In The News

Motown producer Frank Wilson passes away

Motown producer Frank Wilson passes away

THE Motown producer Frank Wilson has passed away. He was 71.

Mr. Wilson produced a string of hits for the record company and also appeared on a soul recording which is now a collectors’ item.

He had joined Motown in 1965 and initially worked at its office in Los Angeles before moving to Detroit. 

As well as producing, Mr. Wilson was also a talented songwriter. Among the many artists he worked with were The Supremes, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops and Eddie Kendricks.

Among the songs that he wrote or co-wrote were: Chained, which was a hit for Marvin Gaye, Stoned Love for The Supremes and a Whole Lot Of Shakin’ In My Heart for Smokey Robinson & The Miracles.

He had originally contemplated being a singer and it was this which led to him  to record Do I Love You (Indeed I Do) in 1965, which is now a collectors’ item.

Just 250 copies were initially pressed of the recording (see below) on 7-inch vinyl, but the record was then withdrawn after Mr. Wilson decided to concentrate his talents on producing and writing. 

It is now thought that only three copies of the original record now exist. Interest in the recording was revived when followers of the Northern Soul scene in Britain discovered it in the early 1970s. One copy of the record sold for more than £25,000 in 2009.

After leaving Motown in the mid-1970s, Mr. Wilson became a Pastor and went on to produce gospel music and write a number of books. He also founded the New Dawn Christian Village in Los Angeles.

To see Frank Wilson sing Do I Love You (Indeed I do), click here.

To see an interview with Frank Wilson, click here.

 

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