MOTOWN MELDING?: Is Motown Records in danger...

MOTOWN MELDING?: Is Motown Records in danger of losing its identity?

That’s what some industry insiders believe is in store for the legendary label, which has produced acts ranging from Stevie Wonder, the Jackson 5 and Diana Ross to Johnny Gill and Boyz II Men. The rumors are swirling that Dutch giant Polygram Records is ready to lay down more than $500 million to purchase the venerable black-music label.

Under the scenario currently making the rounds, Motown would be purchased and then melded into a new super division of Polygram-owned R&B; labels headed by Tabu Records President Clarence Avant, a prominent figure in the R&B; community.

The thinking behind such a move, insiders say, is to focus the marketing and promotion efforts of Polygram-owned labels in the R&B; field.

The fear, the same insiders say, is that such consolidation would result in job losses, acts being dropped and the kind of dilution of company identity typified by Island Records, a label that has lost much of its cachet and staff since its 1989 sale to Polygram.