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Lamont Dozier, 2009

Lamont Herbert Dozier (born June 16, 1941) is an American songwriter and record producer, born in Detroit, Michigan. Dozier has either co-written or produced several US Billboard #1 hits.

Career[link]

Dozier is best known as a member of Holland–Dozier–Holland, the songwriting and production team that was responsible for much of the Motown sound and numerous hit records by artists such as Martha & the Vandellas, The Supremes, The Four Tops, and The Isley Brothers. Along with Brian Holland, Dozier served as the team's musical arranger and producer. After H-D-H left Motown in 1967 to form the Invictus/Hot Wax labels, Dozier began recording as an artist on their labels. Dozier departed from H-D-H in the mid-1970s, and was replaced by new arranger/producer Harold Beatty.

Dozier had another #1 hit as a songwriter in the 1980s, combining with Phil Collins to write the song "Two Hearts" from the movie soundtrack for Buster. "Two Hearts" was nominated for an Oscar for Best Song. Collins and Dozier also co-wrote "Loco in Acapulco" for The Four Tops, which is also featured on the Buster soundtrack.

Also, in 1984, Essex-born singer Alison Moyet scored a US top 40 hit with the Dozier-penned "Invisible". In 1987, Dozier co-penned "Infidelity" with Simply Red frontman Mick Hucknall for the band's second album Men and Women. The song reached number 13 on the UK charts.

In addition to his work as a songwriter and producer, Dozier has recorded a number of albums as a performer in his own right. Peddlin' Music On The Side (ABC Records, 1976) contained the epic "Going Back To My Roots", which was later recorded by Odyssey. "Black Bach" featured the country-flavored "All Cried Out." In 1981, Lamont scored a Beach Music hit with "Cool Me Out." He had his biggest hit with 1974's "Trying To Hold On To My Woman", which reached number 15 on the U.S. charts.

Throughout his recording career, Dozier has largely avoided the temptation to return to his catalog of Motown hits, preferring instead to record new material. In 2004, however, Dozier recorded several of his hits as part of the album Reflections Of... Dozier's new arrangements frequently provide an interesting counterpoint to the upbeat pop sound of the 1960s originals.

He, along with the Holland brothers, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.^[1]

In 2009, he worked on the music for the musical stage version of the movie "First Wives Club." ^[2] He is also teaching a course of popular music at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music.

Personal life[link]

Lamont is married to Barbara Dozier, and they have three children.

Singles discography[link]

The following singles featured Lamont Dozier as a performer
As a member of The Romeos:

• “Gone, Gone, Get Away” (1957); Fox 749
• “Moments To Remember You By” (1957); Fox 846

As a member of The Voice Masters:

• “Hope And Pray” (1959); Anna 101
• “Needed” (1959); Anna 102
• “In Love In Vain” (1960); Frisco 15235

As a member of Ty Hunter and The Voice Masters:

• “Orphan Boy” (1960); Anna 1114
• “Free” (1960); Anna 1123

As Lamont Anthony:

• “Popeye (The Sailor Man)” (1961) withdrawn, and replaced by "Benny The Skinny Man" (same backing track, new vocal); Anna 1125
• “Benny The Skinny Man” (1961); Anna 1125
• “Just To Be Loved” (1961); Checkmate 1001

As Lamont Dozier:

• “Dearest One” (1962); Mel-o-dy 102

As a member of Holland-Dozier (Lamont Dozier and Brian Holland):

• “What Goes Up Must Come Down” (1963); Motown 1045
• “Don't Leave Me” (1972); Invictus 9110
• “Why Can't We Be Lovers” (1972); Invictus 9125
• “Don't Leave Me Starvin' For Your Love” (1972); Invictus 9133
• “Slipping Away” (1973); Invictus 1253
• “If You Don't Wanta Be In My Life” (1973); Invictus 1254
• “You Took Me From A World Outside” (1973); Invictus 1258

As Lamont Dozier:

• “Trying To Hold On To My Woman” (1973); ABC 11407
• “Fish Ain't Bitin'” (1974); ABC 11438
• “Let Me Start Tonite” (1974); ABC 12044
• “All Cried Out” (1975); ABC 12076
• “Out Here On My Own” (1976); ABC 12234
• “Sight For Sore Eyes” (1977); Warner Brothers 8432
• “Boogie Business” (1979); Warner Brothers 8792
• “Cool Me Out” (1981); Columbia 02035
• “Too Little Too Long” (1981); Columbia 02238
• “Shout About It” (1982); M & M 502
• “Inside Seduction” (1991); Atlantic / Wea

Album discography[link]

• Out Here on My Own (1973); ABC 804
• Black Bach (1974); ABC 839
• Love & Beauty (1975); Invictus 33134
• Right There (1976); WB 2929
• Peddling Music on the Side (1977); WB 3039
• Bittersweet (1979); WB 3282
• Working on You (1981); Columbia 37129
• Lamont (1981); M&M 104
• Bigger Than Life (1983); UK Demon FIEND12
• Inside Seduction (1991); Atlantic 82228
• Reflections of Lamont Dozier (2004); Jam Right/Zebra 54633

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website