Motown music inspires award-winning historical research for graduate student
Maximus Miesner melds his love of music with academic research to uncover the cultural legacy of Motown in an interdisciplinary exploration of the American Dream
Growing up in San Diego, Maximus Miesner recalls the sound of Motown, R&B, and soul music wafting throughout the household. His parents’ taste in music would later become a prime source of inspiration for historical research.
A trumpet player born into a family of librarians, Miesner, is ready to walk across the stage on May 18 to receive his master’s degree in history. He is an award-winning researcher who found he could meld music with history.
Miesner entered San Diego State University in 2018 as a music major, but quickly discovered, after taking general education history courses, his love for history surpassed his desire to become a professional musician. He enjoys “history curriculum, because it lends itself to other disciplines.”
During his senior undergraduate year, he entered the SDSU Student Symposium (S³). On a whim, he decided to write about The Temptations (a Motown band he was particularly fond of) and specifically about one of the singers — David Ruffin. Miesner won a President’s Award. “It signaled to me that maybe there is something here that I could keep studying,” he said.
After graduation, he entered the master’s in history program to continue down the path of discovery where he could broaden his Motown research.
As a graduate student this year, he entered S³ — and won again. This time he received the Charles Wei-hsun Fu Foundation Philosophy Award for his research project (and second chapter of his thesis) titled, “‘Come and Get These Memories’: Motown Records, Detroit & the American Dream in the Postwar Era.”
A throughline in his research is the American Dream. Miesner defines it “as the ideal of achieving personal aspirations, success, and fulfillment.” He highlights Detroit’s booming automobile industry, and its place as a music metropolis that set the national tone for its cultural orientation in the mid 1960s.
Professors of history, Eve Kornfeld and Paula De Vos, both suggested that he visit Detroit to find primary source materials. In January, he received a travel grant and headed to the Motor City. There he visited Eastern Michigan University, Wayne State University, and the Detroit Public Library.
Research in Detroit reaps rewards
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A surprising find was a collection of fan letters. “It was interesting to see what the public perception was of Motown,” Miesner said. “Getting to hear the actual voices of the fans in letters that they sent to Motown was really fascinating.” Some were simple letters written by children, while others were formal letters written by songwriters sharing their lyrics with the executives in hopes of being discovered.
At Wayne State University, he found videos and oral interview clips. He listened to recordings of local Detroiters, Motown producers, and star performers like Mary Wilson from The Supremes, to learn about their views of the cultural and political climate. Smokey Robinson appeared in one clip that made it clear, “This is Motown — it is a distinct cultural institution of Detroit’s culture,” Miesner said. What he gleaned from these indispensable voices, was the prominence of camaraderie, a desire for self-preservation, and the ingenuity of music as defining characteristics in the ethos of the region’s musicians.
After his Detroit visit, he found Kornfeld’s suggestion rang true, that research is exponentially enhanced by being in the research location because it provides physical and tangible evidence — something not found in books.
About Miesner’s research, Kornfeld said. “It is truly interdisciplinary (not just on paper), using hermeneutics and musicological analysis as well as social history methods.”
“Working with Max has been a pleasure,” said Eric Smigel, professor of music, and coordinator of music history and musicology, who is one of Miesner’s thesis readers. “He brings a valuable blend of knowledge, curiosity, and compassion to his study of history, along with a deep appreciation for music as a cultural practice,” Smigel said. “He has been diligent about tracking down and interpreting historical sources in various media, but most impressive has been his commitment to community.
The future is an open book for Miesner
Miesner feels lucky that he found SDSU and the Department of History faculty who supported his knowledge quest. “The history department does a great job of trying to form bonds between students — it is community-based learning,” he said.
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For students considering continuing their education with a master’s or doctoral degree, Miesner’s advice is: “Don’t be afraid to forge your own path. Just because someone hasn’t done something, doesn't mean it can’t be done. I think it’s always healthy to be a little ambitious.”
Miesner points to the famous quote by Socrates: “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing,” when he thinks about the prospect of continuing his academic journey. He may begin a master’s in library science program or a Ph.D. in history — or he may blend the two.
Max is an SDSU success story according to Kornfeld. Smigel added, “Max is a creative scholar and a thoughtful citizen, and I’m looking forward to hearing about his next adventures.”
