Barrett Strong
Barrett Strong Jr. (February 5, 1941 – January 28, 2023) was an American singer and songwriter known for his recording of "Money (That's What I Want)", which was the first hit single for the Motown record label.[1] He is also known for his songwriting work in association with producer Norman Whitfield;[2] together, they penned such songs as "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", "War", "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)", and "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone".[1]
Barrett Strong
Barrett Strong Jr.
February 5, 1941
West Point, Mississippi, U.S.
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
January 28, 2023 (aged 81)
San Diego, California, U.S.
- Singer
- songwriter
1959–2023
In 2004, Strong was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame alongside Whitfield.[3]
Early life[edit]
Strong was born in West Point, Mississippi, on February 5, 1941,[4] the only boy of six children born to Barrett Strong Sr., a minister. His family moved to Detroit, Michigan, when he was four years old, and his father bought him a piano soon after.[5] Strong began singing at Hutchins Middle School in Detroit, where his classmates included Aretha Franklin and Lamont Dozier.[6]