That quest would prove to be fruitless, yet Dozier took his advice to team up with Brian Holland before also being encouraged to pursue this career path by Berry Gordy. Photo: RedfernsDozier had sung lead as part of the Voice Masters vocal group on 'Let's Talk It Over', a 1960 single released on the Anna Records label of Berry Gordy's sister, and he had also worked with Gordy on recordings by Motown's first signing, Marv Johnson, by the time Robert Bateman quit Detroit to seek fame and fortune in New York. At the same time, Brian Holland was enjoying success as a Motown staff songwriter, co-composing the Marvelettes' 1961 single 'Please Mr Postman', which was the label's first chart-topper, and it was Brian's main songwriting partner, Robert Bateman, who suggested that Brian should team up with a young solo artist named Lamont Dozier. In fact, Gordy produced Eddie Holland's 1958 single, 'You', prior to forming Tamla Motown, and three years later Eddie scored a Top 30 US hit on that label with 'Jamie'. The team of Holland-Dozier-Holland, inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, actually started out as three separate musical entities operating within the Detroit-based sphere of one Berry Gordy Jr.
Indeed, the aforementioned process - or variations on it - resulted in many, many songs released on the Motown label that, as written, arranged and produced by Lamont Dozier and the Holland brothers, Brian and Eddie, no one will ever forget: 'Where Did Our Love Go?', 'Baby Love', 'Stop! In The Name Of Love', 'Come See About Me', 'Back In My Arms Again', 'I Hear A Symphony', 'You Can't Hurry Love', 'You Keep Me Hangin' On' and 'Reflections' for the Supremes 'Baby I Need Your Loving', 'I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)', 'It's The Same Old Song', 'Reach Out I'll Be There', 'Standing In The Shadows Of Love' and 'Bernadette' for the Four Tops '(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave', 'Nowhere To Run' and 'Jimmy Mack' for Martha & the Vandellas 'Can I Get A Witness' and 'How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)' for Marvin Gaye 'This Old Heart Of Mine' (with Sylvia Moy) for the Isley Brothers and '(I'm A) Road Runner' for Junior Walker and the All Stars. It was a beautiful experience and one I'll never forget." I'd slide him off and go, 'Darlin' reach out.', he'd slide back in for 'I'll be there.' and that's the way we did a lot of the stuff. "Brian played the intro on the piano before I jumped in, pushed him out of the way and sang, 'Now, if you feel that you can't go on.' Then he jumped back in with the bridge, and we were both literally sliding on and off the piano stool. Hardly how things turn out in real life, you might think, yet sample this recollection by Lamont Dozier about the crafting of 'Reach Out I'll Be There' with Brian Holland: Or while a Doris Day-ish singer improvises perfectly rhyming lyrics, a Tin Pan Alley tunesmith handily concocts the music: et voilĂ , a hit record. Photo: RedfernsRemember those scenes in corny old Hollywood biopics about famous composers? One second, Beethoven's noodling around on the keyboard - da-da-da-daa - and the next thing, as an inspired look creeps over his face, he plays the entire Fifth Symphony. (You're My) Soul And Inspiration by The Righteous Brothers comes in at number three.One of the most famous record labels of all time, Motown fostered a group of uniquely talented writers, engineers and musicians who often had to invent the equipment and techniques they used to keep their music at the cutting edge. Finding a spot at number two this week is Daydream by The Lovin' Spoonful. The Mamas & The Papas has the number one hit this week with California Dreamin'.