Motown Songwriter Janie Bradford Hobbs Dies at 87

Janie Bradford Hobbs, an early Motown songwriter and Berry Gordy’s first receptionist, has died at 87 in Los Angeles after an extended illness. She co-wrote Money (That’s What I Want) and Too Busy Thinking About My Baby, with the song Money later covered by The Beatles and Too Busy Thinking About My Baby becoming a hit for Marvin Gaye and The Temptations. Bradford Hobbs also wrote for Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Martha & the Vandellas and others, helping establish Motown’s initial hit-making era. She eventually became head of writer relations for Jobete, Motown’s publishing company, and founded the Heroes and Legends Awards. Gordy described her as part of the original Motown family, noting she was there from the beginning and helped shape what Motown would become. Born in Charleston, Missouri, she moved to Detroit and remained a foundational figure in Motown’s history, with her passing announced by her family.