American singer Barrett Strong, historic 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 on Sunday. “It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of legendary Motown singer and songwriter Barrett Strong,” the Detroit-based museum wrote on Twitter.
Born in Mississippi, he 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, music and music. rhythm and blues and beyond.
It is with great sadness that we share the passing of legendary @ClassicMotown singer and songwriter Barrett Strong. The voice behind @motown’s first hit, the iconic “Money (That’s What I Want),” was born in West Point, Mississippi on February 5, 1941 and was raised in Detroit. pic.twitter.com/RvINyjJgcc
Along with another Motown Records producer, Norman Whitfield, he would co-write other major label hits, including “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”, made famous by Marvin Gaye in 1968, and Temptations songs like ” Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)” (1971).
His songs written with Norman Whitfield “were groundbreaking in their sound and embodied the spirit of that era,” Motown founder Berry Gordy said Sunday, as quoted by trade magazine Billboard. “Barrett was a founding member of the Motown family, and he will be greatly missed,” he added.
