Legendary Motown singer and songwriter Janie Bradford has died at the age of 87. Her family confirmed the death on Saturday, revealing she passed away on August 21 at Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Hospital following a prolonged illness.
She was best known for co-writing Motown's first hit, "Money (That's What I Want)", alongside other songs for the legendary Detroit label. The family added: "Just recently, Janie was inducted into the Women Songwriters' Hall of Fame and over the years has been awarded numerous awards and commendations."
Tributes from Motown Founder Berry Gordy
Motown founder Berry Gordy paid tribute in a statement, saying: "I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Janie Bradford Hobbs. Janie was there with me from the very beginning, before there was even a Motown, and she will always hold a very special place in my heart and in the Motown family."
He continued: "Janie was smart, clever, witty, and fun. She was also talented and determined. In those early days, everybody did what was needed to be done, and Janie was no exception. She became Motown's first receptionist, but her talents quickly took her far beyond that desk."
A Career Spanning 25 Years
In 1959, Bradford and Gordy co-wrote "Money (That's What I Want)", which became Motown's first hit single when recorded by Barrett Strong. Four years later, the track achieved success once more thanks to the Beatles, who included it on their 1963 album With the Beatles, while the Rolling Stones recorded their own version for their first EP in 1964.
Throughout her 25-year career at Motown, Bradford also co-penned the Marvin Gaye hit Too Busy Thinking About My Baby, Mary Wells' Your Old Standby, and tracks for Diana Ross and the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, the Temptations, the Marvelettes, and many others.
Legacy and Scholarship Fund
Gordy added: "Janie's commitment to others did not end with Motown. Through her Heroes and Legends Scholarship Fund, which she founded in the 1990s, she spent decades helping deserving young people pursue their dreams while celebrating so many of the people who helped build our music community."
The Motown Museum also paid tribute, describing how Bradford joined Gordy by the piano to add her own verse to the song: "Your love gives me such a thrill, but your love don't pay my bills. Gimme some money baby!"
