10 R&B Legends Who REJECTED Motown — The Real Offers, Refusals and Rumors

Why did some of the greatest voices in soul music never become Motown artists? In this documentary countdown, we separate the documented history from the rumors. Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, and Nina Simone are joined by Ray Charles, Wilson Pickett, George Clinton, Curtis Mayfield, and Jackie Wilson. For each one, we look at what the record actually shows about Berry Gordy’s Motown, and what it doesn’t. You’ll hear about the offer Aretha Franklin’s father turned down, the Motown executive who says he refused Wilson Pickett, the Motown audition that didn’t work out for George Clinton, and the songwriting hits that helped Berry Gordy fund Tamla. You’ll also see how Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, and Curtis Mayfield fought for ownership and independence, and where Stax, King, Atlantic, and Curtom fit into the story. Where no Motown offer or refusal is documented, we say so, and we don’t invent a story. If you love classic soul and R&B history, subscribe to RnBPulseTrack and turn on notifications for the next countdown. #Motown #BerryGordy #ArethaFranklin #JamesBrown #OtisRedding #SamCooke #NinaSimone #RayCharles #WilsonPickett #GeorgeClinton #CurtisMayfield #JackieWilson #SoulMusic #RnB #RnBHistory #MotownHistory #SoulLegends #ClassicSoul #OldSchoolRnB #60sMusic #1960sMusic #MusicHistory #MusicDocumentary #StaxRecords #AtlanticRecords #KingRecords #Hitsville #DetroitSoul #QueenOfSoul #GodfatherOfSoul #RespectAretha #DockOfTheBay #AChangeIsGonnaCome #MississippiGoddam #PeopleGetReady #ReetPetite #SoulMusicHistory #BlackMusicHistory #VintageSoul #RnBPulseTrack