The genius behind many of the most incredible soulful Motown hits, Lamont Dozier, has died. He was 81 years old and died Monday.
According to NPR, his family released a statement announcing that the “devoted father and legendary songwriter, producer and recording artist, died peacefully in his home…We love him dearly and will miss him always.”
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The Motown songwriter wrote dozens of hits for well-known musicians alongside Brian and Eddie Holland for The Supremes, The Four Tops, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, and more. Some of the hits were “Stop In The Name of Love,” “You Keep Me Hangin’ On,” “Heat Wave,” “You Can’t Hurry Love,” and “How Sweet It Is.”
Holland-Dozier-Holland was the group of prolific songwriters who made Motown “the home of Hitsville, U.S.A.” in Detroit, where Dozier grew up in. And their music is still popular today.
April of this year, the Liberty of Congress inducted Holland-Dozier-Holland’s “Reach Out I’ll Be There” by The Four Tops into the 2022 National Recording Registry.
In the 1970s, Dozier broke from the Holland brothers to embark on a solo journey and released an album. He also wrote for Phil Collins, Simply Red, and Alison Moyet.
Many artists who were close to Dozier, like Diana Ross and Carole King, along with fans of his, took to Twitter to express their sadness for his passing.
“My condolences to Lamont Dozier’s family,” Ross wrote. “He will always be remembered through all the beautiful songs that he wrote for me and the Supremes, and so many other beautiful songs.”
My condolences to Lamont Dozier’s family. He will always be remembered through all the beautiful songs that he wrote for me and the Supremes, and so many other beautiful songs. pic.twitter.com/cctfQgmfMe
— Ms. Ross (@DianaRoss) August 9, 2022
Gerry & I respected Holland Dozier Holland over at Motown. Striving to keep up with them made us better songwriters.
Rest In Peace and power Lamont Dozier. pic.twitter.com/S5kWQ25gGj— Carole King (@Carole_King) August 9, 2022
Lamont Dozier left his mark. He’ll be missed, but his lyrics live on♥️
A few he gave us:
Baby I Need Your Loving
Baby Love
Come See About Me
Heat Wave
How Sweet It Is
I Can’t Help Myself
Reach Out I’ll Be There
Stop In The Name Of Love
Where Did Our Love Go
You Can’t Hurry Love pic.twitter.com/stg1BrK1fs— Jackée Harry (@JackeeHarry) August 9, 2022
How sad that another great music legend has passed away, the great Lamont Dozier who was responsible for writing so many great songs. To me he was Mr Motown.Thanks for writing so many brilliant songs which will be played forever. R.I.P.
— Tony Blackburn (@tonyblackburn) August 9, 2022
RIP dear Lamont Dozier. 💔One of the greatest songwriters of all time. Truly privileged to have written 4 songs together- Infidelity, Suffer, Turn It Up and You’ve Got It. Rest well Soul Brother. 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/pkNnfPZgI9
— Simply Red (@SimplyRedHQ) August 9, 2022
Dozier may be gone but never forgotten.
