Motown fans are in for a real treat, with news a 50th-anniversary concert will head to Australia next year.
The star-studded bill includes original Motown heroes The Temptations, Four Tops, Martha and the Vandelas, The Miracles, and Mary Wilson of The Supremes. The show also includes a special appearance by Joan Osbourne, who really impressed me in the Standing in the Shadows of Motown documentary. She could definitely pull off the soul of the Funk Brothers, so I’m sure she can do any songs from the Motown catalogue justice.
Jimmy Barnes and Ian Moss may seem like odd additions, but the appearance of the Aussie rockers isn’t so bizarre. Jimmy Barnes sold truckloads of copies of Soul Deep and the sequel Soul Deeper. Meanwhile Mossy is preparing to release his soul tribute album, Soul on West 53rd.
The Motown Event will make stops along the East Coast capitals next year. Tickets go on sale at 9 am on August 18.
16 February 2010 – Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
19 February 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Sydney
23 February 2010 – Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
Image source: Newscom