Motown Singer-Songwriter Barrett Strong Passes At 81 

Strong

MOTOWN RECORDS artist and songwriter BARRETT STRONG, best known as songwriter (along with partner NORMAN WHITFIELD) of many of the label's hits, such as "I Heard It Through The Grapevine," "Cloud Nine," and "War" and the singer of the company's first hit, "Money (That's What I Want)," has passed away at 81.

Born in MISSISSIPPI on FEBRUARY 5, 1941, STRONG was raised in DETROIT, and began his music career in the 1950's performing in Doo-Wop and Gospel groups, where he was discovered by MOTOWN RECORDS founder BERRY GORDY, who signed STRONG to his MOTOWN subsidiary, TAMLA. 

STRONG would transition from performing to songwriting for the label, where he achieved success with many songs performed by THE TEMPTATIONS, MARVIN GAYE, GLADYS KNIGHT, EDWIN STARR and others. He was awarded a GRAMMY in 1973 for the song "Papa Was A Rolling Stone", a #1 hit for THE TEMPTATIONS. Soon after, he left MOTOWN and resumed his singing career, recording for other labels. He was inducted into the SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME in 2004.

GORDY told VARIETY, "BARRETT was not only a great singer and piano player, but he, along with his writing partner NORMAN WHITFIELD, created an incredible body of work, primarily with THE TEMPTATIONS. Their hit songs were revolutionary in sound and captured the spirit of the times, like 'Cloud Nine' and the still relevant 'Ball of Confusion (That's What the World is Today).' My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends. BARRETT is an original member of the MOTOWN family and will be missed by all of us." 

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