There has been no official announcement, but it appears that the TV special Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever may be coming to DVD. The major clue is two new Amazon listings, one for a one-DVD/150 Minute version and one for a 3-DVD/450 Minute set. Both are listed with a September 30 release date via Time-Life.
Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever is a 1983 television special celebrating the 25th anniversary of Motown Records starring some of the label’s biggest stars. Of course, the big moment of the night was Michael Jackson’s performance of Billie Jean which, for the first time, included his Moonwalk. The show was taped at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on March 25.
Among the performances:
Shop Around – Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
You Really Got a Hold on Me – Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
Tears of a Clown – Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
Going to a Go-Go – Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
Uptight (Everything’s Alright) – Stevie Wonder
Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours – Stevie Wonder
My Cherie Amor – Stevie Wonder
Sir Duke – Stevie Wonder
You Are the Sunshine of My Life – Stevie Wonder
Reach Out (I’ll Be There) – The Temptations / The Four Tops
Get Ready – The Temptations / The Four Tops
It’s the Same Old Song – The Temptations / The Four Tops
Ain’t Too Proud to Beg – The Temptations / The Four Tops
Baby I Need Your Loving – The Temptations / The Four Tops
My Girl – The Temptations / The Four Tops
I Can’t Get Next to You – The Temptations / The Four Tops
I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) – The Temptations / The Four Tops
(I Know) I’m Losing You – The Temptations / The Four Tops
What’s Going On – Marvin Gaye
(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave – Martha & the Vandellas
My Guy – Mary Wells
Shotgun – Junior Walker & the All-Stars
Devil in the Bottle – T.G. Sheppard
Lonely Teardrops – Jose Feliciano
Brick House – Commodores
Where Did Our Love Go – Adam Ant
You – Lionel Richie
I Want You Back – The Jacksons
The Love You Save – The Jacksons
Never Can Say Goodbye – The Jacksons
I’ll Be There – The Jacksons
Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
The Way of Love – DeBarge
Pretender – High Energy
Ooh Baby Baby – Smokey Robinson / Linda Ronstadt
The Tracks of My Tears – Smokey Robinson / Linda Ronstadt
Being With You – Smokey Robinson
Cruisin’ – Smokey Robinson
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Diana Ross
Someday We’ll Be Together – Diana Ross & the Supremes
Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand) – Diana Ross & the Supremes
The original three-hour show will fit fine on the single disc version, but what will be on the three-DVD set? There are performances from the night that didn’t make the broadcast program and, especially, moments that couldn’t be shown. The reunion of Diana Ross and the Supremes fell apart when Ross got upset that the other two members (Mary Wilson, Cindy Birdsong) walked next to her instead of behind her as they first walked upstage. Reports say that the action confused Ross and Wilson took over lead vocals along with the introduction of Berry Gordy. Performances of Baby Love and Stop! In the Name of Love were completely dropped as other stars rushed on stage to help finish Together.
When the show aired, that finale looked as if it was the way it was planned but it would be great, after all these years, if the entire performance made it onto the three-disc set. Hopefully, we will also see rehearsal footage and other special features on the deluxe set.
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