Motown, but not the same old songs

More than 20 years after its 1983 broadcast, “Motown 25” remains a TV milestone.

The Emmy-winning special, which celebrated the legacy of the Detroit-born Motown sound, marked the first time that Michael Jackson danced his “moonwalk,” cementing his status as a solo superstar. Legendary artists such as Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder performed, a singing “battle” raged between the Four Tops and the Temptations, and Diana Ross and the Supremes had a tense reunion.

Tonight’s two-hour ABC special, “Motown 45,” honoring the label’s 45th anniversary, is designed as an updated version of the 1983 show, but it’s far from the same old song.

Gaye and some other key Motown artists have died, and others -- such as Jackson, the Jackson 5, Ross and Wonder -- did not participate this time around. The program, airing at 8 p.m., was taped last month at the Shrine Auditorium.

The Commodores appear, but not with former lead Lionel Richie, although he is on hand as cohost with Cedric the Entertainer. Kelly Rowland stepped in for Ross, singing with original Supremes Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong.

Though other Motown alumni such as Smokey Robinson, Gladys Knight, Martha Reeves and the label’s house band, the Funk Brothers, do perform, most of the hits are sung by artists who were not associated with Motown, such as Wayne Brady, Michael McDonald, Nick Lachey, Joss Stone, Raven-Symone and Brian McKnight.

But it’s the music that is most important, executive producer John Hamlin maintains.

“These people are singing the greatest music ever made, and it proves that these songs truly do live on,” he said.

-- Greg Braxton