Joe Hunter (musician)

One of the original Funk Brothers, Hunter served as band director from 1959 until 1964, when he left Motown and was replaced by Earl Van Dyke.[1] He led the record label's studio band, The Funk Brothers, and was instrumental in recruiting many of its musicians, such as James Jamerson and later Earl Van Dyke.[1][2] During his tenure at Motown he performed on many of the label's hits such as "Pride and Joy" by Marvin Gaye, "Heat Wave" and "Come and Get These Memories" by Martha and the Vandellas, "Do You Love Me" by The Contours, and "Way Over There" and "Shop Around"[a] by The Miracles.[1][2] He worked with record labels Golden World and Fortune and artists Bobby “Blue” Bland, Junior Parker, Edwin Starr, Jimmy Ruffin and others.[2][3] He was involved with Pied Piper Productions,[7] and he was affiliated with artists Dennis Edwards, The Hesitations, Freddy Butler[citation needed] and John Lee Hooker.
Joe Hunter (4th from left) as part of The Funk Brothers in 2006
Ivory Joe HunterIvy Jo HunterJackson, TennesseeDetroitThe Funk BrothersMotown RecordsEarl Van DykeDwike MitchellElvin JonesArt TatumSergei RachmaninoffNat King ColeThe MidnightersJames JamersonPride and JoyMarvin GayeHeat WaveCome and Get These MemoriesMartha and the VandellasDo You Love MeThe ContoursWay Over ThereShop AroundThe MiraclesMotown SoundStevie WonderGolden WorldFortuneBobby “Blue” BlandJunior ParkerEdwin StarrJimmy RuffinDennis EdwardsThe HesitationsJohn Lee HookerStanding in the Shadows of MotownGrammysGrammy for Lifetime AchievementMt. Olivet CemeteryGerald PosnerBerry GordyTimes OnlineBillboardSt. Martin'sDiscogsRichard "Pistol" AllenJack AshfordBob BabbittBenny BenjaminEddie "Bongo" BrownJohnny GriffithUriel JonesJoe MessinaRobert WhiteEddie Willis#1 hit singlesPlease Mr. PostmanFingertipsMy GuyWhere Did Our Love GoBaby LoveCome See About MeMy GirlStop! In the Name of LoveBack in My Arms AgainI Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)I Hear a SymphonyYou Can't Hurry LoveReach Out I'll Be ThereYou Keep Me Hangin' OnLove Is Here and Now You're GoneThe HappeningLove ChildI Heard It Through the GrapevineI Can't Get Next to YouSomeday We'll Be TogetherAin't No Mountain High EnoughThe Tears of a ClownJust My Imagination (Running Away with Me)Papa Was a Rollin' StoneLet's Get It On