Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Joe Messina

Joe Messina (December 13, 1928 – April 4, 2022) was an American guitarist renowned for his role as a core member of , Records' elite studio band that shaped the sound of the label's iconic hits during the and 1970s. Dubbed the "white brother with soul" for his seamless integration into the predominantly Black ensemble, Messina's subtle work—often limited to strategic chord stabs on the backbeat—provided the propulsive groove essential to 's danceable, crossover appeal. Born in , , to Italian-American parents Mary and Jasper Messina, he grew up in a city rich with musical influences and attended Central High School before transferring to the prestigious to study music. A self-taught enthusiast, Messina honed his skills playing in local Detroit clubs and on the children's TV show in the 1950s, while also taking on commercial jingle work and gigs with jazz ensembles. His early career bridged with the emerging rock 'n' roll scene, setting the stage for his transition to session work. Messina joined Motown in the early 1960s after being recruited by label founder Berry Gordy, becoming one of the three primary guitarists in the Funk Brothers alongside Eddie Willis and Robert White—affectionately known as the "guitar trio." Over the next two decades, he contributed to hundreds of recordings, including landmark tracks like Martha and the Vandellas' "Dancing in the Street" (1964), the Four Tops' "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)" (1965), and the Temptations' "The Way You Do the Things You Do" (1964). His economical style emphasized feel over flash, anchoring the band's innovative arrangements under producers like Holland–Dozier–Holland and Norman Whitfield. In later years, Messina's contributions gained wider recognition through the 2002 documentary Standing in the Shadows of Motown, which spotlighted the unsung and featured his performances; the film's soundtrack earned him a Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album in 2003. The group collectively received a in 2004 and a star on the in 2013, while Messina was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2007. He continued performing sporadically until his death at age 93 in , survived by his son Joel, daughter Janice, four grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren; his wife Josie predeceased him in 2009.

Early Life

Childhood in Detroit

Joe Messina was born on December 13, 1928, in , , to Italian-American parents Jasper and Mary Messina. Messina grew up in a working-class Italian-American community in during the late and , a time when the city attracted thousands of Italian immigrants seeking opportunities in its booming auto industry and factories. These neighborhoods fostered tight-knit family networks amid the challenges of industrial labor and urban growth. Family life emphasized cultural traditions, including music; in his teens, he played mostly Italian music, influenced by his heritage and household environment. The pre-World War II era in provided a rich cultural backdrop for Messina's childhood, with the city's emerging and scenes thriving in venues across Black Bottom and Paradise Valley. Neighborhood events and local gatherings exposed young residents like Messina to diverse sounds, from orchestras at ballrooms like the Graystone to street-level performances, laying the groundwork for the musical vibrancy that would define the city. His father's ownership of a Gibson L7 guitar further embedded music within the family dynamic during these formative years.

Introduction to Music and Education

Messina developed an early interest in music during his youth in , where he taught himself to play the guitar using his father's Gibson L7 instrument. This self-directed learning laid the groundwork for his technical proficiency on the instrument. He initially attended Central High School in before transferring to , known for its strong music , to pursue formal studies in the field. At Cass Tech, Messina engaged in music classes and extracurricular activities that further refined his skills and exposed him to jazz influences prevalent in the city's cultural landscape. In his late teens, Messina chose to leave high school without graduating, committing fully to as a career path. This decision enabled him to participate in early amateur performances at local venues, building practical experience and confidence in his abilities before transitioning to opportunities.

Professional Career

Jazz Beginnings and Early Gigs

Messina entered the professional scene in the late , performing in Detroit's vibrant club circuit as part of small combos, where he quickly established himself as a versatile capable of navigating various ensemble roles. These gigs in local venues allowed him to immerse himself in the city's thriving jazz community, drawing on his self-taught foundations to contribute fluid, supportive lines that complemented horn sections and soloists. By the early 1950s, Messina had advanced to the studio band in , affiliated with , which elevated his profile through broadcast performances and introduced him to a broader audience. This role provided steady work in a professional setting, blending live with the demands of production and offering national exposure via network affiliates. Messina's television tenure included notable collaborations with visiting jazz luminaries, particularly on the late-night program Soup's On, hosted by from 1953 to 1961, where he backed artists such as , , , and during their Detroit appearances in the 1950s. He also performed alongside local jazz stalwarts like in club and studio settings throughout the decade, contributing to recordings and gigs that captured the city's bebop energy from 1950 to 1958. Influenced by bebop pioneers, Messina developed a style rooted in the genre's rhythmic complexity and harmonic sophistication, while incorporating hard bop elements to enhance rhythm section dynamics in both small groups and larger ensembles. His approach emphasized precise chord voicings and improvisational adaptability, allowing him to seamlessly integrate jazz phrasing into supportive roles without overshadowing lead voices.

