Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever
| Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever | |
|---|---|
Newspaper ad for the airing of the special on Los Angeles NBC O&O KNBC | |
| Written by | Buz Kohan Ruth Robinson Suzanne de Passe |
| Directed by | Don Mischer |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Suzanne de Passe |
| Producers | Don Mischer Buz Kohan Suzanne Coston |
| Production locations | Pasadena Civic Auditorium, Pasadena, California, USA |
| Camera setup | Multi-camera |
| Running time | 130 minutes |
| Production company | Motown Pictures |
| Original release | |
| Network | NBC |
| Release | May 16, 1983 |
Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever is a 1983 television special, produced by Suzanne de Passe for Motown (founded in January 1959), to commemorate its 25th anniversary. The program was taped before a live audience at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California on March 25, 1983, and broadcast on NBC on May 16. Among its highlights were Michael Jackson's performance of "Billie Jean" (which popularized the moonwalk), Smokey Robinson's reunion with the Miracles, a Temptations / Four Tops "battle of the bands", Marvin Gaye's inspired speech about black music history and his memorable performance of "What's Going On", a Jackson 5 reunion, and an abbreviated reunion of Diana Ross & the Supremes, who performed their final #1 hit, "Someday We'll Be Together" from 1969. The show was written by Buz Kohan, Ruth Robinson, and de Passe. The broadcast was watched by over 47 million viewers.