Janie Bradford, Motown songwriter behind ‘Money (That’s What I Want)’, dies aged 87

Janie Bradford, the Motown songwriter who co-wrote ‘Money (That’s What I Want)’, has died at the age of 87. READ MORE: The best Motown songs of all time Her family confirmed the news earlier today, announcing that Bradford passed away at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles yesterday (August 21), following an extended illness. Motown founder Berry Gordy paid tribute to her in a statement, saying: “Janie was there with me from the very beginning, before there was even a Motown.” “Janie was smart, clever, witty and fun. She was also talented and determined. In those early days, everybody did what was needed to be done, and Janie was no exception. She became Motown’s first receptionist, but her talents quickly took her far beyond the desk,” he added. Bradford was born in Charleston, Missouri in 1939 and later moved to Detroit, where her neighbour Jackie Wilson introduced her to Gordy. Wilson had already recorded a number of hits written by Gordy, including ‘Reet Petite’ and ‘Lonely Teardrops’. Bradford began working with Gordy in 1958, before the Motown label had even been officially founded, and as well as working as a secretary, she quickly became involved in the company’s creative ...