Lamont Dozier
Encyclopedia
Lamont Herbert Dozier is an American
songwriter
and record producer
, born in Detroit
, Michigan
. Dozier has either co-written or produced several US Billboard #1 hits.
team that was responsible for much of the Motown sound and numerous hit records by artists such as Martha & the Vandellas, The Supremes
, The Four Tops, and The Isley Brothers
. Along with Brian Holland
, Dozier served as the team's musical arranger and producer. After H-D-H left Motown in 1967 to form the Invictus
/Hot Wax
labels, Dozier began recording as an artist on their labels. Dozier departed from H-D-H in the mid-1970s, and was replaced by new arranger/producer Harold Beatty.
Dozier had another #1 hit as a songwriter in the 1980s, combining with Phil Collins
to write the song "Two Hearts" from the movie soundtrack for Buster
. "Two Hearts" was nominated for an Oscar for Best Song. Collins and Dozier also co-wrote "Loco in Acapulco
" for The Four Tops, which is also featured on the Buster soundtrack.
Also, in 1984, Essex
-born singer Alison Moyet
scored a US top 40 hit with the Dozier-penned "Invisible". In 1987, Dozier co-penned "Infidelity" with Simply Red
frontman Mick Hucknall
for the band's second album Men and Women
. The song reached number 13 on the UK charts.
In addition to his work as a songwriter and producer, Dozier has recorded a number of albums as a performer in his own right. Peddlin' Music On The Side (ABC Records, 1976) contained the epic "Going Back To My Roots", which was later recorded by Odyssey
. "Black Bach" featured the country-flavored "All Cried Out." In 1981, Lamont scored a Beach Music hit with "Cool Me Out." He had his biggest hit with 1974's "Trying To Hold On To My Woman", which reached number 15 on the U.S. charts.
Throughout his recording career, Dozier has largely avoided the temptation to return to his catalog of Motown hits, preferring instead to record new material. In 2004, however, Dozier recorded several of his hits as part of the album Reflections Of... Dozier's new arrangements frequently provide an interesting counterpoint to the upbeat pop sound of the 1960s originals.
He, along with the Holland brothers, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.
In 2009, he worked on the music for the musical stage version of the movie "First Wives Club." He is also teaching a course of popular music at the University of Southern California
Thornton School of Music
.
As a member of The Romeos:
As a member of The Voice Masters:
As a member of Ty Hunter and The Voice Masters:
As Lamont Anthony:
As Lamont Dozier:
As a member of Holland-Dozier (Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland
):
As Lamont Dozier:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
, born in Detroit
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. Dozier has either co-written or produced several US Billboard #1 hits.
Career
Dozier is best known as a member of Holland–Dozier–Holland, the songwriting and productionRecord 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...
team that was responsible for much of the Motown sound and numerous hit records by artists such as Martha & the Vandellas, 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...
, The Four Tops, and The Isley Brothers
The Isley Brothers
The Isley Brothers are a highly influential, successful and long-running American music group consisting of different line-ups of six brothers, and a brother-in-law, Chris Jasper...
. Along with Brian Holland
Brian Holland
Brian Holland is an American songwriter and record producer, best known as a member of Holland–Dozier–Holland. That songwriting and production team that was responsible for much of the Motown sound and numerous hit records by artists such as Martha and the Vandellas, The Supremes, The Four Tops,...
, Dozier served as the team's musical arranger and producer. After H-D-H left Motown in 1967 to form the Invictus
Invictus Records
Invictus Records was an American record label based in Detroit, Michigan created by Edward Holland, Jr., Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland...
/Hot Wax
Hot Wax Records
Hot Wax Records was a Detroit, Michigan-based record label, created by producers/songwriters Holland–Dozier–Holland in 1968 when they left Motown...
labels, Dozier began recording as an artist on their labels. Dozier departed from H-D-H in the mid-1970s, and was replaced by new arranger/producer Harold Beatty.
Dozier had another #1 hit as a songwriter in the 1980s, combining with Phil Collins
Phil Collins
Philip David Charles "Phil" Collins, LVO is an English singer-songwriter, drummer, pianist and actor best known as a drummer and vocalist for British progressive rock group Genesis and as a solo artist....
to write the song "Two Hearts" from the movie soundtrack for Buster
Buster (film)
Buster is a 1988 comedy-drama film starring musician Phil Collins, Julie Walters, Larry Lamb and Sheila Hancock. The soundtrack featured two Phil Collins singles which eventually topped the Billboard 100 singles chart.-Plot:...
. "Two Hearts" was nominated for an Oscar for Best Song. Collins and Dozier also co-wrote "Loco in Acapulco
Acapulco
Acapulco is a city, municipality and major sea port in the state of Guerrero on the Pacific coast of Mexico, southwest from Mexico City. Acapulco is located on a deep, semi-circular bay and has been a port since the early colonial period of Mexico’s history...
" for The Four Tops, which is also featured on the Buster soundtrack.
