Lamont Dozier, Motown Hitmaker, Dies at 81
Philkon Phil Konstantin, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons |
His death was confirmed Tuesday by Paul Lambert, one of the producers of a stage production of the musical "The First Wives Club" that Dozier participated in as a writer, and the Motown Museum in Detroit's chief executive, Robin Terry.
Neither specified a cause for the death, but the news quickly rippled through the music world and set off a wave of mourning — led by some of its greatest luminaries.
Lamont Dozier passed this morning. Lamont was part of the Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting and production team responsible for much of the Motown sound and countless hit records by The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Miracles, Four Tops and The Isley Brothers. pic.twitter.com/IWtFxyyHi9
— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) August 9, 2022
"Lamont Dozier passed this morning," Beach Boys co-founder and singer Brian Wilson posted on Twitter. "Lamont was part of the Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting and production team responsible for much of the Motown sound and countless hit records by The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Miracles, Four Tops and The Isley Brothers."
Legendary singer-songwriter Carole King added, "Gerry [first husband and co-writer Gerry Goffin], & I respected Holland Dozier Holland over at Motown. Striving to keep up with them made us better songwriters. Rest In Peace and power Lamont Dozier."
Along with brothers Brian and Eddie Holland, Dozier wrote dozens of hits for Motown — including signature songs such as the Supremes' "You Can't Hurry Love" and the Four Tops' "Baby I Need Your Loving."
RIP Lamont Dozier.
— The '60s at 60 (@the_60s_at_60) August 9, 2022
Without Holland-Dozier-Holland, there’s no Motown as we know it.
This is just a starter list. More at https://t.co/SF59mvlioF pic.twitter.com/0GIBSYceP9
The trio was officially known as the Holland-Dozier-Holland team. Their greatest success came in the 1960s. During a four-year run from, 1963-1967, they wrote more than 25 top 10 songs for the label.
RIP Lamont Dozier: My favorite interview with Lamont explaining the story of how The Supremes got "Where Did Our Love Go"....#RIPLamontDozier pic.twitter.com/GA6eywCyZI
— JR's World Of Soul (@JrWorldOfSoul) August 9, 2022
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