Cornelius Grant facts for kids

Cornelius Grant, born on April 27, 1943, is an amazing American guitarist, songwriter, and band leader. He was the main guitar player and musical director for the famous Motown group, The Temptations, from 1964 to 1982.

Early Life and Learning Guitar

Cornelius Grant was born in Fairfield, Texas. He grew up with his grandmother, whom he loved very much. He taught himself to play the guitar when he was only nine years old!

Becoming a Professional Musician

When Cornelius was 13, his family moved to Detroit. By the time he was 15, he was already playing guitar in clubs, bars, and talent shows. Just three years later, he was playing with famous singers like Mary Wells and Marvin Gaye. Soon after, The Temptations hired him to join their band.

Writing Hit Songs

Cornelius Grant used special guitars like the Gibson Birdland and the Fender Telecaster. He created the famous opening guitar part for the song ""I Know I'm Losing You"." He wrote this hit song with Eddie Holland and Norman Whitfield.

He also helped write other popular songs:

• "You're My Everything" (with Roger Penzabene and Norman Whitfield)
• "Take Me in Your Arms and Love Me" (for Gladys Knight & the Pips)
• "Ain't No Sun (Since You Been Gone)" (for Gladys Knight & the Pips)
• ""You Got to Earn It"" (for The Temptations)
• "I Gotta Find A Way (To Get You Back)" (for The Temptations)
• "My Weakness Is You" (for Edwin Starr)
• "I Want My Baby Back" (for Edwin Starr)
• "I'm More Than Happy (I'm Satisfied)" (for Stevie Wonder)
• "Love and Affection" (for Marvin Gaye)

Performing Around the World

As a member of The Temptations, Cornelius Grant traveled all over the world. He played for fans in places like the Pacific, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The band was even invited to the White House by President Richard Nixon!

Cornelius also met many famous people, including Martin Luther King Jr., Julie Nixon Eisenhower, Jesse Jackson, Elton John, and even The Beatles. He appeared on many television shows too.

He also played guitar on some Motown studio recordings with the Funk Brothers from 1964 to 1970. One famous song he played on was Gladys Knight & the Pips' "I Heard It Through the Grapevine".

Other Cool Things He Does

In 1983, Cornelius Grant started writing for The Hollywood Reporter, which is a big magazine about movies and entertainment. He also wrote a lot for BRE Magazine as a columnist.

Today, he has a radio show called "Flashbacks and Newtraks." On this show, he interviews people, shares entertainment news, plays old songs, and talks about different ideas with his co-host, Sylkie Green.

When Cornelius gives talks, he sometimes shares the stage with other people who worked at Motown. These include Don Foster, who managed The Supremes and The Temptations, and Ruth Adkins Robinson, a TV writer and Motown expert.