Motown Songwriter Janie Bradford Dies Aged 87
Janie Bradford, the Motown songwriter who co-wrote the label’s first hit single ‘Money (That’s What I Want)’, has died at the age of 87 at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles following an extended illness, her family confirmed on August 21.
The death of Bradford marks the passing of a foundational figure in American popular music. As Motown’s first receptionist and an early creative force, her contributions shaped the sound of a Detroit recording empire.
Early Days in Detroit and the Birth of Motown
Born in Charleston, Missouri in 1939, Bradford later relocated to Detroit. There, her neighbor Jackie Wilson introduced her to Berry Gordy, who had already achieved success writing hits like ‘Reet Petite’ and ‘Lonely Teardrops’ for Wilson.
Bradford began working with Gordy in 1958, prior to the official incorporation of the Motown label. While her initial title was secretary, her creative ambitions quickly drew her into the studio’s songwriting sessions.
While Gordy was developing ‘Money (That’s What I Want)’ at the piano in 1958, Bradford stepped in to help complete the composition by writing an additional verse. Barrett Strong recorded the finished track, cementing it as Motown’s inaugural hit single.
The song’s enduring legacy expanded globally when The Beatles covered it as the closing track of their 1963 album ‘With The Beatles’. The Rolling Stones subsequently recorded their own version for their first EP in 1964.
A Catalog of Classic Soul Hits
Bradford’s songwriting footprint extended far beyond her initial breakthrough. She co-wrote ‘Too Busy Thinking About My Baby’ alongside Strong and Norman Whitfield. The Temptations recorded the track initially in 1966, before Marvin Gaye turned it into a hit three years later.
Her songwriting credits span numerous Motown acts:
- Mary Wells – ‘Your Old Standby’
- Stevie Wonder – ‘Contract On Love’
- The Supremes – ‘Time Changes Things’
- Diana Ross – ‘I Am Me’
- The Marvelettes – ‘All The Love I’ve Got’
Reflecting on her early contributions, Motown founder Berry Gordy issued a public tribute. “Janie was there with me from the beginning, before there was even a Motown,” Gordy stated. “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 the desk.”
Legacy of Advocacy and Arts Education
Following her tenure at Motown, Bradford shifted her focus toward community support and industry recognition. In the 1990s, she founded the Heroes And Legends Awards, establishing a dedicated scholarship fund.
The initiative honored figures from the music industry while providing financial support for young people pursuing careers in the performing arts. Her dedication to songwriters was formally recognized earlier this year when she was inducted into the Women Songwriters Hall Of Fame.
Bradford is survived by her husband Wardean Hobbs, her daughter Nicole Hobbs, her son Lance Finney, and two grandsons. As the music community mourns her loss, her foundational verses continue to resonate across generations of popular music.