Norman Whitfield Net Worth $10 million Norman was raised in Harlem where he spent the majority of his spare time in pool halls. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/norman-whitfield-mn0000957729, Alfredo Egydio Arruda Villela Filho Net Worth. again with Motown; he produced the 1983 hit single "Sailing Away" by moved with his family to Detroit, Michigan when he was in his late Discover what happened on this day. A native of Harlem, Whitfield spent his early teen years hanging out in local pool halls. Mr. Whitfield joined Motown in the early 1960s, when he was not much more than 20. Motown record label founder Berry Gordy Jr. gave In 1975, faced with reduced options at the recording company that had been his professional home for more than a decade, Whitfield left Motown to start his own label, Whitfield Records. Norman Whitfield was born on the 12th of May, 1940. Norman Jesse Whitfield (May 12, 1940 - September 16, 2008) was an American songwriter and producer, who worked with Berry Gordy 's Motown labels during the 1960s. This Robert was an ironmaster at Worth in Sussex, where he acquired the estate of Rowfant and built the mansion Rowfant House. LOS ANGELES (AP) - Norman Whitfield, who co-wrote a string of Motown classics including "War" and "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," has died. In this deep excursion, Kenoly shares his musical roots and family; tells how he came into Whitfield's favor as a trusted studio partner; opens the book with stories about the height of Whitfield Records, especially the songs and the magic; recounts unforgettable memories about the production giant; reveals how that world came crumbling down in the late 60s psychedelic soul sub-genre. Music producer, arranger, and songwriter Norman Jessie Whitfield was Mr. Whitfield, who often wrote both lyrics and music, had more than 450 songs released in his lifetime, his daughter said. Whitfield enjoyed some success as a composer with "Too Many Fish in the Sea" by the Marvelettes, and "Needle in a Haystack" by the Velvettes, but it was his drive and his vision as a producer that allowed him to take over the helm of the Temptations' records. Undisputed Truth consisted of members Joe Harris, who was the lead singer, and Billie Rae Calvin and Brenda Joyce, who were formerly part of The Delicates. He is a celebrity Record producer, Songwriter, Film Score Composer. A native of Harlem, Whitfield spent his early teen years hanging out in local pool halls. During the next 12 years til 1974, he produced all the groups material, including eight studio albums, and also wrote a dozen of their hit singles. Read Full Biography. Norman's work at Motown not only beget substantial record sales and Norman Whitfield, a Grammy-winning songwriter, producer and arranger for Motown Records whose many hits, including the signature song I Heard It Through the Grapevine, helped solidify the Motown sound in the 1960s and afterward, died on Tuesday in Los Angeles. He is currently single. (The tune was by the Funk Brothers.). A native of Harlem, New York, Whitfield spent most of his teen years in local pool halls. Whitfield did return to Motown briefly in the early '80s to produce the Temptations' "Sail Away," and also the soundtrack album to the movie The Last Dragon. The company had started the '70s in exceptional financial health, the world at its feet and the sky seemingly the limit, but by the middle of the decade it had taken huge losses, not only on some recordings, but more tellingly on several dubious film-related projects that truly crippled their bottom line. His genres are R&B,soul,pop,psychedelic soul,funk,disco. Whitfield was born in Harlem, where his main achievement was to become a skilled pool player. Writer and producer of Motown classics like "War" and "I Heard It Through the Grapevine." He helped create the . Whitfield kept moving with the times, his songs taking on an edge of gritty social realism in their lyrics that were far removed from the romantic ballads on which much of the "Motown Sound" had been built across the company's first decade. Who are the richest people in the world? (modern). In terms of financial resources, his mother and father were not very well off. Norman Jesse Whitfield was born on the 12th May 1940, in Harlem, New York City, USA, and was a songwriter, music producer and arranger, and is best known for his collaboration with Berry Gordys record label Motown for which he wrote numerous hit singles such as I Heard it Through the Grapevine, War, Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me) and Papa Was a Rollin Stone among plenty of others. The story of him and songwriting partner Barrett Strong creating three distinct versions of "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" for Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight & the Pips and The Temptations reflects his creativity. New York-born music legend Norman Whitfield came to Detroit by chance. