BARRETT STRONG,
1941-2023

Barrett Strong, the songwriter responsible for “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” and the singer whose “Money (That’s What I Want)” was Motown’s first big hit, has died at the age of 81.

The Motown Museum announced his death on Sunday.

“Barrett was not only a great singer and piano player, but he, along with his writing partner Norman Whitfield, created an incredible body of work,” said Motown founder Berry Gordy in a statement."

The Temptations turned multiple Whitfield/Strong songs into hits, among them “I Wish It Would Rain,” “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,” “Cloud Nine,” “Psychedelic Shack” and “Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me).” The duo also wrote “War,” a hit for Edwin Starr, and “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” a hit for Gladys Knight & The Pips, Marvin Gaye and, of course, The California Raisins.

Also a pianist, Strong won the 1972 Grammy for Best R&B Song for “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone.”

As a teenager, he turned to Gordy to manage him and release his music. His recording of “Money,” co-written by Berry and Janie Bradford, was deemed a million-seller a year after its release in 1959, effectively putting Motown on the map.

Strong was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2004.