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Barrett Strong was one of Motown's most gifted songwriters who collaborated with Norman Whitfield on such classics as "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," "War" and "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone."
It would be an overstatement to say that if it hadn’t been for a teenager from West Point, Motown might never have gotten off the ground. But it might not be too much of an exaggeration.
The Motown legend, who died last weekend, cowrote “War,” one of the most electrifying protest songs in American history.
Strong wrote hits for Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight and the Pips, and The Temptations.
As a singer he was a one-hit wonder. But teaming with Norman Whitfield, he wrote a string of hits for others, including “I Heard It Through the Grapevine.”