2 chapters across the catalog
Barney Ales, an Italian-American from Sicily, served as a key executive for Motown, opening doors at radio stations that were closed to black executives in the 1950s. While not explicitly a mob boss, Ales utilized a specific imagery and pressure to influence DJs and distributors. His role was vital in cracking the mainstream market during an era of systemic segregation.
An archival recording features Barney Ales pressuring distributors to ensure Diana Ross's single "Reach Out and Touch Somebody's Hand" reaches number one on the Billboard and Cashbox charts. Ales uses veiled threats, stating that more than just a hit record is at stake. The segment explains the importance of "calls from the field" in manipulating chart positions during the 1970s.
