In The News

Songwriter behind some of the Jackson 5 hits passes away

Songwriter behind some of the Jackson 5 hits passes away

The songwriter and record producer Alphonso ‘Fonce’ Mizell, who helped write some of the Jackson 5’s hits, has passed away. He was 68.

Mr. Mizell was a member of the Motown hit-makers The Corporation which created the Jackson 5’s first hits, including I Want You Back, ABC and The Love You Save.

When Motown moved from Detroit to Los Angeles, Mr. Mizell and his brother Larry moved as well.

Together The Mizell Brothers went on to found their own production company, Sky High Productions.

Some of their early work was to help shape jazz fusion. 

They produced Donald Byrd’s album Black Byrd (1972) for Blue Note Records.

Mr. Mizell and his brother then embraced the disco age, enjoying a No. 1 hit with Boogie Oogie Oogie (1978) by the group A Taste of Honey, who went on to win a Grammy for best new artist.

While Mr. Mizell more or less retired in the 1980s his work enjoyed something of a revival when it began to be sampled and remixed by various hip-hop artists.

Mr. Mizell is survived by his brothers Larry and Rodney.

To see A Taste of Honey perform Boogie Oogie Oogie click here.

 

View previous In the News items: Tributes are paid to the evangelist John Stott, Founder member of rock band America passes away, Film actress Linda Christian passes away, Scientist who supported the use of cryonics passes away, Music world is left stunned by death of Amy Winehouse, Top toy maker passes away, Tributes are paid to the artist Lucian Freud, Remains of former senior Nazi are exhumed, Graphic designer responsible for first record covers passes away, Songwriter Jerry Ragovoy passes away, Actress Googie Withers passes away, Tributes are paid to jazz singer Ottilie Patterson, Veteran Downtown Radio presenter passes away, Brady Bunch creator Sherwood Schwartz passes away, Tributes are paid to golf commentator Alex Hay, First cousin of the Queen passes away, Rock guitarist Wurzel Burston passes away, Former US first lady passes away, Popular romantic novelist passes away, Tributes are paid to Canadian actor Gordon Tootoosis, Lasting tribute is unveiled to Yorkshire comedian, Award winning actress Anna Massey passes away, Funeral is held of broadcasting legend, Tributes are paid to Rathlin Island boatman, Funeral of former Alliance Party leader takes place, Computer security pioneer Robert Morris passes away, Former jockey Richard Fox passes away, Tributes are paid to former Manchester City captain, Actress Margaret Tyzack passes away, Tributes are pid to Columbo star Peter Falk, Police name road accident victim in County Antrim, Former anti apartheid campaigner passes away, Oldest woman in the world passes away, Star of Jackass films dies in car accident, Saxophone player known as the Big Man passes away, Peace campaigner Brian Haw passes away, The man who ushered in the age of the barcode passes away, Remains are reinterred after Omagh ceremony, Singer Cark Gardner passes away in the US, Hundreds attend funeral of former Irish minister, Actor Donald Hewlett passes away, Man dies in County Antrim road accident, Jazz great Ray Bryant passes away, TV writer Leonard Stern passes away or Famous Indian artist dies in London

 

If you have a relative or a friend who has passed away and feel they should be mentioned in our In the News section, then please email us.