Barrett Strong

A pivotal figure in Motown’s formative years, composer Barrett Strong was a key associate and friend of Berry Gordy. Norman Whitfield was one of the major architects of the Motown sound, almost from its inception as a national label. During the 60’s and 70’s, Strong and Whitfield collaborated on a string of hits, including Marvin Gaye’s “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” and “Too Busy Thinking About My Baby,” the Temptations’ “Papa Was A Rolling Stone” and “Ball of Confusion,” Edwin Starr’s “War” and “Take Me In Your Arms and Love Me” for Gladys Knight & the Pips. Strong and Whitfield also penned “I Can’t Get Next To You” and “Just My Imagination.”