Early Motown songwriter Janie Bradford Hobbs died in Los Angeles after an extended illness, her family announced Saturday. She was 87.
Hobbs was born in Charleston, Missouri, and later moved to Detroit, where she was introduced to Motown founder Berry Gordy by neighbor and singer Jackie Wilson in the late 1950s. She joined Motown as a receptionist in 1958 and became involved in the company's creative process.
Early Career and Key Collaborations
She co-wrote the 1959 hit "Money (That's What I Want)" with Gordy. The song was first recorded by Barrett Strong and later covered by The Beatles. Hobbs also contributed to songs recorded by The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, and Martha & The Vandellas.
"Janie was there with me from the very beginning, before there was even a Motown, and she will always hold a very special place in my heart and in the Motown family," Gordy said in a statement. "She was one of the people who helped make Motown what it became."
Later Career and Legacy
Hobbs later served as head of Writer Relations for Jobete, Motown's publishing company. After leaving Motown, she founded the annual Heroes and Legends Awards, an event that spanned approximately 30 years and honored music icons while awarding scholarships, according to her family.
She is survived by her husband, Wardean Hobbs; daughter, Nicole Hobbs; son, Lance Finney; and two grandsons. Funeral services are pending.