Eddie Holland on late songwriting partner Lamont Dozier: 'He had the soul of music in him'

Detroit native Lamont Dozier, part of Motown's mighty Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting-production team, died Monday at 81.

Friends and collaborators reacted Tuesday to his passing, including Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross and Berry Gordy. And there was Eddie Holland, who worked closely with Dozier and Brian Holland to create hits aplenty for the Supremes, Four Tops, the Isley Brothers and others.

Related: Songwriter-producer Lamont Dozier, force behind the scenes at Motown, dies at 81

Here's what they had to say:

Eddie Holland:

"Lamont was extremely sensitive. He was introverted. A nice guy, extremely charming. But he was always in a quiet mood.

I can say this: He had a lot of energy for work. He was always at his piano, still producing work. He was most active when he was at his piano. I don’t care what his situation was — depressed, brokenhearted, happy — he was at that piano. And he was happier when he was there. It did something to his mind that was very, very strong. He had the music in him; he had the soul of music in him.

He was the one creative person who could function better when he was sad and making melodies. It just made him stronger. I would marvel at that.

He was an exceptional talent, and he will be missed.

He had his own uniqueness about him, and that’s what made Holland-Dozier-Holland strong. Brian Holland had his style, Eddie Holland had his style, and that made things a whole.

I don’t think we ever met our potential as a team. We started off very young, and the more experience we got, the better we got. But certain things that happened at Motown put a damper on it. We were still developing. But there was something about the three of us that was magic.

His wife, Barbara, would say: 'When these three are together they light up the room, like they’re kids again.'

We had such a family type of relationship. In spite of the arguments, there was something special in that Motown system of people. I’ll tell you something: When we needed each other, everybody was there. It was a strange, beautiful relationship that being involved in Motown created.

We’re going to miss each other. Maybe we’re going to see each other in a different life. Every time a person from Motown dies, someone we grew up with, it takes a little bit more out of us. It sort of chips away at the memories, that thought of 'this will go on forever.' ”

Smokey Robinson:

"Another family member gone. We will miss him, really miss him."

Berry Gordy:

"We’ve lost a member of one of the great songwriting and producing teams of our time — Lamont Dozier, of the iconic team of Holland-Dozier-Holland.

H-D-H, as we called them, gave the Supremes not only their first No. 1 record, “Where Did Our Love Go,” but they followed that with multiple No. 1s over the next three years. Unheard of. They propelled the Supremes into superstardom and also worked their magic with artists like the Four Tops, Marvin Gaye and Martha and the Vandellas. In the 1960s, their sound became synonymous with the 'Motown Sound.'

Lamont was a brilliant arranger and producer who balanced the talents of the great Eddie and Brian Holland, helping to pull it all together.

Lamont was a good friend and will be missed by the entire Motown family. My sincere condolences to his family and friends."

Diana Ross:

"My condolences to Lamont Dozier’s family. He will always be remembered through all the beautiful songs that he wrote for me and the Supremes, and so many other beautiful songs." (Via Twitter)

Robin Terry, Motown Museum chairwoman and CEO:

"As part of the unmatched songwriting and production team of Holland-Dozier-Holland, Lamont Dozier is largely responsible for shaping the Motown Sound."

Turkessa Babich, daughter of the late Mary Wilson of the Supremes:

"Lamont Dozier was not only one of Mom’s dearest friends but considered him family. I can remember Mom jokingly telling us about how he tried to convince her that he wrote 'Where Did Our Love Go' especially for them, but Mom knew that another group had already passed on it, and told him so. She recalled that she didn’t really care for it at first, because she felt they were too young for that kind of song, but it eventually grew on her. I guess it grew on the world as well since it became their first No. 1 hit.

Lamont, along with the Holland brothers, affectionally known as H-D-H, were the reason why the ‘No-Hit Supremes‘ became the world’s No. 1 female recording group of all time with 12 No. 1 hits, five of them consecutive. Prayers, love and support to the Dozier family, the Motown family, friends and fans. We will always have his beautiful music and memories."

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Eddie Holland on Lamont Dozier: 'He had the soul of music in him'