Barrett Strong, an 81-year-old songwriter, and vocalist best remembered for supplying vocals on Motown’s first number-one record, Money (That’s What I Want), died. On Monday, the Motown Museum verified the news.
After singing on the label’s first big song, Money, in 1960, Strong co-wrote legendary songs like Heard It Through the Grapevine and War. He wrote several top-charting songs for the label, including “Money (That’s What I Want),” which was a hit for both him and the Beatles.
Barrett spent the rest of his life demanding a portion of the song’s profits after finding that his name had been erased from Money’s credits list in 2010.
Barrett Strong Cause of Death: How Did the Motown Singer Die?
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Motown’s first number-one hit song vocalist, died, and the cause of death has not yet been revealed. However, it is believed that he died of old age. He was 81 years old at the time.
He captivated audiences with his hooks and went on to produce one of the most lasting pop songs of all time.
Norman Whitfield and Barrett, in addition to being excellent pianists and vocalists, worked on an astounding volume of material, notably with the Temptations.
Their hit tunes were groundbreaking in tone and captured the atmosphere of the moment. Barrett will be missed by all of his friends, family, and admirers since he was a founding member of the Motown Family.
The dedication provided context for Strong’s “Money.” Strong began playing the piano after overhearing a conversation in the studio between Mr. Gordy and Motown songwriter Janie Bradford. The song “Money (That’s What I Want)” was born shortly after.
The song eventually reached number two on the American R&B charts, number twenty-three on the Billboard Hot 100, and number 288 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 greatest songs of all time.
Strong, Barrett Career Specifics Investigated
Strong was born in West Point, Mississippi, and reared in Detroit, Michigan. He began his career as a songwriter for Motown Records, writing songs for artists such as Mary Wells, The Temptations, and The Supremes.
He began producing records for Gordy’s Tamla Records label in the late 1950s. In 1960, his recording of Gordy’s song Money (That’s What I Want) became both artists’ first hit. Money peaked at No. 2 on the R&B Singles chart and No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
After performing on the label’s first smash song Money in 1960, Strong co-wrote legendary songs like Heard It Through the Grapevine and War.
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