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Norman Thomas Whitfield family tree Family tree Explore more family trees. His creative activities will be very successful this year. The area was granted by William, King of Scotland in the twelfth century. Whitfield began hanging around Motown's Hitsville U.S.A. However, Norman became He married Mildred Manning. Normans education details are not available at this time. His enthusiasm was infectious, and Gordy marveled at the moments when Whitfield was hooked on an idea. Even amid all of this activity with the Temptations, he found other important outlets for his compositions, most notably in the person of Edwin Starr. Norman a job in the quality control department that determined which He also changed the main subjects of his lyrics, from love to social issues such as politics, war and poverty. Whitfield and frequent songwriting collaborator Barrett Strong were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2004. Venus is graceful, charming, sensual and social. Later that year his Cloud Nine, performed by The Temptations was honored with a prestigious Grammy Award which was followed by another Grammy for Papa Was a Rollin Stone which was released in 1973. He then started his own label, Whitfield Records, in 1975, which yielded the Rose Royce hit "Car Wash". Motown sound. People born under this sign are energetic and excitable. Gordy then agreed to have Gaye record it, and Gaye's version remains Motown's biggest hit single. He attended Northwestern High School. Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2004. Whitfield gave the song to Gladys Knight and the Pips, who made it Motown's bestselling single at the time. Whitfield was born and raised in Harlem, New York, and spent much of his teen years in local pool halls. Chinese Zodiac: Norman Whitfield was born in the Year of the Rabbit. How rich would Norman Whitefield be today? Doubtlessly, all these ventures made positive impact on Whitfields net worth. Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong: The Temptations [US1] April 23, 1969: Covered by The Truthettes: Don't You Miss Me a Little Bit Baby: Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong, Rodger Penzabene: Jimmy Ruffin: May 16, 1967: Covered by : Do Your Dance: Norman Whitfield, Dick Turner: Rose Royce: 1977: Everybody Needs Love: Norman Whitfield, Eddie Holland . We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. He wanted Berry Gordy (head of Motown Records) to have Marvin Gaye record "I Heard It Through the Grapevine". Wrote over 400 songs; produced Temptations biggest hits. various Grammy Awards, but also helped create the whole lowdown funky He was known for being a R&B Singer. However, Norman became increasingly dissatisfied working with Gordy and left Motown to form his own label Whitfield Records in the mid 70s. joined Motown's in-house songwriting staff. This was after Gordy had rejected the idea of recording it with Gaye, the Miracles, or the Isley Brothers. You may also light a candle in honour of Norman Dale . This year is also the year of personal relationships and family. [2] Their younger son Henry Whitfield, born about 1591, was a founder of Guilford, Connecticut in the American colonies where he built the Henry Whitfield House, the oldest stone house in New England and Connecticut.[3]. , money, salary, income, and assets. On 5-12-1940, Norman Whitfield was born. Here is the first-ever compilation dedicated to the distinctive and influential productions of Norman Whitfield. He was a longtime Motown producer and founded his own record label, Whitfield Records, in 1973. At 67 years old, Norman Whitfield height not available right now. That success was complicated by the growing antipathy of the Temptations themselves, who sometimes felt like backup participants on their own records amid Whitfield's production efforts -- and Whitfield's prominent visual presence on Masterpiece's artwork -- a rare level of prominence for a producer -- couldn't have helped matters with the group. For all his renown as a composer, Mr. Whitfield was even more prominent as a producer and arranger. Whitfield joined Motown's in-house songwriting staff, co-writing the Marvin Gaye hit "Pride & Joy", the Marvelettes's "Too Many Fish in the Sea" and the Velvelettes's "Needle in a Haystack". songs would or would not be released as singles. We will continue to update information on Norman Whitfields parents. [1] View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro. Also learn how He earned most of Norman Whitfield networth? He is a member of famous Soundtrack with the age 67 years old group. The first Temptations single to feature this new psychedelic soul style was "Cloud Nine" in late 1968, which earned Motown its first Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Performance by a Duo or Group, Vocal or Instrumental). On January 18, 2005, Whitfield pleaded guilty for failing