Hank Cosby of Motown passes

[Janice Brooks]

I'm sure we have some stray Motown fans here


> From 1-30-02 Detroit News:
> DETROIT--Stevie Wonder played and sang "My Cherie Amour" and some 300
> mourners gathered Tuesday at the James H. Cole Funeral Home next door to the
> Motown Historical Museum on West Grand Boulevard to pay tribute to the man
> who co-wrote the song, Hank Cosby; veteran songwriter, saxophone player and
> producer for the record company.
> Cosby, 73, of Southfield died last week at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak
> after a lengthy illness. The memorial service was at 11 a.m., with interment
> afterward at Acacia Park Cemetery in Beverly Hills.
> While Wonder often shows up for the Detroit funerals of his Motown
> colleagues, the singer had a special bond with Cosby, who co-wrote the song
> that catapulted an 11-year-old "Little" Stevie Wonder into stardom,
> "Fingertips Part 2," recorded live at the Fox Theater in 1962.
> Cosby went on to co-write and produce some of Wonder's biggest hits, with
> Sylvia Moy.
> The Detroit native graduated from Northern High School and served in the
> Army during the Korean War, where he met Nat "Cannonball" Adderly in the
> military band school.
> As a saxophone player, Cosby was a member of the jazz band that was the
> precursor to the Funk Brothers, the Motown studio band. As the Joe Hunter
> Band, Cosby was joined by legendary bassist James Jamerson, drummer Benny
> Benjamin, baritone sax player Mike Terry, guitarist Larry Veeder and pianist
> Joe Hunter. The group played in jazz clubs and on recording sessions all
> over town in the '50s.
> They also did several sessions for Berry Gordy Jr., who was then writing
> songs for Jackie Wilson and others.
> When Gordy launched Motown Records in 1959-60, he knew the best players
> in town, and the Joe Hunter Band slid right into the bandstand at the
> Hitsville studio at 2648 W. Grand, where they became known as the Funks.
> Cosby was a multi-faceted employee, continuing on saxophone but also earning
> his spurs as a writer/producer for the label with Smokey Robinson, the
> Supremes, the Jackson 5, and most notably, Wonder.
> Cosby is survived by his wife Patricia, sons Kevin, Henry Cosby Jr. and
> William; and five grandchildren. His first son, Robert, preceded him in
> death.
>
> Cosby's greatest hits
>
> Hank Cosby wrote and produced some memorable tracks for Motown, including
> many of Stevie Wonder's best-known hits. Here is a partial list:
> * "Tears of a Clown" (with Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson). Recorded
> by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles.
> * "Fingertips Part I and II" (with Clarence Paul). Recorded by "Little"
> Stevie Wonder, live at the Fox Theater in Detroit.
> * "I Was Made To Love Her" (with Sylvia Moy, Stevie Wonder & Lula
> Hardaway).
> * "My Cherie Amour" (with Sylvia Moy and Stevie Wonder).
> * "I'm Livin' in Shame" (with Berry Gordy, etc.) Recorded by the
> Supremes.
> * "Shoo Bee Doo Bee Doo Da Day" (with Sylvia Moy and Stevie Wonder).
> Recorded by Wonder.
> * "Uptight (Everything's Alright)" (with Sylvia Moy and Stevie Wonder).
> Recorded by Wonder.
>

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Janice "Busgal" Brooks
ICQ 44729047