Barrett Strongthe songwriter of the first hit for the legendary Motown Records label, Money (that’s what I want), He passed away today at the age of 81, as announced on his The Motown Museum Twitter account.
“It is with great sadness that we share the passing of legendary @classicmotown songwriter Barrett Strong. The voice behind @motownrecords first hit, the iconic Money (that’s what I want)secured the museum located in Detroit, Michigan, the birthplace of the record company in the late 1950s.
After touring the city with his brothers, Strong’s ethereal vocal style caught the attention of Jackie Wilson, who introduced him to Berry Gordy. In April 1959, Barrett signed with Gordy’s Tamla Records, and, that same month , published his first simple, let’s Rockreports the Museum.
a historic success
In July of the same year, the singer recorded his first hit for the record company Money (that’s what I want)which reached No. 2 on the US sales charts and has been covered dozens of times, including by Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
John, Paul, George, Ringo and George Martin (who played piano) recorded Money in July 1963 and published the theme in November. According to Harrison, they had discovered the song in 1960 in George Epstein’s famous record shop in Liverpool and played it at the Decca audition in 1962. There is also a live version on the BBC.
The Rolling Stones they recorded the same theme on their first EP, in January 1964. There is also a famous version by new-wave group The Flying Lizards, in 1979.
Barrett Strong’s career
Subsequently, Strong teamed with Motown producer Norman Whitfield to create some of the label’s most critically acclaimed and successful songs, including I heard through the vineyardwho became famous both for the interpretation of Marvin Gaye as from that of Gladys Knight.
He has also collaborated with Norman Whitfield on classics such as Warby Edwin Starr (who years later recorded Bruce Springsteen); Dad was a Rollin’ Stonefrom temptations, e Take me in your arms and love meby Gladys Knight & the Pips.
Strong left Motown when the record company moved to Los Angeles in 1972.and continued his career in companies such as Epic and Capitol, as well as a few independents, and continued to record songs through the late 1980s.
The singer-songwriter, born in West Point, in the state of Mississippi, on February 5, 1941, has lived most of his life in Detroit.
The people at the Motown Museum have not provided any further details about the place, date or reason for his death.
mfb
Source: Clarin
