Jackson 5 producer Deke Richards dies 

Motown songwriter-producer, Deke Richards, has died from cancer at a hospice facility in Washington State.

He was sixty-eight (68).

Richards, whose real name was Dennis Lussier, died on Sunday at the Whatcom Hospice House, Peace Health St Joseph Medical Center spokeswoman Amy Cloud confirmed Monday.

He had been battling esophageal cancer, according to a statement from Universal Music.

Deke Richards was the leader of the Motown songwriting, arranging and producing team known as The Corporation, which was comprised Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, Alphonzo Mizell and Freddie Perren.

Richards was involved in writing and producing many Jackson 5 hits, according to a release from Universal Music. 

Those songs included the Jackson 5's first three No. 1 hits - 'I Want You Back,' 'ABC,' and 'The Love You Save.'

Speaking to the Detroit News after Michael Jackson's death in 2009, Richards said that the King of Pop was a 'true genius.'

He told the paper: 'Whatever it took to be able to take and mold and help to put together that piece of clay, I'll tell you something, it was like your hands were guided by God.'

He also co-wrote 'Love Child' for Diana Ross & The Supremes, as well Ross' solo 'I'm Still Waiting.'

Other recording artists for whom Richards produced or wrote songs include Bobby Darin, The Four Tops and Martha Reeves & the Vandellas.

He is survived by his wife, Joan Lussier, a brother and two nephews.

SOURCE: mailonline