R.I.P. Barrett Strong

He sang and co-wrote Motown’s first hit in 1960: “Money (That’s What I Want)” went to Number 2 on the Pop Charts. He later wrote unforgettable tunes for Gladys Knight & The Pips, The Temptations, and Marvin Gaye. “Papa Was A Rolling Stone”. “I Heard It Through The Grapevine”. “I Wish It Would Rain”. Written by American singer and songwriter Barrett Strong, who died yesterday in Detroit, just a week shy of his 82nd birthday.

Best known for his songwriting with the great Norman Whitfield, he was also responsible for “Too Busy Thinking About My Baby”, “War”, “Ball Of Confusion”, or “Cloud Nine”. He recorded four albums under his own name: “Stronghold” (1975), “Live & Love” (1976), “Love Is You” (1980), and “Stronghold 2” (2008). He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2004.