A premier act of Motown Records during the 1960s, the Supremes were the most commercially successful of Motown’s acts and the most successful American vocal band, with 12 number-one singles in the charts. Their breakthrough is considered to have made it possible for future African-American R&B and soul musicians to find mainstream success. Diana Ross (born 1944) has gone on to have a solo career for many decades – even performing for the Queen during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022.

Stevie Wonder is one of the most successful musicians of all time. Born in 1950 in Detroit (motor city) USA, he suffered from blindness shortly after he was born. 
He is credited as a pioneer and influence by musicians across a range of styles that include rhythm and blues, pop, soul, gospel, funk, and jazz. He writes, plays and records most of the instruments on his songs himself.

Aretha Franklin was born in 1942 and died in 2018 at the age of 78 – she was known as Queen of Soul . She was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. She began her career as a child singing gospel songs at Church in Detroit, USA where her father was a minister. Aretha was never on Motown Records (like The Supremes and Stevie Wonder) but was considered part of the Motown family by its founder.
Aretha was very close to her family. When she was making music as a professional, her two sisters were her backing singers. Her brother was her manager. Stevie Wonder sang at her funeral, they were from the same city, Detroit.

❤️ Further Listening ❤️

Lesson Resources:

https://www.classroom200.org/lesson-plans/67

https://www.classroom200.org/lesson-plans/64