Music
Ivy Jo Hunter
1940–2022 · songwriter, producer, singer, keyboardist
Detroit-raised Motown songwriter and producer who co-wrote "Dancing in the Street" and "Ask the Lonely".
- Born
Detroit, Michigan- Died
aged 82- Birth name
- George Ivy Hunter
- Detroit years
- 1940s–1970s
- Field
- Music
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Hunter grew up in Detroit, trained on trumpet and keyboards, and after army service sang in the city's early soul venues, where he befriended songwriter Hank Cosby. Cosby introduced him to Mickey Stevenson, Motown's A&R chief, and Hunter first played keyboards on sessions before Stevenson took him on as a writing partner. With Stevenson and Marvin Gaye he wrote Martha and the Vandellas' "Dancing in the Street" (1964); he also co-wrote the Four Tops' "Ask the Lonely" and "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever", the Isley Brothers' "Behind a Painted Smile" and the Spinners' "Truly Yours", and produced records for the Marvelettes, the Contours and the Velvelettes. His own singles appeared only in 1970–1971. After Motown he contributed to Funkadelic's first album and co-produced "Hold On (To Your Dream)" for former Dramatics singer Wee Gee.
Highlights
- Co-wrote "Dancing in the Street" (1964)
- Co-wrote "Ask the Lonely" and "Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever" for the Four Tops
- Produced the Contours' "Can You Jerk Like Me" (1964)
- Contributed to Funkadelic's debut album (1970)
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 1
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.
Worked here · 1960s–1971
Motown Museum
Wrote and produced sessions in Studio A at Motown's first headquarters.