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I just saw that legendary Motown Producer Norman Whitfield died late last night. May he rest in peace! AOL had this to say!-


LOS ANGELES (Sept. 17) - Norman Whitfield, who co-wrote a string of Motown classics including "War" and "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," has died. He was 67.
A spokeswoman at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center says Whitfield died there Tuesday. He suffered from complications of diabetes and had recently emerged from a coma, The Detroit Free Press reported.

"Motown producer who during the 1960s and '70s injected rock and psychedelic touches into the label's soul music. Many of his biggest hits were co-written with Barrett Strong, with whom he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2004.
The two won the Grammy in 1972 for best R&B song for the Temptations' "Papa Was a Rolling Stone." Whitfield won another Grammy in 1976 for best original TV or motion picture score for "Car Wash."
Whitfield also worked as a producer for the Temptations and others.
Many of Whitfield's songs from that era, including Edwin Starr's 1970 "War" and the Temptations' 1970 "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)," have a strong political tone.
In a statement, Motown great Smokey Robinson hailed Whitfield as "one of the most prolific songwriters and record producers of our time. He will live forever through his great music."
Among Whitfield's other songs, according to the Songwriters Hall Web site, are "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep," "Cloud Nine" and "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)," all hits for the Temptations; and "Too Busy Thinking About My Baby," a 1969 hit for Marvin Gaye.
Just last week, Gaye's version of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," from 1968, was ranked at No. 65 in Billboard magazine's compilation of the top singles of the past 50 years. It was also a hit for Gladys Knight and the Pips, in 1967.

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"Join The Dark Side"
"I Talk The Talk and Walk The Walk!"
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What a loss for the music world. It has been a tough year for the greats. We have some lost really influential people. Mr Whitfield made classics, standards now! Truly a genius! WAR & BALL OF CONFUSION were instrumental in the mentality of America's youth. It made them realize that the world was in trouble. And through these same songs, they moved us not only on the dance floor, but as a people. RIP

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DO THE RIGHT THING!

I am truly saddened by this news.

I feel a deep loss.

R.I.P. Mr. Whitfield.

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It's always been 'bout the music..........

My love for music started with the Motown sound and which lead to a futher love for the 'Northern Soul Scene' which exploded on to the dancefloors around Northern England in the mid 70's. All my first record buys as a kid were on the Tamela/Motown label. All that Whitfield & Strong collaberated on was pure magic to me. All lovers of soul/dance music have lost a true legend.

Thank You For The Music!

Norman Whitfield

God Bless & R.I.P

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"If It Moves Funk It"

WOW, what a bummer.
Norman Whitfield was one of my idols of the music scene.

Along with many other Top 10 hits and crossover hits he produced I had a couple of "Club Favs" that were typical of his music--->lots of momentum, soul, & funk!! Here are a few:

The Temptations: "MASTERPIECE", "LAW OF THE LAND"
Undisputed Truth: "I'M A FOOL FOR YOU", "BIG JOHN IS MY NAME"
Rose Royce: "YOU + ME = LOVE"

Right now he is probably planning a LIVE REMIX with Norman Harris, Issaic Hayes, & Barry White!!!!

PETE'S NOTE:: I know this is in bad taste, sorry if I offend anyone, but I must correct Jay; THIS IS BAD- Sorry, wrong choice of word, it would be accurate calling it a DEAD REMIX!! Sorry, my sick sense of humor could not pass that set up!

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Jayski
"Doin'The Doo"

I remember hearing 'papa was a rolling stone' by The Temptations for the very first time. I walked into this dark, empty nightclub where booming bass came from the speakers...I remember very well this amazing feel of deep space that the music created, a certain slightly threathening atmosphere, the handclaps, the strings...and then those deep male voices coming down from heaven, like the voice of God;
'it was the third of september, that day I'll always remember, cause that day my daddy died....that was the day he left us alone...'

Norman Whitfield is no longer amongst us, that day I'll always remember
U will be missed

Tough year for dance music. We are losing our pioneers!

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Can't take it with you

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Jayski
"Doin'The Doo"

And thank you for:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5atyymEXcX0



R.I.P.

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God Bless!

When you consider that he WAS Motown, I expect everyone associated with dance/funk/disco/soul/R&B to miss him. I do. I also thank God he left us his great work. Thank You!

_________________
"Join The Dark Side"
"I Talk The Talk and Walk The Walk!"
http://www.myspace.com/pete_denis