{
  "id": 2611794,
  "title": "Early Motown songwriter Janie Bradford Hobbs dies in Los Angeles after illness at age 87",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/early-motown-songwriter-janie-bradford-hobbs-dies-in-los-angeles",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-22T16:53:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Associated Press",
    "slug": "associated-press",
    "url": "https://apnews.com/article/bradford-hobbs-motown-gordy-detroit-songwriter-e1712b47e1ab7a3246975321df88655f"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Early Motown songwriter Janie Bradford Hobbs, who co-wrote hits including \"Money (That's What I Want)\" and \"Too Busy Thinking About My Baby,\" passed away in a Los Angeles hospital following a prolonged illness, according to her family. Born in Charleston, Missouri, Hobbs later relocated to Detroit and was introduced to Motown founder Berry Gordy by Jackie Wilson's neighbor. She joined Motown as a receptionist in 1958 and participated in the creative process that made Motown a renowned music label. Hobbs co-wrote \"Money (That's What I Want),\" which became an early hit for Barrett Strong and a later success for The Beatles. She also penned \"Too Busy Thinking About My Baby\" for The Temptations and a hit version by Marvin Gaye. Beyond her work with Motown, Hobbs served as head of Writer Relations at Jobete, Motown's publishing company, and founded the annual Heroes and Legends Awards to honor music icons and provide scholarships. Motown founder Berry Gordy praised Hobbs as one of the original Motown family, highlighting her contributions to the company's success.",
  "summary": "Early Motown songwriter Janie Bradford Hobbs, who helped pen hits including “Money (That’s What I Want)” and “Too Busy Thinking About My Baby,” has died following an extended illness…",
  "key_points": [
    "Janie Bradford Hobbs, Motown songwriter, dies at 87 in Los Angeles.",
    "Co-wrote hits Money (That's What I Want) and Too Busy Thinking About My Baby.",
    "Founded Heroes and Legends Awards to honor music icons and provide scholarships."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Early Motown songwriter Janie Bradford Hobbs dies in Los Angeles after illness at age 87",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/early-motown-songwriter-janie-bradford-hobbs-dies-in-los-angeles-2615722",
        "published": "2026-08-22T16:47:30.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hollywood Reporter",
        "title": "Janie Bradford, “Money (That’s What I Want)” Songwriter, Dies at 87",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/janie-bradford-money-thats-what-i-want-songwriter-dies-at-87",
        "published": "2026-08-22T17:02:14.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Billboard",
        "title": "Janie Bradford, Early Motown Songwriter & ‘Money (That’s What I Want)’ Co-Writer, Dies at 87",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/janie-bradford-early-motown-songwriter-money-thats-what-i-want-co",
        "published": "2026-08-22T18:05:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Rolling Stone",
        "title": "Janie Bradford, Motown Songwriter Who Co-Wrote ‘Money (That’s What I Want’), Dead at 87",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/janie-bradford-motown-songwriter-who-co-wrote-money-thats-what-i-want",
        "published": "2026-08-22T18:29:47.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}