Also, in 1984, Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
-born singer Alison Moyet
Alison Moyet
Alison Moyet , is an English singer, songwriter and performer noted for her bluesy voice.Her UK album sales have reached a certified 2.3 million, with 800,000 singles sold, all in the UK, where all seven of her studio albums and three compilation albums have charted in the Top 40 UK Album Chart,...
scored a US top 40 hit with the Dozier-penned "Invisible". In 1987, Dozier co-penned "Infidelity" with Simply Red
Simply Red
Simply Red were a British soul band that sold more than 50 million albums over a 25-year career. Their style drew influences from blue-eyed soul, new romantic, rock, reggae and jazz...
frontman Mick Hucknall
Mick Hucknall
Michael "Mick" Hucknall is a British singer and songwriter. He was the lead singer of the British band Simply Red, and is recognisable for his smooth, distinctive voice and wide vocal range, as well as his red curly hair.-Early life:...
for the band's second album Men and Women
Men and Women (album)
Men and Women is the second album released by British pop group Simply Red in 1987.-Track listing:Side one# "The Right Thing" - 4:19# "Infidelity" - 4:09# "Suffer" - 4:55...
. The song reached number 13 on the UK charts.
In addition to his work as a songwriter and producer, Dozier has recorded a number of albums as a performer in his own right. Peddlin' Music On The Side (ABC Records, 1976) contained the epic "Going Back To My Roots", which was later recorded by Odyssey
Odyssey (band)
Odyssey was a New York, now UK-based dance music band. It grew out of the talent of the Connecticut-born Lopez sisters: Lillian Lopez , Louise Lopez , and Carmen Lopez , who left the group before Odyssey, as the group came to be known after her departure, was formed.-Career:Filipino singer Tony...
. "Black Bach" featured the country-flavored "All Cried Out." In 1981, Lamont scored a Beach Music hit with "Cool Me Out." He had his biggest hit with 1974's "Trying To Hold On To My Woman", which reached number 15 on the U.S. charts.
Throughout his recording career, Dozier has largely avoided the temptation to return to his catalog of Motown hits, preferring instead to record new material. In 2004, however, Dozier recorded several of his hits as part of the album Reflections Of... Dozier's new arrangements frequently provide an interesting counterpoint to the upbeat pop sound of the 1960s originals.
He, along with the Holland brothers, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.
In 2009, he worked on the music for the musical stage version of the movie "First Wives Club." He is also teaching a course of popular music at the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
Thornton School of Music
USC Thornton School of Music
The University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, founded in 1884 and dedicated in 1999, is one of the premier music schools in the United States...
.
Singles discography
The following singles featured Lamont Dozier as a performerAs a member of The Romeos:
- “Gone, Gone, Get Away” (1957); Fox 749
- “Moments To Remember You By” (1957); Fox 846
As a member of The Voice Masters:
- “Hope And Pray” (1959); Anna 101
- “Needed” (1959); Anna 102
- “In Love In Vain” (1960); Frisco 15235
As a member of Ty Hunter and The Voice Masters:
- “Orphan Boy” (1960); Anna 1114
- “Free” (1960); Anna 1123
As Lamont Anthony:
- “Popeye (The Sailor Man)” (1961) withdrawn, and replaced by "Benny The Skinny Man" (same backing track, new vocal); Anna 1125
- “Benny The Skinny Man” (1961); Anna 1125
- “Just To Be Loved” (1961); Checkmate 1001
As Lamont Dozier:
- “Dearest One” (1962); Mel-o-dy 102
As a member of Holland-Dozier (Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland
Brian Holland
Brian Holland is an American songwriter and record producer, best known as a member of Holland–Dozier–Holland. That songwriting and production team that was responsible for much of the Motown sound and numerous hit records by artists such as Martha and the Vandellas, The Supremes, The Four Tops,...
):
- “What Goes Up Must Come Down” (1963); Motown 1045
- “Don't Leave Me” (1972); Invictus 9110
- “Why Can't We Be Lovers” (1972); Invictus 9125
- “Don't Leave Me Starvin' For Your Love” (1972); Invictus 9133
- “Slipping Away” (1973); Invictus 1253
- “If You Don't Wanta Be In My Life” (1973); Invictus 1254
- “You Took Me From A World Outside” (1973); Invictus 1258
As Lamont Dozier:
- “Trying To Hold On To My Woman” (1973); ABC 11407
- “Fish Ain't Bitin'” (1974); ABC 11438
- “Let Me Start Tonite” (1974); ABC 12044
- “All Cried Out” (1975); ABC 12076
- “Out Here On My Own” (1976); ABC 12234
- “Sight For Sore Eyes” (1977); Warner Brothers 8432
- “Boogie Business” (1979); Warner Brothers 8792
- “Cool Me Out” (1981); Columbia 02035
- “Too Little Too Long” (1981); Columbia 02238
- “Shout About It” (1982); M & M 502
- “Inside Seduction” (1991); Atlantic / Wea
Album discography
- Out Here on My Own (1973); ABC 804
- Black Bach (1974); ABC 839
- Love & Beauty (1975); Invictus 33134
- Right There (1976); WB 2929
- Peddling Music on the Side (1977); WB 3039
- Bittersweet (1979); WB 3282
- Working on You (1981); Columbia 37129
- Lamont (1981); M&M 104
- Bigger Than Life (1983); UK Demon FIEND12
- Inside Seduction (1991); Atlantic 82228
- Reflections of Lamont Dozier (2004); Jam Right/Zebra 54633