Norman Whitfield was an influential American songwriter and record producer, best known for his work with the Motown label during the 1960s and 1970s. He played a key role in shaping the sound of The Temptations, contributing to their classic hits like "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" and "Cloud Nine." His innovative production techniques helped define the genre of psychedelic soul. Whitfield was born on May 12, 1940, in Harlem, New York City. He began his career at Motown in the early 1960s and became a prominent figure in the music industry, collaborating with various artists and writing numerous chart-topping songs. His contributions earned him several awards, including induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.