Songwriter. He is perhaps best known for his penning of Michael Jackson's first hit single as a solo artist "Got To Be There" (1971). He attended Bayonne High School and majored in Biology attaining his BA from Boston University. Following post-graduate studies at the University of Massachusetts, he worked as a research scientist at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. His career as a songwriter began during the early 1970s with Motown Records, where he collaborated with acclaimed producer Hal Davis. Willensky's song "Got To Be There" written for Michael Jackson reached number four on the pop charts in November 1971. (In 1982, Chaka Khan's version became a hit on the R&B charts). He followed this with The Fifth Dimension's "The Singer" (1971), (also recorded by Gladys Knight and the Pips in 1973), Smokey Robinson's "It's Been a Long Time (Since I Been In Love)" (1977), Thelma Houston and Jerry Butler's "You Gave Me Love" (1978), and Whitney Houston and Jermaine Jackson's duet "If You Say My Eyes Are Beautiful." During the 1970s, he served as music coordinator for "The Tony Orlando and Dawn Show." He died from a stroke.
Songwriter. He is perhaps best known for his penning of Michael Jackson's first hit single as a solo artist "Got To Be There" (1971). He attended Bayonne High School and majored in Biology attaining his BA from Boston University. Following post-graduate studies at the University of Massachusetts, he worked as a research scientist at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. His career as a songwriter began during the early 1970s with Motown Records, where he collaborated with acclaimed producer Hal Davis. Willensky's song "Got To Be There" written for Michael Jackson reached number four on the pop charts in November 1971. (In 1982, Chaka Khan's version became a hit on the R&B charts). He followed this with The Fifth Dimension's "The Singer" (1971), (also recorded by Gladys Knight and the Pips in 1973), Smokey Robinson's "It's Been a Long Time (Since I Been In Love)" (1977), Thelma Houston and Jerry Butler's "You Gave Me Love" (1978), and Whitney Houston and Jermaine Jackson's duet "If You Say My Eyes Are Beautiful." During the 1970s, he served as music coordinator for "The Tony Orlando and Dawn Show." He died from a stroke.
Bio by: C.S.
Advertisement
