Music
Barrett Strong
1941–2023 · singer, songwriter
Singer of "Money (That's What I Want)," Motown's first hit, who became the lyricist behind "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" and "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone."
- Born
West Point, Mississippi- Died
La Jolla, San Diego, California
aged 81- Birth name
- Barrett Strong Jr.
- Detroit years
- 1945–1972; later years
- Field
- Music
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Strong's family moved from Mississippi to Detroit when he was four, and his father soon bought him a piano. He began singing at Hutchins Intermediate School, where his classmates included Aretha Franklin and Lamont Dozier. In 1959 he recorded "Money (That's What I Want)," co-written with Berry Gordy; released on Tamla and then leased to the Anna label as it caught on, it became the first hit for Gordy's young company. In the mid-1960s he turned to lyrics, teaming with producer Norman Whitfield on "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," "War," "Just My Imagination" and the Temptations' psychedelic-soul run that culminated in "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone," a Grammy winner for best R&B song. When Motown left Detroit he left the label and went back to singing. In 1995 he founded Blarritt Records to give young Detroit musicians a start. After his death in 2023 his funeral was held at Greater Grace Temple, and he was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery.
Highlights
- Sang "Money (That's What I Want)," Motown's first hit (1959–1960)
- Co-wrote "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" and "War" with Norman Whitfield
- Grammy for best R&B song for "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone"
- Songwriters Hall of Fame (2004)
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 4
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Studied here · 1950s
Hutchins Intermediate School
Status being checked
Detroit middle school where he began singing; classmates included Aretha Franklin and Lamont Dozier.
Recorded here · 1959–1972
Motown Museum
Motown's studio, where he worked first as a singer and then as a staff lyricist. Since 1985 the Motown Museum.
Related place · 2023
Greater Grace Temple
Northwest Detroit megachurch where his funeral was held on March 4, 2023.
Buried here · 2023–
Woodlawn Cemetery
Historic Woodward Avenue cemetery where he was buried in 2023.