VIDEO: MOTOWN THE MUSICAL FRIENDS AND FAMILY NIGHT

On a rather chilly Friday night in April, Broadway had a different sound of music, as Motown The Musical celebrated a pre-opening with a Friends and Family Night.

The red carpet was graced with the presence of Motown Royalty and of course, some hangers-on.

In the opening montage, you can catch a glimpse of the legends: Motown Founder, Berry Gordy; his daughter Hazel; Martha Reeves; the Original Vandellas; the First Lady of Motown, Claudette Robinson; the Velvelettes; Dennis Edwards of the mighty Temptations; Marvin Gaye III; and more!

Claudette Robinson

Martha Reeves (l) talking with What's The 411 correspondent, Chuck Whaley

Dennis Edwards (l), one of the lead singers of The Temptations

Berry Gordy Jr., the legendary founder of the Motown empire, graciously greeted his friends, family, and fans on the red carpet at the Motown: The Musical Friends and Family Night.

Mr. Gordy was excited to be in New York City to see his Broadway theatrical production about the founding of Motown and the life behind the scenes showcasing the musical acts we've all come to know. He wanted the world to know how Motown was founded and how all who had a hand in building the company felt doing it.

Mr. Gordy also recognized that timing is sometimes everything. He knows that he was incredibly lucky for Motown to be as successful as it was. As Motown was created just at the time the United States was ready for this type of creativity emanating from the African-American community.

Patti LaBelle and Anita Baker talking with the media backstage at the Soul Train Awards are hilarious

What's The 411's west coast correspondent Wanda Formey gives us a backstage pass to a hectic media room at the Soul Train Awards.

In this video, the focus is on Patti LaBelle; she talks about a LaBelle reunion for a song on the To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar movie soundtrack.

Ms. Patti also gives success tips in a manner in which only she can.

The 1995 Soul Train Awards show, held on March 13, 1995, was hosted by Anita Baker, Babyface, and Patti LaBelle.

Anita Baker won two Soul Train awards at the 1995 Soul Train Awards.

Enjoy!

Diana Ross wins a Soul Train Award, and backstage with her family and Berry Gordy Jr., the hilarity is nonstop

In this video, What's The 411 correspondent Wanda Formey was backstage at the Soul Train Awards in Los Angeles and captured Diana Ross' conversation with the media.

Ross, the original lead singer of the Supremes, received the Heritage Award for Career Achievement.

Ross, accompanied by her family members Tracee Ellis Ross, Rhonda Ross, Evan Ross, and Ross Arne Naess, and of course, Motown Records founder Berry Gordy Jr. who was instrumental in creating the Diana Ross that we know today, which made for some interesting conversation between Ross and Gordy.

Held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, the Soul Train Awards, a product of Don Cornelius' long-running television show, Soul Train, honors the best in R&B, soul, rap, jazz, and gospel music from the previous year.

This year’s Soul Train Awards show was hosted by award winners in their own right, Anita Baker, Babyface, and Patti LaBelle.

Anita Baker wins two Soul Train Awards and his blown away by Diana Ross and Berry Gordy in the audience

In this video award-winning singer Anita Baker, along with Patti Labelle, are talking with the media backstage at the Soul Train Awards.

Ms. Baker is expressing her excitement about seeing Motown founder Berry Gordy and Diana Ross, lead singer of the original Supremes, in the audience while she was performing.

Ms. Baker, a Detroit native, explains that Detroiters view Gordy and Ross in high regard, in effect the First Family of Detroit.

Anita Baker won two Soul Train Awards at the 1995 awards show.

Held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, the Soul Train Awards honors the best in R&B, soul, rap, jazz, and gospel music from the previous year. 

This year’s show, held on March 13, 1995, was hosted by award winners in their own right Anita Baker, Babyface, and Patti LaBelle.