Lamont Dozier, the Motown legend behind artists such as the Supremes, the Four Tops and the Isley Brothers, has died at the age of 81.
His son Lamont Dozier Jr confirmed the news on Instagram. So far, the cause of death has not been revealed.
As one third of the Holland – Dozier – Holland production team, Dozier was responsible for 10 of his 12 US No 1 singles, including Baby Love and Keep Me Hanging.
The three were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.
Ronnie Wood, who covered the 1963 trio of Homecoming in 2001, paid tribute to Dozier on Twitter. “God bless Lamont,” he wrote. “His song will go on.” Mick Hucknall, who worked with Dozier in the 1980s, also paid tribute on Twitter, calling him “One of the greatest songwriters of all time.”
Born in Detroit, Michigan on June 16, 1941, Dozier began his music career working for a few Detroit labels with little success. His luck changed in 1962 when he and fellow writers Brian and Eddie Holland began working at Motown. They hit the ground running, scoring three goals – Come and get these Reminders, Heatwave, and Quicksand – for Martha and the Vandellas.
They were followed in 1964 by Where Did Our Love Go, the first of 10 US chart-toppers that the trio would write for the Supremes. Four years later, after helping define the Motown sound, Holland–Dozier–Holland left the label to start the Invictus and Hot Wax labels. Dozier would continue to record as a soloist for both labels.
After leaving Holland–Dozier–Holland in 1973, Dozier focused on his solo career, with one of his first songs, Back to My Roots, later becoming a big hit for the disco group Odyssey in 1981.
Seven years later Dozier collaborated with Phil Collins on the US No 1 Two Hearts, winning both a Golden Globe and a Grammy. Dozier also worked with other British artists in the 80s, including Alison Moyet and Simply Red.
Dozier is survived by his six children.
