Singer and songwriter Barrett Strong (1941-2023) has died aged 81. The news was confirmed on Monday by the museum of the famous record label Motown via Twitter. The cause of death was not disclosed. Strong rose to fame in the 1960s with the hit single “Money (That’s What I Want)”.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of legendary Motown singer-songwriter Barrett Strong,” the tweet read. “Barrett was not just a great singer and pianist, he left an incredible body of work with his writing partner Norman Whitfield,” Motown founder Berry Gordy, 93, is quoted as saying by the BBC.
Born in Mississippi in 1941 but raised in Detroit, Strong was one of the first artists to be signed by future Motown boss Gordy. In 1960, his recording of the Gordy-written song “Money (That’s What I Want)” became the first hit for both artists. The track peaked at number two on the R
Strong also worked as a songwriter and co-wrote some big hits with producer Norman Whitfield (1940-2008) – including “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” and “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone”. In 1973, for the latter song, he received a Grammy for Best R