Motown Era and the Funk Brothers

In 1959, Berry Gordy recruited Joe Messina to join the Funk Brothers, Motown Records' in-house studio band, where he served as one of the primary guitarists. Messina's jazz background enabled him to adapt quickly to the demands of Motown's rhythm and blues production, blending precise chord progressions with energetic grooves. Over the next 13 years, he contributed to hundreds of recordings at Hitsville U.S.A., Motown's Detroit headquarters, often working in all-night sessions alongside other Funk Brothers members like bassist James Jamerson and drummer Benny Benjamin. Messina's guitar work became a cornerstone of the Motown sound, earning him the nickname "white brother with soul" for his ability to infuse jazz precision into soulful R&B arrangements. He frequently employed techniques such as strumming chords on the backbeats—the second and fourth beats of the measure—using a equipped with heavy-gauge flatwound strings for a sharp, percussive tone that drove the tracks forward. His contributions appear on iconic hits including "" by (1964), "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)" by the (1965), and "" by and (1967). These recordings exemplified his role in crafting the tight, infectious grooves that defined Motown's commercial success. Working anonymously in Studio A—nicknamed the Snakepit—Messina supported a roster of stars such as , , and , often recording multiple tracks in a single day under 's assembly-line approach to music production. The musicians received salaried pay rather than royalties, allowing to maintain its rapid output while keeping ' talents behind the scenes. This era peaked in the late 1960s, but Messina's time with the band ended in 1972 when relocated to , prompting most Detroit-based session players, including Messina, to stay behind.

Later Career and Innovations

Following Motown's relocation to in 1972, Messina took a 30-year hiatus from performing on guitar, remaining in to prioritize family life and pursue non-musical endeavors such as operating a carwash and a jewelry business. During this period, he maintained some engagement with music by self-teaching the harmonica. Messina's return to the guitar in the early 2000s was catalyzed by his involvement in the 2002 documentary Standing in the Shadows of , which highlighted ' contributions and featured him prominently through interviews and performances. This revival led to reunion tours with surviving Funk Brothers members, including national performances that reintroduced their Motown sound to new audiences. In the 2000s, Messina developed the Interval Study Method, an innovative guitar designed to enhance musicianship through interval-based learning via chromatic and diatonic scales, emphasizing and creative for and beyond. The method's structure involves systematic exercises that build proficiency in recognizing and applying intervals across scales, fostering a deeper conceptual grasp of without reliance on traditional chord progressions. He documented this approach in the book Interval Development Study for the Creative Jazz Musician, which became a resource for educators and players seeking alternative techniques. Throughout the 2000s and into the 2010s, Messina resumed performing with reunion gigs alongside and contributed to local music sessions, blending his roots with occasional R&B influences. In 2013, he participated in the ' ceremony by viewing the live unveiling from his home due to health constraints, marking a collective recognition of their enduring impact.

Personal Life and Legacy

Family and Personal Relationships

Joe Messina was married to Josie Messina, whom he deeply adored and personally cared for during her battle with until her death in 2009. Their partnership was marked by close companionship, with the couple often described as inseparable; Josie frequently accompanied him to reunion performances with , traveling in a despite her health challenges. The Messinas raised their family in the Detroit suburbs, including a longtime residence in Warren, before later settling in . Messina and Josie had two children: a son, Joel, and a daughter, Janice Coppa. Joel provided care for his father in Northville during Messina's final years, while the extended to four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. After leaving in the mid-1970s, Messina embraced a low-profile lifestyle, the public eye and major touring opportunities with artists like and to prioritize and local pursuits. He owned and operated a and a jewelry store in the area, maintaining a modest routine that included enjoying simple pleasures like eating snails on his back porch. Messina engaged in community activities by teaching guitar to local aspiring musicians, such as a young Bruce Miller, and hosted informal jam sessions at home. In his personal relationships, Messina fostered enduring friendships with fellow members, particularly guitarists Robert White and "Chank" Willis, with whom he shared a deep camaraderie forged during their studio years.

Death and Tributes

Joe Messina died on April 4, 2022, at the age of 93 in , from complications related to after a 12-year with the condition. He passed away at the home of his son, Joel Messina. Funeral arrangements included a public memorial visitation on April 7, 2022, from 1 to 8 p.m. at in , with no formal service held; a private family gathering took place in the area. News of Messina's death prompted widespread media coverage, including obituaries in major outlets such as , which highlighted his foundational role in hits like "My Girl" and "The Tracks of My Tears," and , which praised his understated style that defined the label's sound. Tributes came from figures, including CEO of the Motown Museum Robin Terry, who described Messina as a cornerstone of the Motown legacy and noted his early recruitment by , and arranger Paul Riser, who called him a "brother, and mentor" whose warmth and precision influenced generations of musicians. In , the Motown Museum issued a statement mourning Messina as one of the original and honoring his donation of a guitar to its collection, while local coverage in the emphasized his enduring ties to the city's music scene through commemorative reflections on his career.

