Barrett Strong, Motown artiste known for ‘Money’, dies at 81

2004 filepic of Barrett Strong. Strong, one of Motown’s founding artistes and most gifted songwriters who sang lead on the company’s breakthrough single 'Money (That’s What I Want)', has died. He was 81. – Photo: AP

Barrett Strong, one of Motown’s founding artistes and most gifted songwriters who sang lead on the company’s breakthrough single Money (That’s What I Want) and later collaborated with Norman Whitfield on such classics as I Heard It Through The Grapevine, War and Papa Was a Rollin' Stone, has died. He was 81.

His death was announced Sunday on social media by the Motown Museum, which did not immediately provide further details.