AMG AllMusic Guide: Pop Artists:
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Lamont Dozier
- Genres: Rhythm & Blues
Biography
Singer/songwriter/producer Lamont Dozier was part of the legendary Motown production team of Holland-Dozier-Holland. A galvanizing force in the '60s pop and R&B chart-dominance of the Detroit-based independent record label, the trio later formed Invictus and Hot Wax Records, and enjoyed gold-record-laced success with the Chairmen of the Board, Freda Payne, 100 Proof Aged in Soul, the Honey Cone, and 8th Day.Born June 16, 1941, in Detroit, Dozier was a part of the Motor City's late-'50s vibrant vocal scene, singing with the Romeos and the Voice Masters. Signing with then-fledgling local songwriter and producer Berry Gordy, Dozier's first single, "Let's Talk It Over," was issued in 1960 on Gordy's sister's label, Anna Records, and was credited to his nom-de-plume, Lamont Anthony. He also worked with Gordy on Motown singles for Marv Johnson. Two other singles followed. Then in 1963, he was teamed with singer/songwriter Eddie Holland for a single release. Eddie Holland had a Motown hit with the Jackie Wilson-sound-alike single "Jamie" in early 1962. The following year, Dozier, Eddie Holland, and his brother Brian began writing together. Beginning with the Supremes' number one R&B smash "Where Did Our Love Go," the HDH writing/arranging/production trio enjoyed a phenomenal five-year run at the top of the R&B and pop charts, selling millions of records for Motown. Another Motown act, the Four Tops, had a certain affinity for HDH's songs, scoring number one R&B and pop hits such as "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)" and "Reach Out I'll Be There." Amid lawsuits, royalty disputes, and creative differences, HDH left Motown in 1967, setting up Invictus and Hot Wax Records. Dozier restarted his solo artist recording career on Invictus with the mid-tempo ballad "Why Can't We Be Lovers," which went to number six R&B. The follow-up single, "New Breed Kinda Woman" -- a duet with Eddie Holland -- peaked at number 61 R&B in 1973. That same year, the HDH team splintered and Dozier signed with ABC Records as a solo artist. His debut ABC LP, Out Here on My Own, yielded the hit ballad, "Trying to Hold on to My Woman" and the upbeat "Fish Ain't Bitin'," with its Richard Nixon reference ("tricky dick trying to be slick"). His next album, Black Bach, included the singles "Let Me Start Tonite," "All Cried Out," "Put out the Fire," "Rose," and "Thank You for the Dream." Around this time, Dozier produced and wrote most of the tunes for the self-titled debut album of actor Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs. Despite becoming a collectible in later years because of its high quality, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs wasn't a sales success. Switching to Warner Bros. Records in 1976, Dozier's next LP was Right There. The LP was full of smooth-as-molasses groovers: "Groovin' on a Natural High," "With a Little Bit of Mending (We Could Be as Good as New)," "Joy," "Ain't Never Loved Nobody (Like I Love You)," "Wild Frame of Mind," and "Good Eye." The LP briefly charted when it was released. His next WB album, 1977's Peddlin' Music on the Side, also charted briefly. The 12" version of "Going Back to My Roots" is a collectible and the tune was later a 1981 disco hit for the group Odyssey. The 1979 dance-oriented album Bittersweet was produced by Motown alumni Frank Wilson (Eddie Kendricks, the Supremes). Although Dozier was having a hard time cracking the charts, a single he produced for the group Zingara titled "Love's Calling" (with James Ingram on lead vocal) hit number 29 R&B in late 1980. By 1981, the multi-talented musician was signed to ARC (American Recording Company). The album Working on You was issued in the spring of that year. Tracks included the energetic, brassy "Cool Me Out," the bubbly "Nobody Told Me," the smooth title track, and the top-notch ballads "Too Little Too Long" and "Why (Ain't My Love Enough)." His next LP, Lamont, was created by former Motown executives Mike Roshkind and Mike Lushka. One single, the jubilant "Shout It Out," peaked at number 61 in early 1982.
Holland-Dozier-Holland were inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. The following year, Dozier's Inside Seduction was released by Atlantic and was co-produced by Phil Collins. Previously, Collins had collaborated with Dozier on the 1988 number one pop single "Two Hearts.." The two dueted on "The Quiet's Too Loud." Dozier's songs have appeared on a host of releases, including Eric Clapton's August album and Nicole Renee's 1998 Atlantic debut. In 1997, Dozier appeared at the 1997 Celtic Harmony Festival in Ireland. Goin' Back to My Roots was issued three years later. ~ Ed Hogan, Rovi
Lamont Dozier
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Lamont Dozier
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This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (April 2012) |
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.
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Career
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
Lamont is married to Barbara Dozier, and they have three children.
Singles discography
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
- 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
- ^ "Holland, Dozier and Holland: inducted in 1990 | The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum". Rockhall.com. http://www.rockhall.com/inductee/holland-dozier-and-holland. Retrieved 2012-04-16.
- ^ "The Old Globe". The Old Globe. http://www.theoldglobe.org/tickets/production.aspx?performanceNumber=6950. Retrieved 2012-04-16.
External links
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AMG AllMusic Guide: Pop Artists
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Mentioned in
Love Rules
(1995 Album by West End)
The Best of Lamont Dozier
(2001 Album by Lamont Dozier)
Sold
(1987 Album by Boy George)
Out Here on My Own
(1974 Album by Lamont Dozier)
The ABC Years and Lost Sessions
(2000 Album by Lamont Dozier)
» More