Lamont Dozier was one of the great Motown songwriters. He got some of his best lines from listening to people talk.
Lamont teamed up with Brian and Eddie Holland in the early years of the Motown label. Together, they wrote songs that were era-defining hits for Martha and The Vandellas, Mary Wells, the Marvelettes, Miracles, Supremes, Temptations, Marvin Gaye, the Four Tops, Junior Marvin, Isley Brothers, Freda Payne, and more.
At least 80 of their songs made the top 40. 25 of them were number ones.
Lamont Dozier has died – he was 81.
He said he was a good listener, drawing inspiration and words from overheard conversations. Hear Lamont tell the memorable story of how his grandfather inspired the “sugar pie honey bunch” line in the Four Tops great song, “Can’t Help Myself”.
