Janie Bradford Hobbs, an early Motown songwriter who helped write “Money (That’s What I Want)” and “Too Busy Thinking About My Baby,” has died after an extended illness at a Los Angeles hospital, according to her family. She was 87.
Bradford Hobbs was born in Charleston, Missouri, and later moved to Detroit. She was introduced to Motown founder Berry Gordy in the late 1950s by neighbor and singer Jackie Wilson, then joined Motown in 1958 as a receptionist.
According to the family and Motown, she became part of the company’s creative work from its early days. She co-wrote “Money (That’s What I Want)” with Gordy, and the song became an early hit for Barrett Strong in 1959 before later being covered by The Beatles.
“Too Busy Thinking About My Baby” was first recorded by The Temptations and later became a hit for Marvin Gaye. Bradford Hobbs also wrote for Stevie Wonder, The Supremes and Martha & The Vandellas, among others. Gordy said in a statement that she was part of the “original Motown family” and helped make the label what it became.
Later in her career, Bradford Hobbs served as head of Writer Relations for Jobete, Motown’s publishing company, and founded the annual Heroes and Legends Awards after leaving Motown. The event ran for about 30 years and honored music icons while also giving scholarships, according to her family. She is survived by her husband, daughter, son and two grandsons.
