Richard Morris (songwriter)

Richard T. Morris[1] is an American songwriter and producer best known for his work with Motown Records in the 1960s.

Richard Morris
GenresSoul music
Occupation(s)Songwriter, record producer
Associated actsEdwin Starr, Martha & the Vandellas

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#48, UK#11 Richard Morris, Al Hamilton, Charles Hatcher Morris, Al Kent (aka Al Hamilton)
1966 Headline News Edwin Starr US#84, UK#39 Morris, Hamilton, Hatcher Morris, Kent (arr. Mike Terry)
1967 Love Bug Leave My Heart Alone Martha & the Vandellas US#25 Sylvia Moy, Richard Morris Richard Morris
1967 Honey Chile Martha & the Vandellas US#11 Moy, Morris Richard Morris
1968 I Promise to Wait My Love Martha & the Vandellas US#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#80 Richard Morris Richard Morris
1969 (We've Got) Honey Love Martha & the Vandellas US#56 Moy, Morris Richard Morris
1969 Baby, I'm for Real The Originals US#14 Marvin Gaye, Anna Gordy Gaye Richard Morris, Marvin Gaye
1971 Forget Me Not Martha & the Vandellas UK#11 Moy, Morris Richard Morris

Albums
Year Title Artist Chart Producers
1968 Ridin' High Martha & the Vandellas US#167 Richard Morris

References
  1. http://repertoire.bmi.com/Catalog.aspx?detail=writerid&keyid=240474&subid=0&page=1&fromrow=1&torow=25
  2. Adrahtas, Thomas (2006). Diana Ross: The American Dreamgirl. AuthorHouse. pp. 14. ISBN 978-1425971397
  3. Wilson, Mary (1986). Dreamgirl: My Life as a Supreme. Cooper Square Press. pp. 69. ISBN 0-8154-1000-X.
  4. Simmons, Rick (2018). Carolina Beach Music Encyclopedia. McFarland. pp. 254. ISBN 978-1476667676
  5. https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/bmi-mourns-the-loss-of-legendary-motown-songwriter-sylvia-mom
  6. https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/stevie-wonder-my-cherie-amour-album/
  7. Atwood, Brett. "Producer/Songster Morris Files Suit Against Motown". Billboard Magazine. pp. 11. 29 April 1995.


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