LAS VEGAS (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — Motown guitarist and songwriter Marv Tarplin died on Sept. 30th at his home in Las Vegas. He was 70.
According to the New York Times, a spokeswoman for the Miracles, Jeanne Sorensen, said that the cause of his death has not been determined.
Tarplin helped to define the sound of Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, collaborating on the songwriting of numerous hits, including "The Tracks of My Tears," "My Girl Has Gone," "Going to a Go-Go" and "The Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage."
He also helped to write several Marvin Gaye hits, including chart toppers such as "I’ll Be Doggone" and "Ain’t That Peculiar."
Tarplin was also an accomplished musician in his own right, getting his start playing guitar for the Primettes, an early version of the group that would become the Supremes. He also played guitar for the Miracles for decades, touring with the band until he retired in 2008.
According to the NYT, Tarplin is survived by three daughters, Talese, Lisa and Ebony. – CelebrityAccess Staff Writers
