![]() Fri, Jul 3, 2009
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WE REMEMBER: Norman Whitfield (the man behind The Temptations' many hits)(September 17, 2008)
*The man who wrote some of Motown's biggest hits, Norman Whitfield, has died in Los Angeles. Published reports say the prolific producer passed away yesterday September, 16 from complications of diabetes. He was 65. According to Wikipedia, Whitfield began writing for Motown when he was 19 years old. He is credited as being one of the creators of the Motown Sound, as well as one of the major instrumental figures in the late-60s sub-genre of psychedelic soul. Whitfield began hanging around at Motown's Hitsville U.S.A. offices, trying to get a chance at working for the growing label. Berry Gordy recognized Whitfield's persistence and hired him in the quality control department that determined which songs would or would not be released by the label. Whitfield eventually joined Motown's in-house songwriting staff. Initially he had a few minor successes, but he found his place at Motown when he began producing the recordings of his songs. His big break came when he took over Smokey Robinson's role as the main producer for The Temptations in 1966, after his "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" performed better than Robinson's "Get Ready" on the pop charts. Between 1966 and 1974, Whitfield produced nearly every song by The Temptations. Highlights of the hits of Norman Whitfield are: 1963: "Pride & Joy" - Marvin Gaye
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