i was going to give it to the valveettes because they were hot and you want the best stuff to go with the best group. they refused it. they didn't like it at all. they said what is this? it sounds like cartoon music or whatever. they refused it. they didn't want it. we had cut did -- the track and i didn't want to be charged for the track assuming the girls didn't want to give us any lip. we'd never had that before. no, will not go -- do it. oh, man i'm going to get charged for this track. tavis: that's the berry gordy way. >> that's the berry gordy way. i said oh, my lord, who can i put this -- oh, looked a at the bottom of the roster.

they need a hit and they aren't going to daresay no. they said what is this? this is horrible. you're always giving us the throwaway songs that nobody else wants. i assumed that the mavel -- marvel dms ettes had talked to them. that's what we did. got to talking to diane and the girls. so we got in the studio and they recorded and they were so perturbed -- i'll put it a nice way -- and while she was singing the song ♪ baby baby ♪ and it was in the wrong key. it was in the key of gladdy -- gladys. but her voice took on a whole

new thing. it became sull terrorist she was so mad and so disgusted with having to be forced to sing this song. but it put out such a feeling, a sexy feeling, a style. and she became a starlet that night. and that sound, everybody started adapting it, the key, putting it down. but that attitude was the attitude that the song needed. and -- tavis: and now we all know the words of that song. >> yeah, and shot up through the charts. told two or three million copies. straight to number one. then we had consecutive number ones, 13 in a row with the supremes. tavis: how cool was marvin gay? >> he was great, man, and just don't get on his bad side. oh, he was so good, man. we were personal friends too because we were at ana records

before we got to berry's place, motown. we were with berry's sister, and when they folded i just went over to join berry and marvin was already there with stubborn kind of fella. when we got ahold of them with "how sweet it is," baby don't you do it. started thinking about "how sweet it is request. he -- we did it in one take. eddie was in there working with give me the thing. i got to go. he looked at it. hey, man, hey. just let him do it. he went in there -- turn the thing on, man! then he put on his headphones, he said uh-huh, uh-huh. ok, i'm ready. and that guy did that song in

one take. the tape that you hear is it. took the thing off and walked out. and we said -- if we had any complaints, forget it. he didn't care. he said that's it. and walked out. tavis: it turned out to be sweet, though. pardon the pun. >> sweet. it was in the wrong key. we always put marvin's keys a little bit higher because when he had to reach he got magical, started rolling up into the falsetto and doing things. whoa. the guy was an incredible singer. tavis: i could do this for hours. tell me about the broadway -- >> the "the first wives club" openled up in san diego at the old globe theater in july and then we'll iron it out before we take it into broadway. wonderful stuff. tavis: man. you are gites have done a bunch

of wonderful stuff. >> thank you. tavis: they're legends in their own time. so many hits, so little time. lamont, glad to have you here, man. >> thank you, my pleasure. tavis: up next, a performance from grammy-nominated artist, raphael saadiq. the performance is a throwback to the good o ol days. check this out. stay with us. from his grammy-nominated c.d., "the way i see it" here is raphael saadiq performing "love that girl." enjoy and good night from los angeles. and keep the faith. ♪ you can thank mi hyun she's such a love child

and every maid in this place would love to be in her place settle down and i'll do my best to be better than the rest because she can soul and i'm glad she can soul and i'm glad so glad to make love oh, why oh, why love that girl i'm thinking how could this be

feels like a dream to me then she kissed me a kiss that gave my whole body a twist so i said girl you give my heart indianapolis she's been so she is so >> so sweet and tender >> ♪ and i'm glad oh, i oh, i love that girl uh-huh darling i'm so glad we found each other holding hands making love and all that stuff

she is so >> ♪ so sweet and tender so glad we made it through so sweet and tender >> ♪ when we're making love, baby i'm in love with you baby i'm in love with you baby ♪ [applause] >> for more information on today's show, glad you've joined us for a about the u.s. auto industry and edie falco, coming up right now.

>> there are so many things wal-mart is looking forward to helping us doing, like helping you live better. with your help the best is yet to come. >> nationwide insurance proudly supports tavis smiley. tavis and nationwide insurance, working to improve financial lite literacy and the economic empowerment that comes with it. >> and by contributions to your you. [captioning made possible by kcet public tetetetetetetetetete