Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Motown Songwriter Janie Bradford Hobbs Dies at 87
Janie Bradford Hobbs was a songwriter who helped Motown become successful.
She died at age 87 after being ill for a long time.
She first worked at Motown as a receptionist in 1958.
She soon began helping create songs.
She co-wrote “Money (That’s What I Want),” one of Motown’s early hits.
The Beatles later recorded their own version of that song.
She also wrote songs performed by Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and other Motown artists.
Berry Gordy said she was part of Motown’s original family and an important unsung helper.
Janie Bradford Hobbs died Saturday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after an extended illness.
She joined Motown as a receptionist in 1958 after moving from Charleston, Missouri, to Detroit.
Bradford Hobbs co-wrote “Money (That’s What I Want)” with Berry Gordy for Barrett Strong in 1959.
She also wrote “Too Busy Thinking About My Baby,” later a hit for Marvin Gaye.
Her credits included songs recorded by Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Martha & The Vandellas and other Motown artists.
- Who
- Janie Bradford Hobbs, an early Motown songwriter and publishing executive.
- What
- She died at 87 after an extended illness.
- When
- Saturday; the articles do not specify the date.
- Where
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, where she had long lived.
- Why
- Her family said she died following an extended illness.
- Age at death
- 87
- Cause of death
- Following an extended illness
- Place of death
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles
- Motown start
- Joined the company as a receptionist in 1958
- Major co-writing credit
- “Money (That’s What I Want),” co-written with Berry Gordy and recorded by Barrett Strong in 1959
- Other notable song
- “Too Busy Thinking About My Baby,” later a hit for Marvin Gaye
- Later career
- Founded Mountain Goat Music and opened the Music Notes Gift Shop in Beverly Hills