'American Idol' finalists visit Motown Museum

Thursday, March 19, 2009
'American Idol' finalists visit Motown Museum
Adam Graham and Susan Whitall / The Detroit News

They came, they saw, and eight of the 10 American Idol finalists sang some Motown songs inside the Motown Historical Museum today, under the watchful eye of Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr. and singer/songwriter Smokey Robinson.

The "Idols" arrived in Detroit from Los Angeles via private jet this morning at 4:50 a.m. They arrived in a caravan of four Ford Flex Limited vehicles at the museum, fondly known as Hitsville, just before 10:15 a.m.

Gordy and Robinson motored up in Lincoln Town Cars about 45 minutes later, Gordy all business in a tan glen plaid sports jacket and tan slacks, while Robinson looked more artistic in denim blue Uggs, blue shirt and jeans, with a hammered silver cross around his neck.

The Motown founder and his "best friend" Robinson were to mentor the "Idols" in taped segments that will be aired next Wednesday and Thursday during a special "50 Years of Motown" week on the top-rated Fox TV show.

Around a dozen fans and several dozen journalists greeted the American Idol contestants as they arrived, and more fans gathered as the day went on. First out was tall, strapping Adam Lambert, wearing his usual all-black ensemble, oversized sunglasses and sporting an aqua green streak in his hair. Ypsilanti native Matt Giraud sipped Starbucks from the backseat of the Flex, and when he stepped out of the vehicle, he let a deep breath of Michigan air fill his lungs. "Hometown, alright!" he exclaimed.

Eight of the top 10 "Idols" -- Megan Joy and Michael Sarver did not make the trip due to illness, an "Idol" spokesperson confirmed -- are in town to try out songs they'll be performing on next week's Motown-themed episode in the place where so many of those hits were born: the legendary Studio A.

"It's great coming back home," Gordy said, as media gathered before him as he stepped on to the Motown property. He compared the Motown star-making machine and its inherent competitive nature to that of "Idol," and called "Idol" "probably the greatest platform in the history of the music business."

Gordy said he wasn't going to coach the kids through their songs so much as focus on them as people. He said he would prepare them for longevity in the business, and stress the importance of personal happiness in the face of success.

"I've reached my pot of gold, so to speak," Gordy said. "After (success) is when you want to be truly happy. And you can only be truly happy if you're proud of yourself."

This is not Robinson's first tango with "American Idol"; he acted as a guest judge during the show's second season and performed during the season finale of the show's sixth season.

The eight "Idol" finalists stopped and posed for several pictures in front of the museum before entering the building. Anoop Desai dressed the part, wearing a black Motown hooded sweatshirt. Lil Rounds -- who actually is rather "lil" in person --sported an Anita Baker-like, short, flirty 'do, and was bundled up in a black coat and big shades.

Scott MacIntyre, who is vision-impaired, carried a walking cane with him and was helped up the walkway to the building by an assistant. He waved to onlookers, smiling broadly.

When asked if he was going to win it all on "Idol" this year, Giraud -- sporting a cool pair of designer shades -- smiled, drawling, "We gon' try. But it's good to be home, and that's all I'm thinking about right now."

When asked what he was going to sing next week, Giraud laughed and said, "Come on, you know I can't tell you that." But he didn't hesitate when asked who his favorite Motown act is. "Jackson Five," he said. (Giraud sang the Robinson-penned Jackson Five hit "Who's Lovin' You" during "Idol's" Wild Card round, which ended up earning him a place as one of the finalists.)

Lambert said his favorite Motown act was Marvin Gaye. Frontrunner Danny Gokey said, "There's too many to choose," but added, "The Temptations have got to be one of them."

The crisp Detroit weather proved to be a bit of a shock for contestant Allison Iraheta, who announced, "It is cold!" to anyone within earshot while standing on the front porch of the Motown Museum.

The Roostertail's Tom Schoenith catered the shoot, and showed up in the 11 o' clock hour with assistants bearing trays of shrimp, wrapped sandwiches, salads, and buckets of fruit and vegetables.

At least an hour after Robinson and Gordy had departed, the "Idols" finally left Hitsville, granting autographs to a line of ecstatic fans kept behind a wooden barrier.

The Idols were all smiles about their sessions with the Motown veterans, and seemed tickled to sign autographs and answer questions. Asked what he did inside, Giraud said "Learned how to sing right!" Did Smokey show him how? "I'm hoping!" the Kalamazoo pianist replied.

Iraheta said Robinson gave her a tour of the Motown museum. "I'll have my one-on-one with him next week," she related.

Lambert said Gordy advised him of the importance of individuality, of being yourself. "I really picked up on that!" Lambert said with a grin. "The key for us all is to breathe, to relax and realize just how fortunate we all are."

The Idol Eight were then chauffeured back to their hotel just after 3 p.m.

The footage taped today will air during Wednesday's episode of "Idol," and Robinson is scheduled to perform during Thursday's elimination episode, Fox announced this morning.

Gordy said the "Idols" have a leg up on their peers, unlike Motown when it started 50 years ago.

"We started from zero; they're starting from a mountaintop," he said.

You can reach Adam Graham at (313) 222-2284 or agraham@detnews.com

American Idol is about as real as Pro Wrestling

Yet millions watch and piss away money; texting who they think should win

gs78 wrote:

American Idol is about as real as Pro Wrestling

Yet millions watch and piss away money; texting who they think should win

If you call on your phone, to register your vote, it is free.

GoGetEmTigers wrote:

gs78 wrote:

American Idol is about as real as Pro Wrestling

Yet millions watch and piss away money; texting who they think should win

If you call on your phone, to register your vote, it is free.

Even so

They all know who is gonna win


They just leading millions of people on by acting like it is a legitimate contest