to report royalty income he earned from 1995 to 1999 to the Internal Revenue Service. We have estimated In late 1962, Whitfield became part of the early boom era at Motown Records, joining the ranks of Harvey Fuqua, Mickey Stevenson, and the Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting team. . Whitfield and Barrett Strong's psychedelic soul story of a wayward father and the family he left behind became a Motown classic. Whos the richest R&B Singer in the world. Gordy then agreed to have Gaye record it, and Gaye's version remains Motown's biggest hit single. his father's car broke down there. Norman Whitfields income source is mostly from being a successful Soundtrack. According to sources, it is estimated that the total amount of Norman Whitfields net worth, as of early 2017, would exceed the sum of $10 million, acquired by his prosperous career in the music industry which spanned almost 50 years. Alongside his Motown lyrical collaborator Barrett Strong, he was inducted into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame in 2004. Among his early successes was "I Couldn't Cry If I Wanted To," written in collaboration with Eddie Holland and cut by the Temptations in late 1962. Mississippi. Barrett Strong were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2004. At 19, Whitfield began frequenting Motown's Hitsville USA offices for a chance to work for the growing label. The cause was heart and kidney failure resulting from diabetes, his daughter, Irasha Whitfield, said. Whitfield often recorded notably different versions of songs with different artists in search of a hit, and did so successfully in the cases of Edwin Starr, with "War" (1970; originally recorded by the Temptations), and the Undisputed Truth, with "Smiling Faces Sometimes" (1971; also originally by the Temptations). Miles' son, Robert Whitfield, left Cumberland and settled at Wadhurst in Sussex, where he became an ironmaster. In His career, Norman Whitfield has achieved an Grammy Award for Best R&B Song. Home; Trees; Search; DNA; Explore; . "(I Know) I'm Losing You," "Cloud Nine," "War," "Papa Was a Rollin' spent his early teen years hanging out in local pool halls. By way of Wilson's contemporary work with the Four Tops, Whitfield's influence extended to other corners of the Motown stable during this era. 1 on the R&B charts in 1966. writer: "Too Many Fish in the Sea" - as Norman Whitfield Jr. writer: "Ball of Confusion That's What The World Is Today" 1970 - as Norman J. Whitfield, writer: "Back Again" - as Norman Jesse Whitfield, Documentary writer: "Just My Imagination Running Away With Me" - as W. Norman, writer: "I Can't Get Next To You" - as Norman J. Whitfield, writer: "I Can't Get Next to You" - as Norman J. Whitfield, TV Special writer: "I Heard It Through The Grape Vine", Video Game writer: "I Heard It Through The Grapevine", Video Game as Norman J. Whitfield, "Ain't Too Proud To Beg", Documentary writer: "Just My Imagination Running Away with Me", "Ball of Confusion That's What the World Is Today" - as Norman J Whitfield, writer: "I heard it through the grapevine", "I heard it through the Grapevine", writer: "Just My Imagination Running Away with Me" - as Norman J. Whitfield, writer: "I Can't Get Next to You" 1964 - as Norman J. Whitfield, as Norman J. Whitfield, "CLOUD NINE", "I WISH IT WOULD RAIN", "TAKE A LOOK AROUND", "PAPA WAS A ROLLING STONE", "SMILING FACES SOMETIMES", TV Movie documentary writer: "Needle in a Haystack", "Ain't Too Proud To Beg", writer: "I Can't Get Next to You" 1969 - as Norman J. Whitfield, writer: "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" - as Norman J. Whitfield, writer: "I Wanna Get Next to You" - as Norman Jesse Whitfield, music: "Just My Imagination Running Away With Me", "Just My Imagination Running Away with Me", Documentary writer: "Holler If Ya' Hear Me", writer: "Pride and Joy" - as Norman J. Whitfield, Party at the Palace: The Queen's Concerts, Buckingham Palace, TV Movie documentary writer: "I Heard It Through The Grapevine", Documentary as Norman J. Whitfield, "Ain't Too Proud To Beg", "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", "Cloud Nine", "Girl Why You Wanna Make Me Blue", "Ball Of Confusion That's What The World Is Today", "Pride And Joy", writer: "Anything For You Divine Mill Film Re-Mix" - as Norman J. Whitfield, TV Series 1 episode, 1977 writer - 3 episodes, 1977 - 2000, writer: "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", "Superstar Remember How You Got Where You Are", "Ain't Too Proud To Beg", writer: "Car Wash The Pop Rox Car Jack Remix", TV Movie writer: "Papa Was a Rolling Stone", "Smiling Faces Sometimes" - uncredited, writer: "Too Many Fish in the Sea" - as Norman J. Whitfield, writer: - as N. Whitfield / writer: "Luv Me, Luv Me", TV Movie writer: "I Wanna Get Next To You", "Car Wash" - uncredited, TV Series writer: "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", writer: "I Heard It