Robert White | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Robert Willie White |
Born |
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States |
November 19, 1936
Origin | Detroit, Michigan, United States |
Died | October 27, 1994 Los Angeles, California, United States |
(aged 57)
Genres | Soul |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instruments | Guitar |
Years active | 1959–1972 |
Associated acts | Funk Brothers, Motown Records |
Robert Willie White (November 19, 1936 – October 27, 1994) was an African-American soul musician, one of the guitarists for Motown's in-house studio band, the Funk Brothers, White is best known for performing the guitar riff on The Temptations' number-one hit single "My Girl", but played the guitar on many successful Motown records, including "Can I Get a Witness" by Marvin Gaye, "You Keep Me Hangin' On" by The Supremes, "My Cherie Amour" by Stevie Wonder, "Something About You" by the Four Tops and "It's a Shame" by The Spinners.
Oscar Moore and Wes Montgomery were among White's influences. Among the guitars White used to record were the Gibson ES 335 and the Gibson L-5.
White died of complications from open heart surgery in Los Angeles in October 1994, aged 57.