2 He was a brilliant composer and record producer, one of the best to come out of Motown. He was born on May12th 1940 in Harlem, New York, and passed away on September 16th 2008 in Los Angeles, at the age of 68. He founded Whitfield Records in Los Angeles after his departure from Motown Records. He was known as the father of the “Psychedelic Funk” sound. Longer songs, a heavy bass line, distorted guitars, multi-tracked drums and inventive vocal arrangements became the trademarks of Norman’s production output, mainly with The Temptations. According to Dave Laing (Journalist for the Guardian Newspaper; Thursday 18th September 2008) stated that Norman Whitfield’s first actual job at Motown Records was as a member of staff for which he got paid $15 a week to lend a critical ear to new recordings by Motown staff, a job he said "consisted of being totally honest about what records you were listening to". He graded the tracks for Gordy's monthly staff meeting, where decisions were made on which should be released. Soon dissatisfied with quality control, Whitfield fought to be allowed to create records himself. This involved competing with such established figures as Smokey Robinson, but he got his first 3 opportunities in 1964 with lesser Motown The Temptations’ songs, during the first ten groups, co-writing and producing “Needle years of the label’s operation. Such songs as in a Haystack” by the Velvelettes and “Too “Just My Imagination (Running Away with Many Fish in the Sea” by the Marvelettes. Me)”, “Ball Confusion”, “Papa Was a Rollin’ These records brought him the chance to Stone” and “I Can’t Get Next To You” all work with the Temptations, already one of achieved platinum certification in America for Motown's elite groups. After one of selling over two million plus copies each. Robinson's productions flopped, Whitfield "Cloud Nine" won Motown Records its first took over for “Ain't Too Proud to Beg”, a Grammy Award, for Best R&B Vocal Group number one R&B hit on Billboard Hot Performance of 1969. The Temptations’ Rhythm & Blues Singles Chart week- recording projects produced by Norman ending 25th June 1966 (eight non- featured the funky psychedelic sound which consecutive weeks) that was later eventually created a large body of gold, recorded by the Rolling Stones. platinum and multi-platinum certifications that still continue in the UK and America into the For the next couple of years, he and 21st Century, making The Temptations the Robinson shared production duties for the most certified black male vocal group in music group until Whitfield became the history. Temptations' sole producer in 1968. This heralded a six-year run of scintillating This demonstrates the excellent production records with the group, many written with ability of Whitfield and the sound engineer at Barrett Strong, whose 1960 hit Money was the time, the legendary Russ Terrana (a white covered by the Beatles in 1963. man who was responsible for the sound engineering and mixing of over 89 number Whitfield developed the sound with the one records for Motown Records from the help of the Motown studio band “The Funk mid-1960s to early 1970s). The musical Brothers”, with the assistance of the compositions of Norman Whitfield and Barrett legendary Paul Riser as conductor and Strong reflected the social unrest and violent strings and horns arranger. His innovative disturbances that took place across America’s music production concentrated more on inner cities after the death of Martin Luther instrumentation and put less focus on King and also America’s involvement in the vocals, which was a major departure from Vietnam War during the late 1960s. Musically the Motown signature sound, the “Sound of they were totally in tune with the current Young America” that made production and events of that time. song-writing team Holland, Dozer and Holland famous. Norman Whitfield became “I Heard It Through the Grapevine”, in the the second record producer from Motown version performed by the late Marvin Gaye, Records to produce a number one record was also inducted into the Grammy Hall of on the UK Official Pop Singles Chart week- Fame for its "historical, artistic and significant” ending 26th March 1969 (3 weeks) with the quality. In 1986, two years after Gaye's death, classic hit single “I Heard It Through The the song was re-released in the UK and Grapevine” performed by Marvin Gaye. peaked at number eight on the UK official Pop Singles Chart, thanks to a Levi's commercial. Prior to Norman Whitfield’s departure from The song also charted successfully in Motown Records, he produced and co- Germany, peaking at number five on the wrote with Barrett Strong the majority of chart. The song also achieved chart success 4 twice on the Irish Singles Chart, reaching just how much the music