What was Motowns first hit single?

Answer 1

Its first hit was Barrett Strong's "Money (That's What I Want)" (1959), which made it to #2 on the Billboard R&B charts; its first #1 R&B hit was "Shop Around" by the Miracles in 1960. "Shop Around" peaked at number-two on the Billboard Hot 100, and was Motown's first million-selling record. Also in 1960, Gordy launched Motown Records as a sister label. Because of the "Motown" name's association with "Motor City" Detroit, the blanket record company under which both Motown Records and Tamla Records operated was incorporated as "Motown Record Corporation". A year later, The Marvelettes scored Tamla's first US #1 pop hit, "Please Mr. Postman." By the mid-1960s, the label, with the help of songwriters and producers such as Robinson, William "Mickey" Stevenson, Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Norman Whitfield, was a major force in the music industry.

Source: Answers.com

Answer 2

Shop Around by Smokey Robinson.

That isn't exactly correct. The CORRECT answer to this question is "SHOP AROUND" by THE MIRACLES. In 1961, Smokey Robinson was NOT a "solo" artist...and wouldn't be for another 11 YEARS. However, he WAS a member of Motown's first group and first million-selling act, THE MIRACLES .

The original members of THE MIRACLES were : WILLIAM "SMOKEY" ROBINSON, his wife CLAUDETTE ROGERS-ROBINSON, WARREN "PETE" MOORE, ROBERT "BOBBY" ROGERS, RONALD"RONNIE" WHITE, and MARVIN "MARV" TARPLIN....and ALL of them recorded "SHOP AROUND"...not just SMOKEY.

Answer 3

I believe it was "Money (That's what I want)" by Barrett Strong

Answer 4

The Marvelettes had the first number one hit for Motown with "Please Mister Postman".