Barrett Strong, singer and songwriter, dies at 81

The musician and songwriter Barrett Strong, who created the first hit for Motown Records, has passed away. He was 81.

In a post on its social media pages on Sunday, the Motown Museum announced the news.

"It is with great sadness that we share the passing of legendary @ClassicMotown singer and songwriter Barrett Strong," the Twitter post read.

"I am saddened to hear of the passing of Barrett Strong, one of my earliest artists, and the man who sang my first big hit," said Motown founder Berry Gordy in a statement.

He continued, "Barrett was not only a great singer and piano player, but he, along with his writing partner Norman Whitfield, created an incredible body of work, primarily with the Temptations. Their hit songs were revolutionary in sound and captured the spirit of the times … Barrett is an original member of the Motown Family and will be missed by all of us."