Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Mr. Motown - Let's all tip our hats (and tap our shoes) for the man who created "I Heard it Through the Grapevine," Norman Whitfield who passed away today at 67.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Don't feel sad. He's doing fiiiiiiiiiiiiine on Cloud Nine.

Brian said...

Eric,

Here's a list of others songs this fine man wrote and/or produced, songs that I love. Most of them are on my iPod.

"Pride & Joy" - Marvin Gaye
"Too Many Fish in the Sea" - The Marvelettes
"Needle in a Haystack" - The Velvelettes
"Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue)" - The Temptations
"Ain't Too Proud to Beg" - The Temptations
"Beauty Is Only Skin Deep" - The Temptations
"(I Know) I'm Losing You" - The Temptations
"I Wish It Would Rain" - The Temptations
"Cloud Nine" - The Temptations
"Too Busy Thinking About My Baby" - Marvin Gaye
1969: "I Can't Get Next to You" - The Temptations
1970: "War" - Edwin Starr
1971: "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" - The Temptations (the number #1 song the week I was born)
1972: "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" - The Temptations
1976: "Car Wash" - Rose Royce
1977: "Wishing on a Star" - Rose Royce

Also, I recommend that you read "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" about Motown bassist James Jamerson. Possibly the best bass player ever, I have even heard heavy metal guys cite him as an influence. Jamerson had all kinds of drug and alcohol problems, but he was so great Berry Gordy would have up recording sessions for days until he sobered up.

Thanks for mentioning this talented man's passing.