Motown Obituaries - 2016

[woodward]

I should have kept a running listing of Motown artists and staff who passed during 2016. Let's start a thread to detail all who have departed us in 2016,

I offer the following to start the ball rolling.

Robert Bateman - 10/12/16
Raynoma Gordy Singleton - 11/11/16

[marv2]

Sonny Sanders also of the Satintones had passed in the same week as Robert Bateman:

[marv2]

Harry Balk in December 2016

[midnightman]

^ Wow, the guy who helped to release "What's Going On"? Rest in peace Harry!

Things were quiet on the Motown family front compared to everyone else in '16, that's for sure. RIP to all the Motowners we lost this year.

[mysterysinger]

Motown related - So we've now said goodbye to Debbie Reynolds a day after her daughter Carrie Fisher. Debbie was the first wife of Eddie Fisher [["Oh My Papa"). In 1957 she recorded "Tammy". Berry Gordy Jr. Adored it so much he was going to name his record label after it. In the end he settled for Tamla and the rest is history. Farewell Debbie and Carrie.

[jboy88]

Motown related - So we've now said goodbye to Debbie Reynolds a day after her daughter Carrie Fisher. Debbie was the first wife of Eddie Fisher [["Oh My Papa"). In 1957 she recorded "Tammy". Berry Gordy Jr. Adored it so much he was going to name his record label after it. In the end he settled for Tamla and the rest is history. Farewell Debbie and Carrie.

Not only that, but a teenage girl from Philly who aspired to be a famous singer was also enamored by the song. She must of loved it even more than Berry! Why, because she renamed herself after the song! Surely we all know who she grew up to be!

[keith_hughes]

This thread seems a bit premature [[it's Dec 29!), but let's not get morbid ....

Yvonne Wright, Jan 26
George Fowler Apr 13
Jack Hammer Sep 8
Bobby Breen Sep 19

[midnightman]

Motown related - So we've now said goodbye to Debbie Reynolds a day after her daughter Carrie Fisher. Debbie was the first wife of Eddie Fisher [["Oh My Papa"). In 1957 she recorded "Tammy". Berry Gordy Jr. Adored it so much he was going to name his record label after it. In the end he settled for Tamla and the rest is history. Farewell Debbie and Carrie.

I was wondering if that was gonna be mentioned. RIP Debbie & Carrie indeed.

[midnightman]

This thread seems a bit premature [[it's Dec 29!), but let's not get morbid ....

Yvonne Wright, Jan 26
George Fowler Apr 13
Jack Hammer Sep 8
Bobby Breen Sep 19

Odd that two people associated with "They Won't Go When I Go" are now in Heaven [[George Michael covered it on his Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 album).