Joe Messina, one of Motown’s A-list musician guitarists who became known as the Funk Brothers, died early Monday (4) at the home of his son Joel Messina in the Detroit suburb of Northville. He was 93 and had long suffered from kidney disease, but lived alone until a month ago, reports the Detroit Free Pressand invited other players to jam sessions.

Messina, known as the “white brother with a soul” to his peers, has contributed his deft skills on a Fender Telecaster to countless Motown staples. They included Martha and the Vandellas“Dancing in the Street” the four peaks“I can’t help it (sugar pie, honey bouquet)”, Diana Ross and the Supremes‘ “One day we’ll be together,” Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell“Your Precious Love”, the temptations‘ ‘Ain’t too proud to beg’, and countless others.

After the success of the 2002 documentary Standing in the shadow of Motownwhich was directed by Paul Justman and produced a double Grammy-winning soundtrack, Messina was among 13 musicians officially recognized as the Funk Brothers by the Recording Academy.

They won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004, and their belated recognition by the wider music world earned them a collective star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2013. They have also toured under the band’s name for the first time, including at a memorable star-studded performance at London’s Royal Festival Hall in 2004.

“As one of the original Funk Brothers, Joe Messina leaves a lasting legacy as one of the creators of Motown sound,” said Robin Terry, CEO and President of the Motown Museum of Detroit. “A powerful talent, he was personally recruited by Berry Gordy and had a huge impact during the label’s most formative years. We are thinking of his family and his fans, and will continue to celebrate his musical contributions for generations to come. »

Messina was often part of a three-part guitar arrangement at Motown’s famed “Snakepit” studio, harmonizing with Robert White and Eddie “Chank” Willis. Born in Detroit on December 13, 1928, he developed his style in his early years, reaching the ranks of the ABC Television group in his mid-twenties. His licks were perfected in Detroit jazz clubs in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

In a message to music students on the Educational CyberPlayGround website, Messina wrote, “When you learn an instrument or compose music, the teacher opens the door, but you have to enter on your own to experience the wonderful world of chords. All the great composers, such as Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Brahms, Debussy, etc. had a great knowledge of chords.

He performed live incessantly, fronting his own Joe Messina Orchestra and performing on comedian-actor’s long-running TV show Soupy Sales. As he recalled in the documentary, he was personally sought out by the founder of Motown Berry Gordy as the company began its rapid expansion in the early 1960s, and soon became an integral part of the studio as a whole.

Stevie Wonder, one of many Motown stars to benefit from Messina’s skillful playing, once noted: “Benny Benjamin, James Jamerson, Robert White and Joe Messina, the original cats, Joe Hunter, who played the piano, Earl Van Dyke with his organ thing. For me, it’s Motown Sound.

Messina continued to play local gigs even during the demanding demands of all-night Motown sessions, while his business acumen (including buying a car wash) stood him in good stead when the business moved. in Los Angeles. Even when the Funk Brothers gained such belated acclaim, he remained modest about his legacy.

“He was the warmest human being – always a smile, always a good word, always a sunny disposition,” said Motown arranger and trombonist Paul Riser. Detroit Free Press. “He was grounded and assured, just a great spirit with music.”