Sad news for the music world.
Barrett Strong, historic pillar of the Motown label for which he wrote some of his hits, has died at the age of 81.
“It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of legendary Motown singer and songwriter Barrett Strong,”
the Motown Museum wrote on Twitter on Sunday, January 29.
Born in Mississippi, the singer grew up in the American capital of the automobile and released in 1959
Money (That's What I Want)
, the first hit of Motown, a large black record label which would acquire an immense influence on soul, rhythms and music. blues and beyond.
Along with another Motown Records producer, Norman Whitfield, he helped write other major label hits, including
I Heard It Through the Grapevine
, made famous by Marvin Gaye in 1968, and Temptations tracks like
Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)
in 1971.
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His songs written with Norman Whitfield
"were revolutionary in their sound and embodied the spirit of that era
," said Motown founder Berry Gordy, quoted by the specialized magazine Billboard.
“Barrett was a founding member of the Motown family, and he will be greatly missed
,” he added.