Through The Grapevine", Best Album of Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Special. Following the end of the war, it was the start of the Baby Boomer years and technology advancements such as the jet engine, nuclear fusion, radar, rocket technology and others later became the starting points for Space Exploration and Improved Air Travel. His the best movie is Car Wash. His successful albums are That Motown Sound, Favorites, Blue Velvet, Classics. Norman Jesse Whitfield, songwriter and record producer, born May 12 1941; died September 16 2008, He co-wrote and produced some of Motown's greatest hits, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. The Whitfield family was a landowning Norman family in present-day United Kingdom; the family was seated at Whitfield Hall in Northumberland. [1] He found a songwriting collaborator in lyricist Barrett Strong, the performer on Motown's first hit record, "Money (That's What I Want)", and wrote material for the Temptations and other Motown artists such as Marvin Gaye and Gladys Knight & the Pips, both of whom recorded Whitfield-produced hit versions of the Whitfield/Strong composition "I Heard It Through the Grapevine". Norman Dale Whitfield aged 69 years of Briercrest, SK, passed away on Tuesday, April 25th, 2023. He was known especially for his work with the Temptations; he produced many of their recordings for Motown, including the album Cloud Nine, whose title track earned the group a Grammy in 1969. When it comes to his personal life, Norman Whitfield managed to keep it private he had five children but details of their mother(s) is lacking. Mini Bio (1) Music producer, arranger, and songwriter Norman Jessie Whitfield was born on May 12, 1941 in New York City. After several years fighting diabetes, Norman Whitfield passed away at the age of 68, on the 16th September 2008 in Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. Mr. Whitfield won a Grammy for the album, recorded by the band Rose Royce. His first act was the Undisputed Truth, whom he had convinced to leave Motown, followed by Rose Royce, Willie Hutch, Yvonne Fair, Nytro, Mammatapee and Junior Walker. From 1966 to 1974, Whitfield produced virtually all of the Temptations' music, experimenting with sound effects and other production techniques. His early successes for Motown included such songs as Marvin Gaye's "Pride and Joy," "Too Many Fish in the Sea" by the Marvelettes, and both "He Was Really Saying Something" and "Needle in a Haystack" by the Velvelettes. He was bad. Norman Whitfield was one of the architects of the Motown sound, from its early peak as a national label through its waning days of major chart success. He wrote and produced songs for several legendary artists, including Marvin Gaye and The Temptations. A full obituary will appear at a later date. After a long bout with diabetes and subsequent health issues, Whitfield died in Los Angeles, CA, on September 16, 2008, at age 65. Cover: Courtesy of Motown Records. From 1963 onward, Whitfield had produced most of their recordings of his own songs, and by 1966, he'd completely taken over producing the Temptations in the wake of their huge hit "Ain't Too Proud to Beg," as well as "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep" and "I Know I'm Losing You." However, his real breakthrough came in 1966 when Whitfield became the main producer for The Temptations music group. Norman Whitfield; . They hate hypocrisy and gossip and can sometimes be a bit arrogant and impatient. In his late teens, he and his family moved to Detroit, Michigan, so that his father could join his sister and work in her husband's chain of drug stores, Barthwell Drugs. Norman Whitfield 1941-2008. After wood-shedding on local labels, he began writing songs for Motown and eventually promoted to head of quality control because he was so meticulous about maximizing hit records. Wash" by Rose Royce in 1976. Learn . All these accomplishments provided a significant boost to Norman Whitfields wealth. How old is Norman Whitfield: 68 years old Male. Whitfield was a native of Brooklyn, New York, and spent much of his teen years in local pool halls. The title track on the Temptations' album Masterpiece (1973) was the quintessential effort in this direction, an epic-length production propelled by a driving beat and lush instrumentation (in several layers) and filled with lyrics steeped in the urban landscape of the time -- ironically, as impressive as the latter was as a production, five people who were not entirely pleased with the track or the album were the Temptations themselves, who felt that they'd taken something of a back seat to the instrumentation and the overall production on what was supposed to be their album. Whitfield enjoyed a professional triumph with the Temptations' All Directions (1972), and followed it up with his greatest effort, the appropriately named Masterpiece (1973); and it was a two-fold personal and professional triumph, for both albums featured a lineup of the group -- Dennis Edwards, Richard Street, Damon Harris, Melvin Franklin, and Otis Williams -- which, though well-regarded, lacked the presence of acknowledged stars Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams. Moreover, Whitfield was a major instrumental figure in the late 60s psychedelic soul sub-genre. Norman moved with his family to Detroit, Michigan when he was in his late teens. Before Fame He caught the psychedelic thing. