43 reviews
Documentary/Music
1h 56m
2002
In 1959, Berry Gordy Jr. gathered the best musicians from Detroit's thriving jazz and blues scene to begin cutting songs for his new record company. Over a fourteen year period...

In 1959, Berry Gordy Jr. gathered the best musicians from Detroit's thriving jazz and blues scene to begin cutting songs for his new record company. Over a fourteen year period they were the heartbeat on every hit from Motown's Detroit era. By the end of their phenomenal run, this unheralded group of musicians had played on more number ones hits than the Beach Boys, the Rolling Stones, Elvis and the Beatles combined - which makes them the greatest hit machine in the history of popular music. They called themselves the Funk Brothers. Forty-one years after they played their first note on a Motown record and three decades since they were all together, the Funk Brothers reunited back in Detroit to play their music and tell their unforgettable story, with the help of archival footage, still photos, narration, interviews, re-creation scenes, 20 Motown master tracks, and twelve new live performances of Motown classics with the Brothers backing up contemporary performers.
- DirectorPaul Justman
- Release11 September 2002
- Genre
- Duration1h 56m
- Budget?
- Revenue?
- Rate43 reviews
- Productions
Cast

Jack Ashford
Himself

Bob Babbitt
Himself

Benny 'Papa Zita' Benjamin
Himself (archive footage)

Bootsy Collins
Himself

Ben Harper
Himself

James Jamerson
Himself (archive footage)

Uriel Jones
Himself

Montell Jordan
Himself

Chaka Khan
Herself

Gerald Levert
Himself

Joe Messina
Himself

Meshell Ndegeocello
Herself

Andre Braugher
Narrator

Gary Bosek
Young Bob Babbitt
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