Holland-Dozier-Holland

Dennis Coffey was a member of the studio musicians at Motown known as the Funk Brothers. Dennis recorded a string of hits with the group in the 1960s and 70s. He later joined the songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland when they formed the record company Hot Wax. Dennis’ guitar skills can be heard on such classics as “Cloud Nine” and “Ball of Confusion” (The Temptations), “War” (Edwin Starr) and “Band of Gold” (Freda Payne). Using innovative effects pedals such as the Wah-Wah, Dennis carved a niche for himself with his unique style, which led to work in the movies (Black Belt J

Lamont Dozier was one of the most successful songwriters in popular music history.  From 1962-1967 he teamed with Brian and Eddy Holland to write a string of impressive hit records for Motown Records, 25 of which hit number one on the Billboard Record Charts!  Their list of hits includes “Baby Love” by the Supremes, “(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave” by Martha and the Vandellas, “How Sweet It is (To Be Loved By You) by Marvin Gaye, “Mickey’s Monkey” by Miracles, “Reach Out I’ll Be There” by the Four Tops, “This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You) by the Isley Brothers, and “Band of Gold

Eddie Holland gained worldwide fame as a Motown Record’s songwriter and music publisher along with his brother Brian. Eddie was also a recording artist who performed the chart-topping hit “Jamie” in the early 1960s. During the same time he penned a string of hits for some of the biggest names in soul music, many of which have had crossover covers over the last 40 years. The brothers were interviewed together for the NAMM Oral History project and remarked on more than one occasion that they felt blessed to remain strong as brothers and as a songwriting team after so many years.  

Brian Holland and his brother Eddie are among the most popular songwriting teams in the history of popular music! For decades they have created the words and music to Motown’s classic sound that has forever changed the way people dance, fall in love and celebrate life. The key to their success as Brian put it during their interview together, “We balance each other and watch out for each other. We never stop being brothers and that has proven to be a blessing!” The Holland Brothers represented a younger voice when they joined the ranks of the music publishers in the 1960s and they

McKinley Jackson’s impressive discography includes his studio work as a trombonist as well as his songwriting and arranging for Motown, Hot Wax and other labels. His band, The Politicians, not only performed live and cut a now famous self-titled album and can be heard on “She’s Not Just Another Women” by 100 Proof.  McKinley began arranging while at Motown in the 1960s, where as a trombonist he can be heard on countless hits (his first was “Ooo Baby Baby”). When the songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland left Motown to form Hot Wax Records, McKinley was asked to join them as a

Tony Newton was nicknamed “Baby Funk Brother” by the original studio musicians at Motown Records where he began working in 1964. His first session with the Funk Brothers was the song “Baby Love” by the Supremes, which was released on the album Where Did Our Love Go. Tony’s long career in music took off when he played bass for iconic blues performers such as T-Bone Walker and John Lee Hooker. Those gigs gained the attention of Motown and soon Tony found himself working with such artists as Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and young Michael Jackson. He toured with many of the label’s

Sylvester Rivers has applied his musical talents to thousands of hit recordings over the years as well as music for television and motion pictures. His list of credits includes several categories as pianist, arranger, and musical director. The list of iconic performers he has worked with is just as impressive and yet at the very center of these accomplishments is a gentle and giving soul who loves making music. His friendly personality and talents as a musician may explain why so many people want to work with him. He is dedicated to his craft and works hard to provide programs tha

Allee Willis wrote a number of successful songs that have become part of the fabric of pop music. Allee either wrote or co-wrote songs such as “September” by Earth Wind & Fire, the theme for the sitcom Friends entitled “I’ll Be there for You,” the Broadway musical The Color Purple, and "Neutron Dance" among many others. She has also been heavily involved with technology and in fact was creating interactive social media experiences on the Internet as early as 1991. As an artist and set designer, Allee has worked with many other performers over the years to create art in many fo