Record producer, and songwriter Berry Gordy, Jr.

Berry Gordy started Tamala Records, with an $800 loan
from his family along with royalties received from writing
for singer Jackie Wilson. He originally wanted to name
the new label “Tammy” Records, after the hit song by
Debbie Reynolds, but discovered it was already taken.

Tamala’s first release in 1959, in the Detroit area, was
”Come to Me” by Marv Johnson. It was released on the
United Artists label nationally. Tamala’s first hit was a
Barrett Strong number called “Money (That’s What I
Want)”, which went to number-two on the Billboard
R&B charts.

Marvin Earl Johnson (October 15, 1938 – May 16, 1993)

The Andrews Sisters

"Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" was a big hit for The Andrews Sisters. It was written
by Don Raye and Hughie Prince. The  song was recorded at Decca’s Hollywood
studios, almost a year before the United States entered World War ll. It is ranked
#6 on Songs of the Century.

 
Richard David Lawson (1954 – December 23, 2013)

LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) — Studio drummer Ricky Lawson, who collaborated
with Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Whitney Houston and other
artists, has died at a California hospital after suffering a brain aneurism earlier
this month.

Lawson became disoriented Dec. 13 during a show in Seal Beach, Calif., and
was diagnosed with an aneurism.

Paul Riser of Detroit told The Associated Press on Tuesday that his nephew
was removed from life support after 10 days and died Monday evening.

Lawson was being treated at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center.

The Detroit native jumped into the music business even before graduating from
Cooley High School, and he became one of the nation’s top studio musicians in
the 1980s.

His work appears on Houston’s version of "I Will Always Love You."

"I Think We’re Alone Now" was one of Tommy James’ most successful recordings
in 1967, reaching #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 during a 17-week stay.

Tommy James (Thomas Gregory Jackson) turned 66 April 29