Motown founder Berry Gordy had the idea for this album, encouraging his stable of artists to turn toward new audiences for their music,[1] particularly higher class listeners.[2] The band recorded On Broadway with musician Frank Wilson in Los Angeles, with the exception of their covers of "Make Someone Happy" (recorded in 1964) and "Nice 'n' Easy" (recorded in 1963).[3]
A brief review in Billboard suggests to retailers that this album will be a "sure-fire hit LP" with "smooth performances".[4] Editors at AllMusic Guide scored this album 2.5 out of five stars, with critic Andrew Hamilton considering this album a failed experiment that Motown should have stopped, but calling the cover of "Make Someone Happy" "an endearing rendition".[5] While many reviewers consider this a failed experiment, a 1995 review of pop stars covering musical show tunes notes that this was an innovative release.[6]
Although initial sales of this album were strong,[7]On Broadway was not as successful as previous Four Tops albums,[8] reaching 79 on the Billboard 200 and fifteenth on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart.[9]
^Segretto, Mike (July 15, 2022). "The Four Tops: Four Tops Second Album". 33 1/3 Revolutions Per Minute: A Critical Trip Through the Rock LP Era, 1955–1999. Backbeat. p. 68. ISBN9781493064601.
^McEwen, Joe; Miller, Jim (2001). "1: Motown". In Abbott, Kingsley (ed.). Calling Out Around the World: A Motown Reader. Helter Skelter. p. 17. ISBN9781900924146.
