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RobertZ
07-11-2015, 08:25 PM
Diana Ross graciously tweets:
https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/473578046813765632/lcmNkZJn_normal.jpeg Ms. Ross
✔ @DianaRoss MICHAEL MASSER so many memories He will live on. through his beautiful songsTouch me in the morning,It's my turnTheme from Mahogany

Michael Masser, a songwriter, producer and composer who penned hits for Whitney Houston [[http://www.billboard.com/artist/431329/whitney-houston/chart), Diana Ross [[http://www.billboard.com/artist/300875/diana-ross/chart) and Gladys Knight [[http://www.billboard.com/artist/302901/gladys-knight/chart), died in Rancho Mirage, Calif. on Thursday. He was 74.
Masser's hits included Houston's "The Greatest Love of All," Ross' "The Last Time I Saw Him" and "Tonight I Celebrate My Love For You" by Roberta Flack and Peabo Bryson [[http://www.billboard.com/artist/328453/peabo-bryson-roberta-flack/chart). In 2007, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
His first big hit came with Ross' chart-topping recording of "Touch Me In the Morning," which he co-wrote and co-produced. That was followed with Ross' "Theme from 'Mahogany' [[Do You Know Where You're Going To?)," which he co-wrote with Gerald Goffin and also hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
While producing Teddy Pendergrass' 1984 album Love Language, he recorded the Whitney Houston duet "Hold Me." From there, Masser and Houston began years of fruitful collaboration, including three No. 1 hits from her first two albums: "The Greatest Love of All," "Saving All My Love" and "Didn't We Almost Have It All."
Further success continued as a songwriter/producer into the 1990s, amounting to over three decades of notable work.
More than three years ago, Masser suffered a major stroke The Desert Sun [[http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/2015/07/10/greatest-love-writer-michael-masser-dies-rancho-mirage/29949377/) reports, from which he never fully recovered.
Masser is survived by his wife, Ogniana Masser; sister, Rhoda Lev; daughters Jennifer Convery and Aleksandra Rouschkolb; son Sean Masser; and grandchildren Joshua and Ryan Masser.
Ross posted words or remembrance to Twitter Friday:

woodward
07-12-2015, 12:46 PM
Attached is the Washington Post story on his death. The WaPo always does the best write ups on legendary people like this who pass away.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/michael-masser-top-songwriter-of-1970s-and-80s-dies-at-74/2015/07/11/229459bc-27ed-11e5-aae2-6c4f59b050aa_story.html

sansradio
07-13-2015, 01:03 PM
Oh, my stars. Had no idea about his stroke or his passing. RIP to a true songsmith and masterful producer.

jobeterob
07-13-2015, 02:12 PM
There was a news report of this where they played Touch Me In The Morning and The Greatest Love of All.

I also saw a news report saying Diana Ross tweeted about this.

captainjames
07-14-2015, 11:15 AM
http://www.contactmusic.com/diana-ross/news/george-benson-and-clive-davis-pay-tribute-to-late-songwriter-michael-masser_4825161