Customer Reviews

Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever [VHS]

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I had the pleasure of watching this incredible program when it originally aired on NBC (May 16, 1983). Like cheese and fine wine, it gets better with age. Great sets by Stevie Wonder, Four Tops/Temptations, Lionel Richie and the original Jackson Five/Michael Jackson.

Since this was the first time in 8 years that the original Jackson Five appeared together, it looked as if Michael and brother Jermaine had a reunion/reconciliation of sorts. Jermaine, as we recall, was/is married to Berry Gordy's daughter. That kept him at Motown (in the interest of domestic tranquility) when his brothers left for greener pastures.

Another reason for this being a classic is that several of the performers have passed, and their work has been preserved; e.g., Melvin Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Mary Wells, Lawrence Payton & Obie Benson (of the Four Tops)to name a few. There's also a neat segment about the songwriters that made it all happen.

Note to previous reviewers: THIS IS AVAILABLE ON DVD. If Amazon.com doesn't have it at this time, it won't be long until they do. (I found the DVD on a major online auction website)

How is it possible that this is not out on DVD yet? It was one of the highest rated events in television history. Not just Michael Jackson, who is deservedly the most remembered part of the show, but the late Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, the incredible Temps/Tops faceoff, and many other elements demand that this piece of black culture and history be placed on a medium that will preserve it as it was meant to be.

Even though this show is 20 years old, it was great to watch it. Despite his problems, Michael Jackson was a performer to be reckoned with. That Billie Jean performance never gets old. This video also has one of Marvin Gaye's last performances. Knowing his fate and watching his perfomance is almost haunting. There were so many great performers at Motown so I'm still baffled as to why they spent so much time featuring acts like Linda Ronstadt and those dancers when they could have featured more performances by Martha Reeves and the Commodores. Finally, we also see the performance by Diana Ross that marked her downfall. Too bad most of her behavior was edited out. Her bump and grind on Where Did Our Love Go is something that could have used some editing. I don't understand why Motown won't release this special on DVD along with their other products like the Jackson 5 cartoon and Lady Sings the Blues.

what a Night it was 20 years back on Motown 25.Marvin Gaye,Diana Ross&The Supremes,Four Tops&Temptations,Stevie WOnder,all the Great Motown Writers&Producers,clips of other Greats.but the Highlight for Me was the Jackson 5 they tore the Joint Up&then Michael Jackson ripped the Place into bits with His Award Winning Performance of "Billie Jean".I'll never forget that show still the Best Tops with Me.

I have MOWTOWN 25 on the original VHS & BETA release but, as others have said, I have worn it out from overplay (not even worth converting to DVD for me).

MGM STUDIOS originally released this video...maybe they will now realize how very important it is to share this once-in-a-lifetime event with current and future generations since MJ's passing. Not only was it an EVENT for the most famous "moonwalk" since July 1969 but this episode has Marvin Gaye's last televised performance, The Supremes and even the very first appearance of DeBarge (they went on to have some great songs still sampled by current R&B artists today).

If you came to AMAZON wanting to purchase the DVD and find that the studio has not released it...THEN, leave a message. The only way to get one made is to request it!

We'll miss ya MJ.

I am only 21 years old. I was born the year this was aired on tv and saw it at least 7-10 years later. From that day on I was a Motown music fanatic!!!!!!! I also became a Michael fan that day. Even though Motown was no longer the major hit producer that it once was, it was wonderful to see all those veteran acts perform on one stage. The production of this show...the sheer magic of the event could be felt throught the tv screen! I really want to buy this on DVD!!!! I must keep this and pass it on to my children!

I had been looking for Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever for a while off and on over a few years and was very excited when I located it on line. The copy I purchased came from Kaiody Brothers bookstore through Amazon and was a very nice VHS copy. The end of the program was cut off, maybe 5 minutes, maybe 10 or 15. I contacted Kaiody Brothers and they were very professional in their response and solution. I would order from them again because they have shown themselves to be trustworthy and customer friendly.
The 25 year retrospect of Motown was such a thrill to see again. I watched it when it aired on network television about 25 years ago and it was just wonderful for me and my husband and daughter (she is a Motown fan because of her father and I) to be able to see these history makers and this "American History" retrospect again. That was GREAT televison because Motown was a GREAT company!!!

It appears that any DVD's you see out there are bootlegs. The VHS/laserdisc copies are legit. Oh, yes, I remember seeing this show the first time it aired. Oh, my, the moonwalk....! Motown may not have the right to release it. Perhaps the network does? Given the recent sad news of Michael's death, it's time to see this on DVD!

This was truly one of the most amazing events I have ever witnessed on TV other than of course the Beatles landing in America for the first tour.

They need to offer this amazing show on DVD.

This was a classic show - saw it first when it was broadcast before DVR, DVD when one couldn't save it for future. It was great. I'm glad I own it.