Norman Whitfield 1941 - 2008
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ต.ค. 2024
- Norman Jesse Whitfield (May 12, 1941- September 16, 2008) was an American songwriter and producer, best known for his work with Berry Gordy's Motown label during the 1960s.[1] He was credited as being one of the creators of the Motown Sound, as well as one of the major instrumental figures in the late-60s sub-genre of psychedelic soul.
Of the hit singles Whitfield produced in his 25-year career included "I Heard It through the Grapevine", "Ain't Too Proud to Beg", "Cloud Nine", "War", "Papa Was a Rolling Stone", "Smiling Faces Sometimes" and "Car Wash". Alongside his Motown lyrical collaborator Barrett Strong, he was inducted to the Songwriter's Hall of Fame in 2004.[2]
During his last months alive, Whitfield stayed bedded at Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Medical Center where he underwent treatment for his bout with diabetes and other ailments. Within a few weeks before his death, Whitfield fell into a coma, which he eventually recovered from[3]. According to The Undisputed Truth leader Joe Harris, Whitfield died on September 16, 2008 at approximately 3:30 pm.
I had the huge pleasure of working with Norman at Motown. I was the Chief Recording Engineer and I was involved with many of Normans hits.
He was one of the best of the best! Norman was also one hell of a great guy. The many untold hours we spent together putting those mega-hits
together was memories I will never forget.
You are a legend Mr. Terrana. Thank you for your contribution!
Maybe u should do a podcast and share some of your untold memories at motown ?.
@@itsmythang4177 have a look on SoulfulDetroit.com might be something on there
we know you man it is a pleasure to meet with you here.
where the fuck are the interviews, documentaries on this man...ABSOLUTE FUCKING LEGEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree. I'm disappointed with a lot of the Whitfield stories. I met him as a kid at a Detroit mall. He was shopping and I asked him about an instrument on "Smiling Faces Sometimes" by the Tempts. He was very nice by the way. He explained it, but I later learned it was Dennis Coffey, and he played the guitar with a fuzzy tone that bended the notes. I also met Eddie Holland, and he was nice as well.
Shout out to Norman for having my uncle Melvin Ragin aka Wah Wah Watson play rhythm guitar on Pa Pa Was A Rolling Stone and Carwash!!! RIP to both!!!!!
And rare earth
Melvin awesome on ma album
R.I.P norman thank you for the memories
Norman Whitefield was a BADD MAN make no mistake about it!!!👍🏾❤️💕😍
We lost another great in the falsetto singer from the Dells just recently. Time marches on. RIP - you brought much joy!
Songwriters: Barrett Strong / Norman Whitfield
"We've got to learn to live with each other
No matter what the race, creed or color ..."
Calling out to everyone across the nation
The world is in a desperate situation
Stealing, burning, fighting, killing Nothing but corruption
It looks like mankind is on the eve of destruction
We've got to learn to live with each other
No matter what the race, creed or color ...
just got to tell you what the world needs now
Is love and understanding get on board the Friendship "Crowd"...
(friendship train)
Much Health
Nice tribute to Mr. Whitfield, Thanks for the post
While we're giving "Whit" his due props, let's not forget that Barrett Strong wrote the lyrics to the majority of Whitfield's hit's. Especially those written for the Temps. They were a song writing duo, Norm wrote the music, Barrett wrote the lyrics.
Though Barrett is credited with the lyrics, I get the impression Norman Whitfield co-wrote many of the lyrics as well. In the interviews I've seen, Barrett didn't come across as being on top of it. Maybe he had gotten older and wasn't in the best of health. On the Masterpiece album, Whitfield wrote most of the words and music.
I agree, I believe Norman co-wrote the lyrics.
Did'nt he also produce a slew of hits the group Rose Royce,Ohh child,I wanna get next to you,Wishing on a star? Wasn't that him?
Yes
Rose Royce, Stargard(Which Way Is Up), etc.
Yes, he did. What if Gordy had given Whitfield a label or two and Holland Dozier Holland. Maybe the Motown machine would have still been kicking it, but they wouldn't have embraced rap, I don't think.
i was 12 when i first heard "smiling faces".me a white dude from NJ.i just knew that stuff was the best !so this week i did a little version here at youtube,and made sure to give props to misters W and S,and never knew about mr strong,then just now i dropped another song of my own ,based on my love for the song "money" then i find out mr S was part of both!!
then i heard the new stronghold stuff and its amazing !!GOD BLESS YOU MR S and carry on!!carry on carryt on!
Norman is always like me
I am sorry to say I never heard of Barrett Strong, THANKS.
Strings arrangement credit goes to Paul Riser on all Motown records.
David Van De Pitte did the arrangement on "Smiling Faces Sometimes," which was outstanding.
@@hasake8873 yes indeed for the Temps, but the one that made it to the top 10, is smiling faces by the UT arranged by Jerry Long. Paul Riser arranged for more artists that we may need pages to write them down, but since we are talking about the Temps, we can mention, Masterpiece, All directions ( papa was a rolling stone he won a Grammy), Solid Rock, Car wash, I heard it through the grapevine (M Gaye), 1990 ( The amazing album), and many more.
@@jankove2 Smiling Faces by the UTsold well as did most singles. It was also more suitable for dancing. And, as I mentioned, Eddie had left the Tempts, and Whitfield produced the UT version after the Tempts version, but the Tempts' version was recorded first.
@@hasake8873 Eddie was in the group when they recorded smiling faces, He was the lead singer, as well as Just my imagination, I was just talking about Paul Riser, didn't get the credit he deserves. By the way Jerry Long arranged Just my imagination The Temps version.
I really loved his music...RIP brother..
Norman also wrote When she was my girl song by the 4 Tops.
ah man, i just heard the news, RIP
OMG i only found out tonight when i whent to see the temptations live at the apollo.RIP
You will also be missed Mickey Shadd.
Tightest
@MOREHOUSE80...his most famous song was Money (That's All I Want). Its a great song btw... If you don't know that song i'm not surprised you never heard of him because I guess you could say he was a one hit wonder when it comes to songs and he had a more lucrative writing career.
WHO IS THAT IN THE WHEELCHAIR?
He Was The Tightest RIH
@gotagetchaa1 I 2004 he was found guilty of non payment of taxes so he was placed on house arrest for a year. He did have some money
LOOKING AT UNSUNG TALKING ABT NORMAN. MAN REALLY HE DID A BERRY GORDY TO ROSE ROYCE
+sierria64 I'm looking at it too , LOL . That was normal industry techniques back in those days ...
@hitsville4ever - Oh, that sucks! :(