Barrett Strong dead: Motown singer and songwriter Barrett Strong dies aged 81

Barrett Sturdy, the voice and songwriter behind Motown Information’ first hit, has died, in line with a submit from The Motown Museum. He was 81.

“It’s with nice disappointment that we share the passing of legendary @classicmotown singer and songwriter Barrett Sturdy. The voice behind @motownrecords’ first hit, the enduring Cash (That is What I Need),” the Museum’s submit started.

The tribute defined the historical past behind Sturdy’s Cash.

“After overhearing an in-studio dialog between Mr. Gordy and Motown songwriter Janie Bradford – Sturdy began enjoying the piano and, inside moments, ‘Cash (That is What I Need)’ was created. The tune ultimately reached #2 on the U.S. R&B charts, #23 on the @billboard Sizzling 100 and in the end #288 on @rollingstone’s ‘The five hundred Biggest Songs of All Time,'” the caption learn.

Barrett Strong during 35th Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards Induction - Show at Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City in 2004. — Barrett Sturdy was inducted into the Songwriters Corridor of Fame in 2004. (WireImage for Songwriter’s Corridor)

Sturdy, together with Motown producer Norman Whitfield, additionally created among the label’s different prime songs, together with I Heard It By the Grapevine, Wherever I Lay My Hat (That is My Dwelling), Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone, and 1971’s Simply My Creativeness (Working Away with Me).

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