Richard Morris (songwriter)
American songwriter
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Richard T. Morris[1] is an American songwriter and record producer, best known for his work with Motown Records in the 1960s.
Richard Morris | |
|---|---|
| Born | Richard T. Morris |
| Genres | Soul music |
| Occupations | Songwriter, record producer |
Career
In early 1960 Morris, Janie Bradford and Robert Bateman heard the Primettes audition for Motown Records.[2] Label owner Berry Gordy Jr. declined to sign the group at that time, and Morris approached them with an offer to record them on another label. He wrote and produced their first single "Tears of Sorrow" on Lu-Pine Records.[3] The Primettes signed to Motown in 1961 and became the Supremes, Motown's most commercially successful act.
Morris produced and wrote for acts including Edwin Starr,[4] and Martha & the Vandellas, sometimes collaborating with songwriter Sylvia Moy.[5] His songs were also recorded by the Originals, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, the Marvelettes, Stevie Wonder[6] and others.
In 1995, Morris sued Berry Gordy Jr. and Motown for unpaid royalties.[7]
Selective discography
Singles
| Year | Title | Artist | Chart | Writers | Producers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | "Tears of Sorrow" | The Primettes | - | Richard Morris, Florence Ballard, Diana Ross | 'Hom-Rich' |
| 1966 | "Stop Her on Sight (S.O.S.)" | Edwin Starr | US No. 48, UK No. 11 | Richard Morris, Al Hamilton, Charles Hatcher | Morris, Al Kent (aka Al Hamilton) |
| 1966 | "Headline News" | Edwin Starr | US No. 84, UK No. 39 | Morris, Hamilton, Hatcher | Morris, Kent (arr. Mike Terry) |
| 1967 | "Love Bug Leave My Heart Alone" | Martha & the Vandellas | US No. 25 | Sylvia Moy, Richard Morris | Richard Morris |
| 1967 | "Honey Chile" | Martha & the Vandellas | US No. 11 | Moy, Morris | Richard Morris |
| 1968 | "I Promise to Wait My Love" | Martha & the Vandellas | US No. 62 | Billie-Jean Brown, George Gordy, Margaret J. Gordy, Allen Story |
Richard Morris, Billie-Jean Brown, Henry Cosby |
| 1968 | "Sweet Darlin'" | Martha & the Vandellas | US No. 80 | Richard Morris | Richard Morris |
| 1969 | "(We've Got) Honey Love" | Martha & the Vandellas | US No. 56 | Moy, Morris | Richard Morris |
| 1969 | "Baby, I'm for Real" | The Originals | US No. 14 | Marvin Gaye, Anna Gordy Gaye | Richard Morris, Marvin Gaye |
| 1971 | "Forget Me Not" | Martha & the Vandellas | UK No. 11 | Moy, Morris | Richard Morris |
Albums
| Year | Title | Artist | Chart | Producers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Ridin' High | Martha & the Vandellas | US No. 167 | Richard Morris |
