Joseph Hunter: 1927 - 2007

“Papa Joe” was Motown’s very first piano player, preceding even Earl Van Dyke. Born in Tennessee in late 1927, Joe learned to play courtesy of his mother – a piano teacher. He was instrumental in recruiting members for Motown’s house band, including the great James Jamerson. You can hear his distinctive sound on records by everyone from the Miracles to Marvin Gaye to the soundtrack from the film Dirty Dancing, where he is featured on the song “Do You Love Me” by the Contours. We were all honoured to work with Papa Joe on some of his final recordings. His spirit, his humor and his talent filled the rooms of the studio, the tracks he recorded and all of our hearts. He will be greatly missed.