Robert White (guitarist)

Robert Willie White (November 19, 1936 – October 27, 1994)[1] was an American soul musician and a guitarist for Motown's in-house studio band, the Funk Brothers.[2]

Robert White
White in Motown's Studio A
Background information
Birth nameRobert Willie White
Born(1936-11-19)November 19, 1936
Billmeyer, Pennsylvania, United States
DiedOctober 27, 1994(1994-10-27) (aged 57)
Los Angeles, California
GenresSoul
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsGuitar
Years activemid-1950s–1980s
LabelsMotown
Associated actsFunk Brothers, and others

Born in the small town of Billmeyer, Pennsylvania,[3][4] he received music lessons from his uncle. He toured with The Moonglows and played bass prior to making Detroit his home in 1960. He did session work at Anna Records and later became one of the three core guitarists at Motown, along with Joe Messina and Eddie Willis.[2] There, he performed primarily as a rhythm guitarist and played lead guitar when particular melodies needed his distinct tone.[2][3] He is best known for writing and performing the guitar riff on The Temptations' number-one hit single "My Girl", and performed on numerous Motown hits,[2][5][6] including "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" and "What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye, "You Keep Me Hangin' On" by The Supremes, and "My Cherie Amour" by Stevie Wonder.

Oscar Moore and Wes Montgomery were among White's influences. Among the guitars White used to record were the Gibson ES 335 and the Gibson L-5.[3]

White moved to Los Angeles in the mid-1970s. He toured with The Temptations in 1980s and co-owned a recording studio.[2] He died of complications from open heart surgery in October 1994 at age 57.[1] He is featured in the 2002 documentary film Standing in the Shadows of Motown.

References
  1. Jeremy Simmonds (2008). The Encyclopedia of Dead Rock Stars. Chicago Review Press. p. 321. ISBN 9781556527548. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  2. Ed Hogan. "Allmusic: Robert White – biography". allmusic.com. Archived from the original on April 28, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  3. "Standing in the Shadows of Motown – Bios of the Funk Brothers". standingintheshadowsofmotown.com. Archived from the original on April 14, 2012. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
  4. "Billmeyer (in Lancaster County, PA) Populated Place Profile". pennsylvania.hometownlocator.com. Archived from the original on May 7, 2015. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  5. Tim Brookes (2007). Guitar: An American Life. Grove/Atlantic. pp. 236–237. ISBN 9781555846138. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  6. Ken Shane (December 18, 2014). "Soul Serenade: The Temptations, 'My Girl' at 50". popdose.com. Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
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