James Anthony Dean (February 7, 1943 – April 9, 2006)^[1] was an American songwriter. He was best known for his work at Motown Records in the 1960s, often in collaboration with William Weatherspoon with whom he co-wrote several hits including Jimmy Ruffin's "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted". Dean also co-wrote, with John Glover, "You Don't Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show)", a US No. 1 hit for Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr.

Biography

Dean was born in Detroit the oldest child to Richard and Dorothy Dean, and attended Hamtramck High School in Hamtramck, Michigan.^[2] He served in the US Army, and then began working as a songwriter for Motown in 1964. He teamed up with William Weatherspoon to write hits for Jimmy Ruffin ("What Becomes of the Brokenhearted", "I've Passed This Way Before", "Farewell Is a Lonely Sound", "I'll Say Forever My Love", and "It's Wonderful (To Be Loved by You)"); Marv Johnson ("I'll Pick a Rose for My Rose"); Edwin Starr ("I Am the Man for You Baby"); and others.^[3] Dean co-wrote The Supremes' "Everything Is Good About You Baby" with Eddie Holland; Eddie and Brian Holland were Dean's cousins.^[2] He and Weatherspoon also co-produced "When You're Young and in Love", a hit for the Marvelettes.

With John Glover, Dean co-wrote for the Four Tops, First Choice, and Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr., having his greatest success with the latter pair's 1976 US No. 1 record "You Don't Have to Be a Star (To Be in My Show)".^[3]

Dean died from cancer of the spine at his home in Detroit in 2006 at the age of 63.^[2]

References