Loads of composing and producing credits and an impressive track record. Despite searching the forum and goohlong, this guy seems very overlooked, given his Motown contributions.
Any information on Lawrence Brown?
Loads of composing and producing credits and an impressive track record. Despite searching the forum and goohlong, this guy seems very overlooked, given his Motown contributions.
Any information on Lawrence Brown?
I know that he wrote a lot of songs for other singers over his career, and did some producing. But I like his singing. His "I'd Like To Know" he sung for Johnnie Mae Matthews' Audrey Records in 1960, sounds just like a late 1959-early 1960 super-sweet, mid-tempo Motown cut with Dr. Beans Bowles on the break's flute or sax solo. Unfortunately, the video for that song is no longer up on You-Tube.
Thanks Robb. I'm still puzzled how little is known known about a man who contributed more than a little to the success of motown in its formative years.
Lawrence was not a big hitter, as far as the charts go. The Vandellas' "In And Out Of My Life" reached 102 on the Pop Chart [[and 27 on the R&B Chart), and Jimmy Ruffin's "Maria [[You Were The Only One)" got to 97. That's up to the end of 1972, other compilers may know later dates.
The first song of his to get cut [[by Motown, anyway) was "You'se A Son Of A Gun", by Marvin Gaye, in 1968. One of my favourites.
I ran into Larry often at the Donovan Building, but really didn't know that much of his past. He was a very nice, quiet type of guy.
https://www.discogs.com/artist/78036...t&filter_anv=0
His name came up when I saw some nice material on motown even though mainly B sides or album cuts
Here' his first single as a singer, on Johnnie Mae Matthews' Audrey Records. He also wrote the songs on both sides:
Here's the flip:
Last edited by robb_k; 06-18-2021 at 08:34 PM.
A lot of the songs on the thread "George Gordy/ Allen Story - Motown's Forgotten Writing Team" have Lawrence Brown as co-writer.
Thanks 144man. Looking at the thread, You created a very comprehensive and interesting list of George Gordy songs, many of which were co-written with Lawrence
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