Motown songwriter Janie Bradford Hobbs dies at age 87
AP News • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Janie Bradford Hobbs, an early Motown songwriter known for co-writing hits like “Money (That’s What I Want)” and “Too Busy Thinking About My Baby,” has died at age 87 after an extended illness.
- Born in Missouri and later moving to Detroit, she joined Motown in 1958 as a receptionist and contributed significantly to the label’s creative success, collaborating closely with founder Berry Gordy.
- “Money (That’s What I Want)” became an early Motown hit recorded by Barrett Strong and later covered by The Beatles, while “Too Busy Thinking About My Baby” was recorded by The Temptations and Marvin Gaye.
- Bradford Hobbs also wrote songs for major Motown artists including Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, and Martha & The Vandellas, and later served as head of Writer Relations for Motown’s publishing company, Jobete.
- After leaving Motown, she founded the annual Heroes and Legends Awards, honoring music icons and providing scholarships, and is survived by her husband, children, and grandchildren.
