Eddie Holland is 81 years old today.
A singer, songwriter and record producer, Holland was born in Detroit.
Although he was an early Motown artist who recorded minor hit singles such as "Jamie," he started working behind the scenes due to stage fright.
Holland was a member of Holland–Dozier–Holland, the songwriting and production team responsible for much of the Motown Sound and hit records by Martha and the Vandellas, The Supremes, the Four Tops and The Isley Brothers.
Holland served as the team's lyricist, and also worked with producer, Norman Whitfield, on lyrics for the songs he produced for The Marvelettes and The Temptations, like "Too Many Fish in the Sea" and "Beauty's Only Skin Deep."
Photo by Frank Beacham