Henry Cosby
Encyclopedia
Henry "Hank" R. Cosby was an African American
songwriter
and record producer
for Motown Records
. Although he worked with many of the label's artists, from The Supremes
to The Temptations
, Cosby is best known for helming many of Stevie Wonder
's early hits, including "My Cherie Amour", "I Was Made to Love Her
", and "Uptight (Everything's Alright)
". He also co-wrote "Tears of a Clown", a #1 hit for Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. Cosby was also a prominent member of Motown's Funk Brothers studio band, playing many of the familiar saxophone
hooks on the label's hits.
He died aged 73 on January 22, 2002 at William Beaumont
Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan
, after complications from a cardiac bypass surgery. His name is written on an honorary South Tower Construction beam of the hospital.
In 2006, Cosby was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame
.
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
for Motown Records
Motown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
. Although he worked with many of the label's artists, from The Supremes
The Supremes
The Supremes, an American female singing group, were the premier act of Motown Records during the 1960s.Originally founded as The Primettes in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959, The Supremes' repertoire included doo-wop, pop, soul, Broadway show tunes, psychedelic soul, and disco...
to The Temptations
The Temptations
The Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,...
, Cosby is best known for helming many of Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
's early hits, including "My Cherie Amour", "I Was Made to Love Her
I Was Made to Love Her
I Was Made to Love Her is the seventh studio album by Stevie Wonder, released in 1967 under Tamla Records, a Motown subsidiary.-Track listing:#"I Was Made to Love Her" – 2:36...
", and "Uptight (Everything's Alright)
Uptight (Everything's Alright)
"Uptight " is a 1966 hit single recorded by Stevie Wonder for the Tamla label. One of his most popular early singles, "Uptight " was the first Stevie Wonder single to be co-written by the artist....
". He also co-wrote "Tears of a Clown", a #1 hit for Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. Cosby was also a prominent member of Motown's Funk Brothers studio band, playing many of the familiar saxophone
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
hooks on the label's hits.
He died aged 73 on January 22, 2002 at William Beaumont
William Beaumont
William Beaumont was a surgeon in the U.S. Army who became known as the "Father of Gastric Physiology" following his research on human digestion.-Early life:...
Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan
Royal Oak, Michigan
Royal Oak is a city in Oakland County of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a suburb of Detroit. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 57,236. It should not be confused with Royal Oak Charter Township, a separate community located nearby....
, after complications from a cardiac bypass surgery. His name is written on an honorary South Tower Construction beam of the hospital.
In 2006, Cosby was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame
Songwriters Hall of Fame
The Songwriters Hall of Fame is an arm of the National Academy of Popular Music. It was founded in 1969 by songwriter Johnny Mercer and music publishers Abe Olman and Howie Richmond. The goal is to create a museum but as of April, 2008, the means do not yet exist and so instead it is an online...
.