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family. Among the many soul classic songs Whitfield co-wrote, More information on Norman Whitfield can be found here. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2004. But friction and antagonism grew between Whitfield and the Temptations; the group hated how Whitfield put more emphasis on the instrumentation instead of their vocals, and that he was writing fewer romantic ballads for them. Records. At age 18 he wrote and produced songs for Detroit's Thelma Records. The Songwriters Hall of Fame's ongoing mission is to celebrate and honor the contributions and legacies of songwriters of all genres of music while developing and nurturing the next generation of songwriters through Master Sessions, songwriting craft forums, scholarships and digital initiatives. He was 67. Norman moved with his family to Detroit, Michigan when he was in his late teens. Master tunesmith helped create the "Motown Sound", His "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" one of the most played songs of the 20th century on American radio and TV. Whitfield left Motown in 1975 to start his own Whitfield Records label, scoring his last greatest success with the band Rose Royce, which earned him a second Grammy for the Car Wash soundtrack, followed by several hits at the end of the decade. Among his hits there were the soundtrack album for the film Car Wash (1976), for which he wrote the score. Whitfield scored a massive #1 hit smash with the supremely rousing and syncopated "Car Wash" by Rose Royce in 1976. Among Mr. Whitfields other hits were Papa Was a Rollin Stone, written with Mr. Strong. Their version, almost a gospel rendition, was a huge hit, by some accounts the biggest-selling single in the history of the label up to that time; in its wake, the Marvin Gaye rendition, much more raw sounding (and also produced by Whitfield), was issued, and it chalked up even bigger sales than its predecessor. placed under house arrest. All rights reserved. The family derives its name from the old English hwit - feld, meaning open white lands. In 2004, Mr. Whitfield was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. His "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" one of the most played songs of the 20th century on American radio and TV. Fish in the Sea" by the Marvelettes, and both "He Was Really Saying Whitfield scored a Norman Jesse Whitfield (May 12, 1940 September 16, 2008) was an American songwriter and producer, who worked with Berry Gordy's Motown labels during the 1960s. In the early 80s Norman started working ", Video Game writer: "I Wish It Would Rain" - uncredited, TV Special writer: "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", writer: "Just My Imagination Running Away With Me", "I Heard It Through The Grapevine", music: "Richard Pryor Dialogue" / producer: "Car Wash", "6 O'Clock DJ Let's Rock", "I Wanna Get Next to You", "Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is", "Zig Zag", "Mid Day DJ Theme", "Daddy Rich", "I'm Going Down", "Sunrise", "Righteous Rhythm", "Water", "Doin' What Comes Naturally", "Keep On Keepin' On" / writer: "Car Wash", "6 O'Clock DJ Let's Rock", "I Wanna Get Next to You", "Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is", "Zig Zag", "Mid Day DJ Theme", "Daddy Rich", "Richard Pryor Dialogue", "I'm Going Do, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, Documentary writer: "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", Documentary writer: "Ain't Too Proud To Beg", writer: "Just My Immagination Running Away With Me" - as Whitfield, Norman, writer: "I Wish It Would Rain" - as Norman J. Whitfield, Video Game writer: "Smiling Faces Sometimes", writer: "Eye of the Tiger / Holler If Ya Hear Me", writer: "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" - as Norman J. Whitfield, writer: "I Heard it Through the Grapevyne" - as Norman J. Whitfield, Documentary writer: "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" - as Norman J Whitfield, writer: "PAPA WAS A ROLLING STONE" by nm1100552, writer: "Ball of Confusion That's What the World Is Today" - as Norman J. Whitfield, Video documentary writer: "Cloud 9", "Papa Was A Rolling Stone", TV Series documentary writer - 2 episodes, TV Series documentary writer - 5 episodes, writer: "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" - as Norman J. Whitfield, writer: " I Know I'm Losing You" - as Norman J. Whitfield.