Remembering Janie Bradford: Honouring a Motown Pioneer, Songwriter and Keeper of the Legacy: 2nd June 1939 - 21st August 2026

Some people contribute to music. Others help shape its history. Janie Bradford did both.

The passing of Janie Bradford on 21 August 2026 marked the loss of an extraordinary woman whose contribution to Motown, songwriting and the recognition of music industry pioneers deserves to be remembered for generations.

For me, this tribute is also personal.

I had the immense pleasure of meeting Janie and, later, being given the opportunity to interview her for On the Sofa with Esther.

Janie, I as told at the time never really liked to do interviews,, so I never took that opportunity for granted. To sit in conversation with a woman who had witnessed, participated in and contributed to such an important period in music history was a privilege.

Following her passing, I felt it was important that On the Sofa with Esther did what it has always sought to do: create a space where the stories, achievements and legacies of extraordinary people can be preserved through the voices of those who actually knew them.

That led to not one, but two special tribute programmes dedicated to Janie Bradford.

The Woman Behind Part of the Motown Story: Janie Bradford a Motown Pioneer & Songwriter

Janie Bradford's name is woven into the history of Motown.

She is perhaps best known as the co-writer, alongside Berry Gordy, of “Money (That’s What I Want)”, originally recorded by Barrett Strong and subsequently recorded by numerous artists, including The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.

But Janie's contribution extended far beyond one famous song.

As a songwriter and as part of the Motown family, she worked during an extraordinary period when a relatively small group of writers, producers, musicians and performers in Detroit were creating music that would travel around the world.

Her career also extended into the business and development side of the industry, including her work with Jobete Music, Motown's publishing company.

Yet one of the things I particularly admired about Janie's later legacy was her commitment to ensuring that other people were recognised.

The Heroes & Legends Awards

Janie founded the Heroes & Legends (HAL) Awards, creating a platform that celebrated individuals whose contributions to entertainment and music might otherwise have gone insufficiently recognised.

The awards also supported the next generation through educational scholarships.

There is something very powerful about that.

After building her own place in music history, Janie used her influence to shine a light on others.

I had the pleasure of attending the HAL Awards in Beverly Hills, where I met Janie. Over time, that connection eventually led to something I value greatly the opportunity to interview her and being trusted with that conversation meant a great deal to me.

During our interview, audiences were able to hear from Janie herself not simply read about her achievements or hear someone else's interpretation of her story.

That is one of the reasons preserving interviews with our pioneers is so important.

When we capture their voices, memories and experiences while they are with us, we preserve something that can never truly be recreated later.

On the Sofa with Esther — Janie Bradford Tribute, Part 1

Following Janie's passing, On the Sofa with Esther presented the first part of a special tribute bringing together people connected to Motown, entertainment and Janie's life and legacy. Janie Bradford: a Motown Pioneer & Songwriter.

Among those joining the tribute were distinguished voices including Scherrie Payne from The Former Supremes, Louvain Demps of The Andantes; Cherisse Wilson, Founder Producer @ CMG Company Films LLC | Development, Production, Screenwriting. Business partner of Janie Bradford on two films "Clash of the Titans" and "The Miranda Rites" and John “Sly” Wilson from Sly, Slick and Wicked, Inductees into the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame and The Motown Museum's Men of Motown Award. .

What made the programme particularly meaningful was that it wasn't simply a discussion of Janie's professional credits. It was about Janie the person.

Through memories, stories and reflections, we were able to honour the woman behind the Motown history. Watch Part 1 here: (1) Facebook

Part 2 — Continuing the Celebration

There was still so much love and so many memories surrounding Janie that the tribute continued with Part 2 on Sunday 30 August 2026.

For this second programme, I was delighted to have Errol Brown join me as co-host.

Errol is a singer with The Chosen Few, the celebrated Jamaican reggae and vocal harmony group whose history reaches back to the late 1960s and the earlier group The Federals in Kingston, Jamaica.

We were joined by Andre L. Pittmon of Enthrone Records Entertainment, whose commitment to recognising legends and pioneers within the music industry made his contribution particularly fitting.

Also joining us was the legendary William “Mickey” Stevenson, Motown's first A&R man, Songwriter, Record Producer for Motown someone whose own memories and experiences take us directly back to the foundations of the Motown story. Wiillam 'Mickey' Stevenson wrote many hits with Janie. He led the A&R department in the mid-1960s, a period when artists like the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, Four Tops, Stevie Wonder and Martha Reeves and the Vandellas rose to prominence. Stevenson also played a key role in organizing and forming the company's in-house studio band known as The Funk Brothers.

Also joining us was Colin Smith a music connoisseur and avid supporter of On the Sofa with Esther.

A very special thank you must go to Andre Pittmon, whose support helped bring together these important voices to celebrate Janie.

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Why These Conversations Matter

The passing of Janie Bradford reminds us why I remain so passionate about interviewing pioneers while we still have the privilege of hearing their stories directly.

Music history is not simply a collection of hit records, chart positions, photographs and awards.

It is people.

It is the songwriter sitting with an idea before anyone knows it will become a classic.

It is the producer hearing something special in a young artist.

It is the people working behind the scenes whose names may never become as famous as the stars they helped create. And it is the friendships, struggles, laughter, sacrifices and memories that rarely make it into the official history books.

This is at the heart of what I seek to preserve through On the Sofa with Esther and Esther Austin Global. Having had the pleasure of interviewing Janie herself makes these two tribute programmes particularly poignant for me.

I was able to hear her story in her own words while she was here.

And after her passing, I was able to bring together people who knew, respected and loved her to say:

We remember you. We honour you. And your contribution will not be forgotten.

A Legacy That Continues

Janie Bradford leaves behind songs that continue to be heard around the world.

She leaves behind an important chapter in the history of Motown.

She leaves behind the Heroes & Legends Awards and the people whose achievements she helped recognise.

She leaves behind the young people whose futures were supported through scholarships. And she leaves behind memories held by friends, colleagues and generations of music lovers. For me, I will remain grateful that our paths crossed and that I had the pleasure and privilege of interviewing her.

Rest in peace, Janie Bradford.

Thank you for the music.

Thank you for championing others.

Thank you for the memories.

And thank you for leaving us a legacy worth preserving. Stay Connected with Esther Austin Global

If you value conversations that preserve the stories of music legends, pioneers, cultural icons and extraordinary people, I invite you to become part of the Esther Austin Global community. Link supplied by Andre Pittmon of Janie Bradford: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1698440244490248

Sign up at www.estheraustinglobal.com to receive news about upcoming interviews, special broadcasts, cultural features and events.

On the Sofa with Esther — preserving extraordinary stories, conversations and legacies. Thank you to our sponsor: The Pen and Paper Studio, Sandra Wilson. We are grateful for their support in helping us continue to honour and preserve musical legacy.

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