Music
Hank Cosby
1928–2002 · saxophonist, songwriter, arranger, producer
Detroit saxophonist from Motown's first studio band who co-wrote "Fingertips", "Uptight", "My Cherie Amour" and "The Tears of a Clown".
- Born
Detroit, Michigan- Died
Royal Oak, Michigan
aged 73- Birth name
- Henry R. Cosby
- Also known as
- Henry Cosby
- Detroit years
- 1928–2002
- Field
- Music
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Born in Detroit, Cosby played in an army band with Cannonball Adderley during the Korean War, then joined pianist Joe Hunter's jazz band and worked the city's clubs and studios on tenor saxophone. When Berry Gordy launched Motown in 1959 he hired Hunter's band, with Cosby, Benny Benjamin and James Jamerson, as the core of what became the Funk Brothers; Cosby plays on hundreds of 1960s sides, including "Dancing in the Street", and on John Lee Hooker's "Boom Boom". Gordy soon used him as an arranger and producer, and with Sylvia Moy he became Stevie Wonder's key collaborator from 1963 to 1970, co-writing "Fingertips", "Uptight", "I Was Made to Love Her", "My Cherie Amour" and "For Once in My Life". He also co-wrote and co-produced the Supremes' "Love Child" and the Miracles' "The Tears of a Clown". He stayed in Michigan when Motown left and died in Royal Oak in 2002.
Highlights
- Tenor saxophonist in Motown's original studio band
- Co-wrote three No. 1 hits: "Fingertips", "Love Child", "The Tears of a Clown"
- Co-wrote "Uptight" and "My Cherie Amour" for Stevie Wonder
- Songwriters Hall of Fame 2006 (with Sylvia Moy)
- Produced an early recording featuring Prince (94 East, 1977)
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 2
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Recorded here · 1959–1972
Motown Museum
Played saxophone and produced sessions in Studio A.
Buried here · 2002
Forest Lawn Cemetery
His grave (per Wikidata).