Lamont Dozier, of Holland-Dozier-Holland, dies aged 81

The famed producer, songwriter and one of the greatest Motown hitmakers has passed away

Lamont Dozier, of Holland-Dozier-Holland, has died at the age of 81
Author: Alastair SteelPublished 9th Aug 2022
Last updated 9th Aug 2022

Lamont Dozier, of Holland-Dozier-Holland, has died at the age of 81. Best known for his work as part of a legendary production team with Motown Records, he helped propel the label into a domineering force in the 1960s, producing hits across the R&B, soul, and pop world.

As part of the Holland-Dozier-Holland team, Lamont Dozier wrote hits for groups including The Supremes, The Isley Brothers, The Four Tops, as well as Martha and the Vandellas.

Over his career, Dozier co-wrote and produced 14 US Billboard Number 1 and 4 UK Number 1 hits.

Dozier's passing was confirmed by his family to Jazz FM. Tributes are pouring in from across the music world.

Jazz FM presenter Robbie Vincent, who was a friend of Lamont Dozier, paid tribute to him, by saying "...a thoroughly, thoroughly nice man, Motown would not have been Motown without Lamont Dozier".

Who was Lamont Dozier?

Born in Detroit, Michigan, on 16 June 1941, Lamont first entered the music world as a singer with the Romeos. Berry Gordy, who he would later work with as part of the Motown Records team, first signed Lamont as a vocalist, releasing his debut single 'Let's Talk It Over' in 1960 via Anna Records. His debut single was released with his original stage name Lamont Anthony.

Lamont Dozier's solo career was put on hold when he first started working with the Holland-Dozier-Holland trio in 1962. The trio, comprising of Brian Holland and Eddie Holland, wrote and released their first Motown song with The Marvelettes in February 1962 - 'Locking Up my Heart'.****

(Left to Right) Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Edward Holland Jr.

The trio's first hit was 'Heat Wave' with Martha and the Vandellas, which reached No. 4 on the Billboard Singles chart, and No.1 in the US**** R&B charts in 1963.

The group's first No.1 hit came the following year in 1963 with The Supremes ''Where Did Our Love Go', which reached No.1 in the US charts, and No.3 in the UK.

The Supremes with Dozier-Holland-Dozier in the Motown Studios

The writing trio were with Motown Records until 1967 and left to set up Hot Wax and Invictus Records. Around this time, Dozier began to focus on his solo career, releasing several singles via Invictus Records, including 'Why Can't We Be Lovers' and 'New Breed Kinda Woman'.

In 1973, Dozier split from the Holland-Dozier-Holland trio and signed to ABC Records, releasing Out Here On My Own and Black Bach, before moving to Warner Bros in 1976, and Maurice White's ARC Label in 1981.

His biggest solo hit was with ABC Records, with his 1974 single 'Trying to Hold on to My Woman'.

In the 1970s, Lamont continued to wrote for artists including the disco group Odyssey, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, and Frank Wilson. In the early 1980s, he worked with Eric Clapton and Phil Collins, writing Collins' Grammy-winning, US number one hit - 'Two Hearts'.

Phil Collins and Lamont Dozier in the studios in the mid-1980s

In 1990, the Holland-Dozier-Holland trio were induced into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

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