hitsville system. >> motown was a very unique place. a lot of other companies were being run by businessmen. we had a music man at the helm. berry gordy was a songwriter. >> ironically, here he was trying his best to make black music that would cross over to the white world. ended up making the greatest black music ever. >> he created a machine. where you take the artist, polish them up. make them a great package that they can play "the ed sullivan show" and kill. >> back in the '60s, marvin gaye wanted to be frank sinatra. >> he was clean, svelte, clean-shaven, debonaire. all that changed in the '70s. >> why can't i make a record like the beatles? i'm selling records like they sell. why can't i have that artistic expression? ♪ punish me with brutality ♪ talk to me honey so you can