Motown songwriter Janie Bradford dies aged 87
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Motown songwriter Janie Bradford has died aged 87, her family announced, with Berry Gordy paying tribute to her role in the label’s earliest days. The new detail is Gordy’s statement describing Bradford as a talented, determined figure who helped preserve Motown’s sense of family; her death highlights the loss of a key contributor to its foundational sound.
Bradford died on Friday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after an extended illness. Best known for co-writing Barrett Strong’s “Money (That’s What I Want)”, which reached No. 23 in the US and was widely covered, she also wrote Marvin Gaye’s 1969 No. 4 hit “Too Busy Thinking About My Baby”, worked at Motown for about 25 years and founded the Heroes and Legends Awards in the 1990s.
- Motown songwriter Janie Bradford has died aged 87.
- Berry Gordy praised her foundational role at Motown.
- She co-wrote “Money” and Marvin Gaye’s “Too Busy Thinking”.
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Motown was a Detroit-based record company founded by Berry Gordy in 1959. It became one of the most influential labels in popular music, bringing artists including Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes and The Temptations to wide audiences in the United States and abroad.
Janie Bradford joined Motown at its beginning, initially working as the company’s receptionist before becoming a songwriter. “Money (That’s What I Want)”, written with Gordy, was recorded by Barrett Strong and helped establish the label’s commercial footing; it was later covered by several other performers.
Songwriters and music publishers were central to Motown’s approach, creating material for its roster of singers and managing the rights to those songs. Bradford later worked with Jobete, Motown’s publishing arm, supporting writers and their work within the company.
More coverage
- Rolling Stone — Janie Bradford, Motown Songwriter Who Co-Wrote ‘Money (That’s What I Want’), Dead at 87
- Billboard — Janie Bradford, Early Motown Songwriter & ‘Money (That’s What I Want)’ Co-Writer, Dies at 87
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Originally published by The Hollywood Reporter as “Janie Bradford, “Money (That’s What I Want)” Songwriter, Dies at 87”.