Deke Richards dies, Richards wrote classics for Jackson 5, Diana Ross
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Deke聽Richards, who led the prolific songwriting and producing team at聽Motown聽Records that wrote for the Jackson 5 under the simple heading The Corporation, has died,Universal Music聽said on Monday.
Richards, 68, died on Sunday at the Whatcom Hospice House in聽Bellingham,聽Washington, surrounded by his immediate family,聽Universal Music聽said in a statement. He had been battling a long illness, it said.
Richards, whose real name was聽Dennis Lussier, along with聽Motown聽founder聽Berry Gordy,聽Alphonzo Mizell聽and聽Freddie Perren聽comprised "The Corporation," the label's in-house producers and writers in the 1960s and 1970s.
The Corporation wrote and produced the Jackson 5's first three songs to reach No. 1: "I Want You Back," "ABC," and "The Love You Save," as well as many others, Universal said.聽Richards聽also wrote for聽Diana Ross,聽Martha Reeves聽& the Vandellas, and other artists.
Richards聽is survived by his wife,聽Joan Lussier; his brother,聽Dane Lussier; and nephews聽Chris Lussier聽and聽Cory Lussier. (Reporting by David Bailey in Minneapolis; Editing by Catherine Evans)
