Norman Whitfield, 1940-2008

Norman Whitfield, the leading songwriter and producer of Motown's psychedelic years, died Tuesday of complications from diabetes.

He was the producer for The Temptations from 1966 to 1973. "Ball of Confusion"? That was his. "I Wish It Would Rain"? Him, too. "Ain't Too Proud to Beg"? "Papa Was a Rolling Stone"? Do you need to ask at this point?

His production of the Marvelettes' "Too Many Fish in the Sea" is a little-known masterpiece that you should download from iTunes right now.

Plus, he did "Car Wash". Which I like. But that's certainly not mandatory.