Legendary Motown Songwriter Lamont Dozier Passes Away At 81

Lamont Dozier was a legendary American singer, songwriter and producer who composed and produced many of Motown Records’ biggest successes for the Supremes, the Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Martha and the Vandellas, and other artists. He co-wrote and produced 14 US Billboard number 1 hits and 4 number ones in the UK. Dozier has sadly passed away at the age of 81.

He was one-third of the legendary “Holland-Dozier-Holland” songwriting and production team. Lamont Dozier Jr., his son, confirmed the news on social media. The cause of death has not yet been disclosed.

Rest in Heavenly Peace, Dad!🙏🏾💔🙏🏾😢!!!

Hits like “Where Did Our Love Go,” “Baby I Need Your Loving,” “Stop! in the Name of Love,” “How Sweet It Is (to Be Loved by You),” “Baby Love,” “Reach Out I’ll Be There,” “You Keep Me Hanging On,” and many others are written and produced by Dozier with brothers Brian and Eddie Holland. They were elected into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 after racking up 10 of the Supremes’ 12 U.S. No. 1 hits.

The trio’s hits persisted unabated throughout the decade as Motown prospered, but in 1968 they severed ways with the business and, because of legal issues, worked for a while under aliases. Dozier is survived by his wife, Barbara, and their three children. RIP.