  Monday, June 14 | 3 p.m.

6/15 Improving CommunicationImproving Communication in a Diverse World Tuesday, June 15 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

6/17 Good GriefGood Grief Thursday, June 17 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

6/22 Before We Were Yours“Before We Were Yours” by Lisa Wingate Tuesday, June 22 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

6/23 The Midnight Library“The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig Wednesday, June 23 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

6/24 Cool Wines for Warm DaysCool Wines for Warm Days Thursday, June 24 | 4:30‑6 p.m.

6/28 Only HopeOnly Hope: My Mother and the Holocaust Brought to Light Monday, June 28 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

6/29 Know About AfricaWhat Your Grandchildren Should Know About Africa Tuesday, June 29 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

July

7/1 Welfare, War and WaifsWelfare, War and Waifs: Three Child Rescue Movements in the 20^th Century Thursdays, July 1, 8 & 15 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

7/13 PapercraftsPapercrafts With Kelley Tuesday, July 13 | 5:30‑7 p.m.

7/14 Decorate a Christmas Tiered TrayHow to Decorate a Christmas‑Themed Tiered Tray Wednesday, July 14 | 9‑10:30 a.m.

7/20 Ornament FunOrnament Fun With Grandkids and More Tuesday, July 20 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

7/21 The Four Winds“The Four Winds” by Kristin Hannah Wednesday, July 21 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

7/22 Christmas StockingsChristmas Stocking Traditions Thursday, July 22 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

7/22 Health by ChocolateHealth by Chocolate: Indulge and Be Well Thursday, July 22 | 4‑5:30pm

7/27 Crafting a Wool Christmas GiftCrafting a 3‑in‑1 Wool Christmas Gift Tuesday/Thursday, July 27 and 29 | 2‑4 p.m.

August

8/10 Gouache Your WayGouache Your Way – A Fine Arts Tale Tuesday, August 10 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

8/16 Motown – The Early YearsMotown – The Early Years August 16 | 2-3:30 p.m.

8/18 Maintaining Muscle MassMaintaining Muscle Mass Wednesday, August 18 | 2‑3:30pm