The American singer Barrett Strong, historical pillar of the Motown label for which he wrote some of his best-known hits, has died at the age of 81, the Motown Museum announced this Sunday.
“It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of legendary Motown singer-songwriter Barrett Strong,” the Detroit-based museum wrote on Twitter.
“Revolutionary” songs
Born in Mississippi, he grew up in the automobile capital of America and debuted in 1959. Money (That’s what I want)the first hit for Motown, a major black record label that would become immensely influential in soul, rhythm and blues, and beyond.
Along with another Motown Records producer, Norman Whitfield, he would co-write other major hits for the label, including I heard it out therepopularized by Marvin Gaye in 1968, and Temptations tracks like Just my imagination (Running away with me) in 1971.
His songs written with Norman Whitfield “were pioneering in their sound and embodied the spirit of that time,” Motown founder Berry Gordy was quoted as saying on Sunday by the trade magazine. Billboard.
“Barrett was a founding member of the Motown family, and he will be greatly missed,” he added.
Source: BFM TV
