I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings but the music world has lost another.
Norman Whitfield passed away on Tuesday Sep 16. From all of his productions I've heard, he really was a master of his craft.
I know Ray & Pete have memories of working with Norman. I can only imagine what it was like. I've read he could be a taskmaster but his work sounded good!
I am stunned. Norman was one of those who seem like they will never pass. He was the strongest producer I ever worked with. His musical history is amazing. He had insight to music that few ever experience. Yeah we argued and laughed and had thrills. The world is a better place because of his music. I know his music will live on as it has for years. God Bless you Norman. It was truly an honor to have worked with you. Say hello to David..... I know you guys are in Heaven's studio.....layin it down.....
A very sad day indeed. The first record I ever bought was Ball of Confusion by the Temptations. The Whitfield / Strong songwriting partnership produced some real gems including Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me) and Papa Was A Rolling Stone. How fitting that one of Norman's best songs is featured on the new Rare Earth album.
Personally, I Know I'm Losing You by Rare Earth will be the song I will remember him most for.
I feel very sad but also feel so Blessed to have known Norman.He was a wonderful and VERY talented individual.I drove him home from the studio many times and got to know him as a friend and grew to really love the guy. His music will go on forever. I'm so glad we did Pa Pa on the new CD and now it's in tribute to him.Everytime we play this song we will think of Norman.
My prayers go out to Norman's family in this time of grief.
I've been spinning some Marvin Gaye, Temptations and Rare Earth stuff...all produced by Norman. I don't think there's any other way to say it...Norman was THE MAN! So many great songs, so many great productions. A friend of mine told me yesterday "If Papa Was A Rolling Stone had been the only song he wrote and produced he'd still be one of the greats". And I can't argue with that one bit!
I WORKED WITH NORMAN AT MOTOWN AS A STUDIO MUSICIAN,AND WITH RARE EARTH ON MANY SONGS.
HE WAS ONE OF A KIND.A GREAT WRITER,PRODUCER,AND ALL AROUND FINE HUMAN BEING.
HE WAS STRONG,EVEN DOMINEERING,BUT HE KNEW EXACTLY WHAT HE WANTED WHEN IT CAME TO MUSIC.
HE WAS WELL RESPECTED BY THE FUNK BROTHERS,AND ANY OTHER MUSIC BUSINESS PEOPLE THAT HE CAME IN CONTACT WITH. HE HAD A WAY ABOUT HIM THAT MADE YOU WANT TO GIVE ALL YOU HAD,AND EVEN MORE. HE BROUGHT THE BEST OUT IN MANY PEOPLE.
I'LL NEVER FORGET THE TIME IN L.A. AT MOWEST. WE WERE WORKING ON THE "MA" ALBUM. NORMAN HAD TROUBLE WITH HIS CAR(A HOLE IN THE RADIATOR HOSE). DOES HE CALL AAA.......NO........HE'S OUT THERE WORKING ON THE HOSE WITH DUCT TAPE!! THAT'S THE KIND OF GUY HE WAS. A TRUE MUSICAL GENIUS,BUT DOWN TO EARTH EVERYDAY GUY AT THE SAME TIME.
I FEEL VERY LUCKY TO HAVE KNOWN HIM. I DOUBT THERE WILL EVER BE ANOTHER LIKE HIM.
GOD BLESS YOU NORMAN. YOUR MUSIC WILL LIVE FOREVER.
I can't say I ever met the man, but for years admired his production efforts. His hard work and determination with what he wanted the finished product to be is something we can all continue to enjoy.
I enjoyed the video Ralph, especially the cat wanting to getin on the act lol. The Ball of Confusion, War, Just My Imagination era was my favourite time as far as Motown is concerned. There were plenty of other classy things unrelated to Norman coming out by Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, R. Dean Taylor, Jimmy Ruffin, The Four Tops, The (Detroit) Spinners, Martha Reeves, Marvin Gaye etc etc, not forgetting Rare Earth of course.
Is Barrett Strong still alive? What was Barrett's contribution to those co-written songs?
As far as I know, Barrett is in the hospital and not doing very well. I hope I'm wrong. As far as his contributions...he was the co-writer on many songs with Norman but didn't do any producing with these songs. It was all Norman.
Barrett is in hospital too? Its a bad time at the moment. How about Smokey? He always seems in good health despite being a little older than many of his Motown counterpoints.
I often stumble on music sites and click on links that take me places I wasn't planning. It can be quite shocking and often upsetting when you discover certain music related personnel that you've not heard of for a while actually passed away years ago, particularly the younger ones.
