In order to understand the evolution of R&B, it is important to know what parts of music influence one another. And without the sound of Motown Records Music, we couldn’t of had artists like Whitney Houston. We don’t think of Motown as R&B, but we should because it is early Rhythm and Blues. The beginning of the Motown Era officially began on January 21, 1959, when producer Berry Gordy received an $800 loan from a family savings fund. Berry Gordy’s legendary Motown Records label made its mark not just on the music industry, but society at large, with a sound that has become one of the most significant musical accomplishments and stunning success stories of the 20th century. Motown produced The Supremes, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, Stevie Wonder, the Temptations, the Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, and Michael Jackson. Motown played an important role in the racial integration of popular music as an African American-owned label that achieved significant crossover success. Their music communicated and brought together a racially divided country and segregated society, around the world, touching all people of all ages and races.