The Funk Brothers

As the Motown house band, the Funk Brothers played on more number one singles than any other band in history, racking up more hits than the Beatles, the Beach Boys, Elvis Presley, and the Rolling Stones combined. This cast of unsung session men were instrumental in fashioning the trademark Motown sound, playing on hits for giants such as the Miracles, the Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and the Supremes. The astute Berry Gordy, realizing their importance, kept most of the musicians under contract from 1959 to 1972. A 2002 documentary, Standing in the Shadows of Motown, finally earned the players some long overdue recognition, with the accompanying soundtrack going on to win two Grammy Awards and the band garnering a Lifetime Achievement Award. ~ TiVo Staff