Jackson 5 producer Deke Richards dies

The Motown producer best known for working with the Jackson 5 on many of their biggest hits, Deke Richards has passed away at 68.

Richards, who worked with the group on such songs as ‘ABC’ and ‘I Want You Back’, died of oesophageal cancer on Sunday (24 March).

As well as working with Jackson 5, Richards (real name Dennis Lautier) also produced records by Diana Ross, Debbie Dean and more. He was also a member of groups, The Clan and The Corporations.

FACT note that Richards (pictured above, middle) was helping put together a 50th anniversary boxset of Martha Reeves and the Vandellas material at the time of his death. That comes out on 5 April.