Motown
Legends and unsung figures who turned the Detroit label into an institution
The Architects
Smokey Robinson (born February 19, 1940) – Just My Soul Responding (1973)
Legendary Motown artist Smokey Robinson is the former lead singer, primary songwriter and producer of the Miracles, the label’s first superstar group. He was one of Motown’s most prolific songwriters and wrote numerous hits for his own group and other artists including “My Girl” and “Get Ready” by the Temptations, Marvin Gaye’s “Ain’t That Peculiar,” and “My Guy” by Mary Wells. He became vice president of Motown in the mid-1960s and embarked on a successful solo career in the early 70s.
Brian Holland (born February 15, 1941) – Where There Is Faith, There Is Hope (1970)
Brian Holland is a legendary songwriter and producer, part of the Holland-Dozier-Holland production team at Motown and later, their own labels Invictus, Music Merchant, and Hot Wax. Together with his brother Eddie Holland and Lamont Dozier, H-D-H co-wrote and/or produced hundreds of hit songs during the 1960s and 70s, including twenty-five #1 records.
Eddie Holland (born October 30, 1939) – Crumbs Off The Table (1972)
Eddie Holland was part of the Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting and production team that helped define the Motown sound in the 1960s, along with his brother Brian and Lamont Dozier. The trio eventually left Motown in the late 60s and founded their own Detroit-based labels including Invictus and Hot Wax.
Barrett Strong (February 5, 1941 – January 29, 2023) – Do You Want My Love (1975)
Barrett Strong’s song “Money (That’s What I Want)” was Motown’s first real hit and he later wrote the lyrics to many Norman Whitfield-produced classics including Edwin Starr’s “War” and “Papa Was A Rolling Stone” by The Temptations. He co-wrote the superb opening cut to his first solo LP with Aretha Franklin's protégé Billy Always, backed by Ray Parker Jr. and Funk Brother Melvin "Wah Wah Watson" Ragin.
Norman Whitfield (May 12, 1940 – September 16, 2008) – You + Me = Love (1976)
Norman Whitfield was a genius songwriter/producer who brought the funk to Motown and beyond, creating the entire subgenre of psychedelic soul. He co-wrote and produced timeless masterpieces for artists like the Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight & the Pips, the Undisputed Truth, Rose Royce, Nytro, and more, helping create nearly one hundred hit records during his career.
Musicians (the Funk Brothers)
Robert White (November 19, 1936 – October 27, 1994) – Young Train (1973)
The great guitarist Robert White was one of the core members of the Funk Brothers, Motown’s in-house backing band who played on hundreds of hit records. White is best known for composing and playing the main guitar riff on the Temptations’ iconic song “My Girl.”
Dennis Coffey (born November 11, 1940) – Wings Of Fire (1977)
Dennis Coffey is a genius Detroit guitarist and one of the last surviving Funk Brothers. He joined Motown’s house band in 1969 and helped usher in the label’s psychedelic soul era. Coffey wrote this phenomenal disco-funk jam for Back Home, his second LP on Westbound Records.