All articles tagged with #motown
Photo-heavy retrospective tracing Gladys Knight's journey from Motown-era star with the Pips to a modern icon, showcasing key performances and collaborations across the decades and noting her August 2026 plan to scale back touring as she enters a new chapter.
Janie Bradford, Motown’s first receptionist and co-writer of the label’s first hit "Money (That’s What I Want)", died on Aug. 21 at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles after an extended illness, at age 87. She also co-wrote Marvin Gaye’s "Too Busy Thinking About My Baby" and wrote songs for Diana Ross and the Supremes, the Temptations, the Marvelettes and more during a 25-year Motown career. Berry Gordy praised her as a founder of Motown in its earliest days, and she founded the Heroes and Legends Scholarship Fund; she was recently inducted into the Women Songwriter’s Hall of Fame.
Janie Bradford, Motown’s first receptionist who co-wrote the R&B classic Money (That’s What I Want) and hits for Marvin Gaye, Mary Wells, Stevie Wonder, and others, died at 87 after an extended illness in Los Angeles. She also helped shape Motown’s publishing as head of writer relations at Jobete and later founded the Heroes and Legends Awards. Gordy hailed her as a trailblazer, and she was inducted into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame in June.
Janie Bradford Hobbs, a key Motown songwriter who co-wrote 'Money (That’s What I Want)' and wrote for acts like The Temptations and Marvin Gaye, died in Los Angeles at 87 after an extended illness. She helped shape Motown’s early sound, later led Jobete’s Writer Relations, founded Mountain Goat Music, and ran the Heroes and Legends Awards in LA for about 30 years. She is survived by her husband and two children.
Janie Bradford Hobbs, a Motown songwriter, has died at age 87. The AP piece accompanies a photo of her with George Clinton at a 2024 Hollywood Walk of Fame event, underscoring her place in Motown’s legacy.
Ronald LaPread, founding bassist of the Commodores, died at 75 in Auckland after a sudden medical event, according to a post from his daughter. LaPread helped launch the Motown group and appeared on 11 albums, contributing to hits such as Brick House, Three Times a Lady, and Easy; he left the band in 1986 before relocating to New Zealand.
Ronald LaPread, founding bassist and a key architect of The Commodores’ early funk-soul sound, has died at 75. Born in Tuskegee, Alabama, he helped the group rise from local gigs to Motown stardom with hits like Machine Gun, Brick House, and Zoom—the latter inspired by his wife Cathy’s death during surgery. After Nightshift and Lionel Richie’s departure, LaPread left the band and later moved to New Zealand, where he continued to perform for decades.
Yahoo Entertainment flags six major inaccuracies in the Michael biopic, including missing family members and misdated early Jackson 5/Motown milestones, incorrect solo-era chronology (Off the Wall era and Jermaine’s departure), early Bubbles/vitiligo timing, and missequenced Beat It/Billie Jean/Thriller moments, arguing the film prioritizes drama over strict historical accuracy.
Legendary singer Smokey Robinson is fighting back against sexual assault accusations by filing a $500 million defamation countersuit, claiming the allegations are false and motivated by greed, while the accusers seek $50 million in damages for alleged misconduct and hostile work environment.
The upcoming Michael Jackson biopic "Michael" has added Kat Graham as Diana Ross and Larenz Tate as Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records. The film will also feature Jessica Sula as La Toya Jackson, Liv Symone as Gladys Knight, and Kendrick Sampson as Quincy Jones. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced by Graham King, the film is set to hit theaters on April 18, 2025, and will provide a portrayal of Jackson's triumphs and tragedies, including addressing the accusations against him.
Henry Fambrough, the last surviving original member of the iconic R&B group The Spinners, known for hits like "It's a Shame" and "The Rubberband Man," has passed away at the age of 85. Fambrough died peacefully of natural causes in his northern Virginia home. The group was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in November, and Fambrough's survivors include his wife of 52 years, Norma, and daughter Heather Williams.
Henry Fambrough, the last surviving original member of R&B group The Spinners, known for hits like “It’s a Shame” and “The Rubberband Man,” has passed away at 85. The group was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in November. Fambrough died of natural causes at his home in northern Virginia. He leaves behind his wife of 52 years and daughter.
Henry Fambrough, the last surviving original member of The Spinners, passed away at 85 from natural causes. The iconic R&B group, known for hits like “It’s a Shame” and “The Rubberband Man,” was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame last November. Fambrough's musical legacy includes a successful career with The Spinners, from their early days at Motown to their later hits with Atlantic Records.
Smokey Robinson, the legendary songwriter, producer, and vocalist, delivers a captivating performance at the Tiny Desk Concert. With his sweet falsetto and timeless hits like "The Tears Of A Clown," Robinson showcases his enduring talent. He also presents tracks from his new album, Gasms, including the romantic "Beside You" and the standout sax solo in "If We Don't Have Each Other." Closing with the beloved "Cruisin'," Robinson's performance leaves the audience delighted and longing for more.
The family of Cindy Birdsong, former member of the Supremes, is seeking a conservatorship over her affairs after becoming concerned about her longtime friend's control over her care and finances. Birdsong's family claims that she is incapacitated and that her friend, Rochelle Lander, has isolated her from loved ones. Lander argues that she was the only one willing to help Birdsong and has her own power of attorney. Birdsong's family initiated the conservatorship proceeding to protect her from Lander's influence. The court has scheduled a hearing for August.