Motown songwriter Lamont Dozier dies, aged 81
9 August 2022, 11:28
Lamont Dozier, the Motown icon behind hits for the Supremes, the Four Tops and the Isley Brothers, has died aged 81.
The news of his death was confirmed by his son Lamont Dozier Jr on Instagram.
Lamont Dozier was one-third of the legendary production team Holland–Dozier–Holland. Dozier was responsible for 10 of the Supremes’ 12 US chart-toppers, including 'Baby Love' and 'You Keep Me Hanging On'.
The trio were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.
Dozier began his musical career working for several Detroit labels, before he joined Motown in 1962 alongside the songwriting brothers Brian and Eddie Holland.
They were behind many of Motown's biggest hits, including 'Where Did Our Love Go', 'Baby I Need Your Loving', 'How Sweet it is to Be Loved By You', 'I Can't Help Myself', 'Reach Out I'll Be There', 'You Can't Hurry Love' and 'This Old Heart of Mine'.
After leaving Holland–Dozier–Holland in 1973, Dozier focused on his solo career. His song 'Going Back To My Roots' was later a big hit for Odyssey in 1981.
Lamont later collaborated with Phil Collins on the number one single 'Two Hearts', which won the pair a Golden Globe and a Grammy.
He also worked with Alison Moyet and Simply Red in the 1980s.
Lamont Dozier is survived by his second wife, Barbara Ullman Dozier, and his six children.
