Lamont Dozier

Born in Detroit, Michigan on June 16, 1941, Lamont Dozier was s singer, songwriter, and producer best known as one-third of Motown songwriting team Holland-Dozier-Holland (alongside brothers Brian and Eddie Holland). The trio are best known for penning classic ‘60s R&B, soul, and pop tunes including “Heatwave,” “Where Did Our Love Go,” “Baby Love,” “Stop! In the Name of Love”, “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)”, “It’s the Same Old Song,” “I Hear a Symphony,” “You Can’t Hurry Love,” “You Keep Me Hangin’ On,” “The Happening,” and many others. Lamont Dozier began his career as a songwriter and recording artist, releasing several singles in the late 1950s and early 1960s as a member of groups such as The Romeos and The Voice Masters. Lamont Dozier came to Motown Records in 1962 and began working as a writing a production team with the Holland brothers. Their work for Motown Records laid the foundation for the label’s success and propelled artists like The Supremes, The Four Tops, Martha and the Vandellas, and Marvin Gaye into superstardom. By 1968, the trio left Motown due to issues with profit sharing and royalties and formed their own labels, Invictus Records and Hot Wax Records. The trio wrote many songs for the label’s artists – including Chairmen of the Board, Freda Payne, and others – and scored noteworthy hits but poor distribution of the label’s releases led to them closing down both labels in 1977. Lamont Dozier was also a singer, releasing a series of albums during his post-Motown career including Out Here on My Own (1973), Black Bach (1974), Love and Beauty (1974), Right There (1976), Bittersweet (1979), Lamont (1981), Inside Seduction (1991), and Reimagination (2018). He also recorded a series of singles with Brian Holland as Holland-Dozier. Beginning in the 1980s, many artists influenced by his Motown hits reached out to co-write songs with Lamont Dozier including Phil Collins (1989’s “Two Hearts”), Alison Moyet (1984’s “Invisible”), and many others. Lamont Dozier died on August 8, 2022, at the age of 81.

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