"It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of legendary Motown singer and songwriter Barrett Strong," the Detroit-based museum wrote on Twitter.

Born in Mississippi, he grew up in the American automobile capital and released "Money (That's What I Want)" in 1959, the first hit of Motown, a major black record label which would acquire an immense influence on soul, rhythms and blues and beyond.

Along with another Motown Records producer, Norman Whitfield, he would help write other major label hits, including "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", made famous by Marvin Gaye in 1968, and Temptations tracks like " Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" (1971).

His songs written with Norman Whitfield "were revolutionary in their sound and embodied the spirit of that era," said Motown founder Berry Gordy, quoted by the specialized magazine Billboard on Sunday.

"Barrett was a founding member of the Motown family, and he will be greatly missed," he added.

© 2023 AFP