Janie Bradford, Motown Songwriter Who Co-Wrote ‘Money (That’s What I Want’), Dead at 87

Janie Bradford Hobbs, a songwriter who helped shape the sound of Motown, has died at the age of 87 following an extended illness at a Los Angeles hospital. According to her family, she passed away on August 22. Bradford Hobbs started her career at Motown as a receptionist in 1958, but soon became involved in the creative process, co-writing hits with founder Berry Gordy.

Some of her notable works include "Money (That's What I Want)", which was recorded by Barrett Strong in 1959 and later covered by The Beatles, and "Too Busy Thinking About My Baby", which was recorded by The Temptations and later by Marvin Gaye. She also wrote songs for other Motown artists, including Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Martha & The Vandellas, and Mary Wells.

Berry Gordy paid tribute to Bradford Hobbs, saying she was with him from the very beginning, before Motown even existed, and holds a special place in his heart and in the Motown family. Bradford Hobbs was born in Charleston, Missouri, and was introduced to Gordy by neighbor and singer Jackie Wilson in the late 1950s.

Brief written by urgent.news from Rolling Stone, Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, Associated Press — 4 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.