Standing in the Shadows of Motown main backdrop
Standing in the Shadows of Motown main poster

Standing in the Shadows of Motown

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6.9/10 • 44

2002-09-111h 56m

DocumentaryMusic

The soul behind the sound.

In 1959, Berry Gordy Jr. gathered the best musicians from Detroit's thriving jazz and blues scene to begin cutting songs for his new record company. Over a fourteen year period they were the heartbeat on every hit from Motown's Detroit era. By the end of their phenomenal run, this unheralded group of musicians had played on more number ones hits than the Beach Boys, the Rolling Stones, Elvis and the Beatles combined - which makes them the greatest hit machine in the history of popular music. They called themselves the Funk Brothers. Forty-one years after they played their first note on a Motown record and three decades since they were all together, the Funk Brothers reunited back in Detroit to play their music and tell their unforgettable story, with the help of archival footage, still photos, narration, interviews, re-creation scenes, 20 Motown master tracks, and twelve new live performances of Motown classics with the Brothers backing up contemporary performers.

Directors
Paul Justman
Writters
Walter Dallas, Ntozake Shange

Top Billed Cast

View Credits
  1. Richard 'Pistol' Allen

    Richard 'Pistol' Allen

    Himself

  2. Jack Ashford

    Jack Ashford

    Himself

  3. Bob Babbitt

    Bob Babbitt

    Himself

  4. Benny 'Papa Zita' Benjamin

    Benny 'Papa Zita' Benjamin

    Himself (archive footage)

  5. Eddie 'Bongo' Brown

    Eddie 'Bongo' Brown

    Himself (archive footage)

  6. Bootsy Collins

    Bootsy Collins

    Himself

  7. Johnny Griffith

    Johnny Griffith

    Himself

  8. Ben Harper

    Ben Harper

    Himself

  9. Joe Hunter

    Joe Hunter

    Himself

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
--
Revenue
--
Keywords
motownmusic businessrock musicpop music