Known more as a songwriter than a performer, Michael Lovesmith had strong skills in both capacities, and fashioned an important career in the soul music world throughout the 70, 80s and 90s.
Born in St. Louis, Lovesmith (actual name Michael Larry Smith) was part of the moderately successful family act the Smith Connection, which had the hit “I’ve Been a Winner.” The group then signed briefly with Holland-Dozier-Holland’s Invictus label in the mid-70s, changing its name to Lovesmith while Michael became a Motown staff writer and producer while still extremely young. He co-wrote the J5 hit “All I Do Is Think of You” and later went on to write for artists ranging from Smokey Robinson to Gladys Knight to Bobby Brown.
As Motown was hitting bumps in the 80s, Lovesmith became a solo performing artist, issuing a series of upbeat, melodic albums that had some success. He received some airplay for the songs “Baby I Will,” the Marvin Gaye-like “Break The Ice” and the ballad “A Promise Is A Promise” – solid stuff that deserved more support than it received from the label.
After his recording days were through, Lovesmith continued to write and provide backing vocals for other singers, including Luther Vandross and Barry White. He also moved up the ranks of the Motown universe, becoming an executive at Jobete Music and President of West Grand Media. He was deeply involved in the Motown 25 box set as well as the stageplay Motown: The Musical.
By Chris Rizik