industry benefited number seven on its initial release in 1969 from Norman’s creative ability, which and peaking at number four on its 1986 re- generated vast earnings across the globe release. through advertisements, film soundtracks and new recordings. The late Norman Whitfield Norman Whitfield went on to have was one of the top ten best record producers tremendous success with a film sound of the old school. His legendary and track called “Car Wash”, which was his first formidable brand shows every sign of major project after leaving Motown impacting generations to come. Records. The Rose Royce album and single were certified gold and platinum by Both Norman Whitfield and Smokey Robinson the RIAA (Record Industry Association of helped The Temptations became one of most America). The single went on to reach popular vocal groups of the 20th Century. The number one on both the Billboard Pop and group has received over thirty RIAA R&B single chart listings, whilst the album certifications, including a multi-platinum went to number 14 on the Billboard Pop certification for their 1996 release “The album chart listings. The soundtrack won a Temptations Greatest Hits.” Two more Grammy award in 1977 for Album of Best albums during the mid-1990s received Original Score Written for a Motion Picture platinum certification for the group, “All The or Television Special at the 19th Grammy Million-Sellers” and “The Temptations Give Award Ceremony. The film cost less than Love At Christmas.” They also collected $2 million to make and generated over $20 platinum certifications for their singles “I Can’t million at the box office. By the end of the Get Next To You”, recorded during the late 1970s, it is interesting to note that black 1960s and produced by Norman Whitfield, soundtracks and films had generated over and “My Girl”, also recorded during the early $100 million in estimated revenue, 1960s and written and produced by Smokey marketed mainly to black audiences. Robinson. Both singles sold over two million copies each. According to the RIAA, The Whitfield produced several gold and Temptations are now the second most platinum records with Rose Royce while certified group behind the Beatles. The they were signed to his label, in the Beatles have twenty four gold singles while process generating millions in gross the Temptations have sixteen gold singles to earnings between the USA and the UK. A their credit. single sampled version of “Car Wash” was released in 2004 from the soundtrack In the 1980s, Whitfield went into semi- album entitled “Shark Tale”. The version retirement, occasionally appearing at music was number 4 on the official UK Pop Chart industry functions. He returned to the spotlight in 2004 and achieved gold certification in 2005 when he pleaded guilty to tax evasion according to the BPI (British Phonograph charges. The case revealed that even in the Industry) for 100,000 copies sold in the UK. late 1990s he had been earning more than The soundtrack was also certified gold in $500,000 a year from royalties, as his songs Australia with 35,000 copies and New were reissued, re-recorded and used in more Zealand with 7,500 copies. The royalties than 50 film soundtracks. He was sentenced he has earned over the last ten years to six months in prison and fined $25,000, but average approximately half a million was spared jail in favour of home detention on dollars per year. This gives you an idea of account of his failing health. the income potential of these creations and 5 Norman Jesse Whitfield, songwriter and record producer, born May 12 1941, died September 16 2008. Here is a partial list of number one albums, co- produced or entirely produced by the late Norman Whitfield, released by Motown Records or his own label Whitfield Records: This album was number one on the Billboard Soul and R&B Albums Chart week-ending 2nd September 1967 (one week). The album also featured the hit single “I Know I’m Losing You”, which peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles Chart week-ending 24th December 1966 (2 weeks). 1967 “I know I’m Losing you” No.1 – Billboard Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles Chart (2 Weeks) 6 This album was number one on the Billboard Soul and R&B Albums Chart week-ending 22nd June 1968 (3 non-consecutive weeks). The single "I Wish It Would Rain" spent three weeks on the Billboard Rhythm & Blues Singles Chart in February and March 1968 and peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 Pop Singles Chart. The single was the focal point of the Temptations' number one 1968 album “The Temptations Wish It Would Rain”. "I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)" is a single recorded by The Temptations and released on Motown Records' Gordy label during the spring of 1968.