Introduction to Eddie Holland

Who is Eddie Holland?

Eddie Holland Jr. (born Edward Holland in Detroit, Michigan in 1939) is an American recording artist, songwriter and record producer best known as being part of the Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting and production team, along with his own brother Brian, and another member Lamont Dozier. They were responsible for writing hits for The Supremes, Martha and the Vandellas, The Four Tops, and many other musicians involved in the Motown sound especially during the 60s music era. Before devoting his entire time to producing, Holland was previously a singer. He had released a total of fifteen singles, among them being “Jamie” which was a Top 40 pop hit in 1961. Stage fright was the major reason for his departure from recording, and since then he has been working behind the scenes as a songwriter and producer.

Eddie Holland as part of Holland-Dozier-Holland

American singer, songwriter and record producer Edward Holland Jr. may have the Top 40 pop hit “Jamie,” but he’s more known for his vast body of work as a producer.  Born on October 30, 1939 in Detroit, Michigan, Holland was one of the early artists who got signed to Motown Records.

Holland also became a part of the legendary songwriting and record producing trio Holland-Dozier-Holland, who also consisted of Lamont Dozier and Eddie’s own brother Brian. Like Eddie himself, Lamont and Brian have also had on-and-off stints as performers. However, their work in bringing the Motown sound in the 1960s easily overshadowed each of the individual members’ own insignificant singing careers.

Holland-Dozier-Holland, obviously, were the vital part of Motown’s golden years. They wrote songs for the Motown label that became huge crossover hits such as. They include Martha and the Vandella’s “(Love Is Like a) Heatwave,” “Nowhere to Run” and “Quicksand,” “Mickey’s Monkey” (by The Miracles), The Four Tops’ “I Can’t Help Myself,” and most of The Supreme’s  pop and R&B chart-toppers. These songs have become timeless pop and R&B classics.

When Holland-Dozier-Holland left Motown in 1967 the trio continued to work with other artists and for other labels until Dozier left in 1973 to attempt a solo performing and producing career. In 2009 the trio had a reunion of sorts to write songs for musical The First Wives Club, based from the 1996 sleeper hit comedy film.

Holland as a recording artist

As a recording artist, he released several singles which modestly registered to the Billboard Hot 100: “Jamie” (#30, 1962, which is his only Top 40 hit) “Candy To Me” (#58, 1964), “Just Ain’t Enough Love” (#54, 1964) and “Leaving Here” (#76, 1964) which were truly a treat for every oldies music fans. Eventually, Holland stopped making his own records due to stage fright and decided to work behind the stage curtains, working for other artists as a songwriter and producer.

Legacy of Holland-Dozier-Holland

Also known in their initials as “HDH,” Holland-Dozier-Holland have been cited for their pioneering work in bringing the distinguishable “Motown sound” which brought African-American artists at the forefront of the 60s pop scene. They have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Soul Music Hall of Fame.