Classic Pop Icons

New “My Music” specials covering doo wop and Motown make their debut on PBS tonight.

“My Music: Doo Wop Discoveries”

“My Music: Doo Wop Discoveries” features long unseen archival footage and new live performances from pivotal R&B and pop vocal groups of the late fifties and sixties. Smokey Robinson, Mike Stoller, Aaron Neville, Neil Sedaka, George Clinton and others are also on hand to share their stories about the era. The special is hosted by Jon “Bowzer” Bauman, formerly of Sha Na Na.

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The New Releases page has been updated to include music CD, DVD and Blu-ray releases for October.

Highlights for October include:

• Van Morrison’s new studio album “Born to Sing – No Plan B” (Oct 2)
• The Beatles’ “Magical Mystery Tour” on DVD, Blu-ray and deluxe box set (Oct 9)
• “The Doors – Live at the Bowl ’68” on DVD, Blu-ray and CD (Oct 22)
• Peter Gabriel’s “So” 25th anniversary edition in standard, deluxe and Immersion formats + DVD/Blu-ray documentaries on the album (Oct 22/23)
• Neil Young’s “Psychedelic Pill” (Oct 30)
• “Velvet Underground and Nico” 40th anniversary edition in standard, deluxe and super-deluxe formats editions (Oct 30)

Motown producer, Frank Wilson, died on Thursday aged 71 after a long battle with cancer. Wilson wrote and produced classic hits for Motown greats such as Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, and the Supremes. He also recorded the song “Do I Love You (Indeed I Do),” which became one of the world’s rarest and most sought after soul records.

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The Jackson 5’s breakthrough hit “I Want You Back” is Song of the Week on Classic Pop Icons. “I Want You Back” was released on single in October 1969, backed with “Who’s Lovin’ You”. It also featured on the group’s debut album “Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5” two months later.

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The Supremes’ smash hit “You Can’t Hurry Love” is Song of the Week on Classic Pop Icons. “You Can’t Hurry Love” was released on single in July 1966, backed with “Put Yourself in My Place”. It also featured on the album “The Supremes A’ Go-Go,” which was released the following month.

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