Awards, Recognition, and Influence

Joe Messina received significant recognition as a key member of , the renowned house band. In 2003, the group collectively earned two for the soundtrack to the documentary Standing in the Shadows of Motown, including Best Compilation Soundtrack for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media. The following year, in 2004, were honored with a , acknowledging their foundational contributions to American music. Further accolades followed, including the Funk Brothers' induction into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville in 2007. In 2013, the group received a star on the , cementing their enduring impact on . These honors highlighted Messina's role in shaping the Motown sound, which underpinned countless hits and influenced generations of musicians. Messina's innovative guitar techniques have profoundly shaped players across jazz, R&B, and genres. His rhythmic, chord-focused style—often employing a for crisp, soulful accents—served as a for session guitarists seeking economy and groove in ensemble settings. In post-2002 documentary interviews and music retrospectives, artists and peers have cited his understated yet pivotal contributions, such as on tracks like "," as inspirational for blending with R&B drive. Messina's extended to younger musicians, fostering a legacy of technical precision and collaborative spirit in the local scene. A cornerstone of Messina's educational legacy is the Interval Study Method, an innovative technique he developed that leverages chromatic and diatonic scales to enhance and for guitarists. This method, detailed in his instructional books, emphasizes interval recognition to build creative fluency, particularly in contexts. As of 2025, it remains integrated into programs, including curricula at institutions like Moosewood Music, and is accessible through online resources and PDFs for self-study. Its adoption in Detroit-area workshops underscores Messina's commitment to passing on -rooted skills to emerging R&B and players. Posthumously, Messina's influence continues to be celebrated in music histories and commemorations. In 2023, amid the label's ongoing 60th-plus anniversary reflections, his contributions were highlighted in retrospectives on ' role in defining guitar techniques. Updated tributes in 2024 publications and events, such as Bass Day at the Museum honoring related members, reinforced his foundational status, with no diminishment in recognition by 2025.

References

  1. [1]
    Joe Messina obituary | Motown records | The Guardian
    Apr 5, 2022 · Joe Messina, who has died aged 93. A jazz-trained musician, Messina often did little more on a Motown record than play a chord on every backbeat.Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  2. [2]
    Funk Brothers' Joe Messina, integral to Motown sound, dies at 93
    Apr 4, 2022 · Joe Messina, a jazz guitarist whose work with the Funk Brothers helped build the bedrock of the Motown sound, died Monday in Northville.
  3. [3]
    Joe Messina, Guitarist for Motown's Prolific House Band, Dead at 93
    Apr 5, 2022 · Born and raised in Detroit, Messina began his career as a jazz guitarist in his hometown, doing live and studio gigs, commercial work, and ...
  4. [4]
    Joe Messina, Motown guitarist and a member of the Funk Brothers ...
    Apr 4, 2022 · Messina was born in Detroit in 1928 to Jasper and Mary Messina. He attended Central High School before switching to Cass Tech for the music ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  5. [5]
    Remembering the Funk Brother's Joe Messina - Hour Detroit ...
    Jul 18, 2022 · As a member of Motown's Funk Brothers, Joe Messina helped lay the foundation for some of the most iconic and influential recordings pop music ...
  6. [6]
    Joe Messina, Guitarist with Motown's Funk Brothers, Dead at 93
    During the '60s, his guitar work could be heard on such hits as Martha and the Vandellas' “Dancing in the Street,” the Four Tops' “I Can't Help Myself,” the ...
  7. [7]
    Joe Messina, Revered Guitarist With Motown's Funk Brothers, Dies ...
    Apr 5, 2022 · Joe Messina, one of the guitarists in the A-list of Motown musicians who became known as the Funk Brothers, has died aged 93.<|control11|><|separator|>
  8. [8]
    https://www.grammy.com/artists/joe-messina/5012
  9. [9]
    Joe Messina, Motown Funk Brothers Guitarist Dies at 93 - Billboard
    Apr 5, 2022 · Born in Detroit, Messina took up guitar as a youth, playing his father's Gibson L7. He dropped out of high school to play music, performing in ...
  10. [10]
    Remembering 20 Italian Icons We Said Goodbye To In 2022 ...
    Born in Newark, New Jersey, Liotta was adopted by parents of Italian and Scottish descent. ... Joe Messina ... Italian American and a hometown hero in the Detroit ...
  11. [11]
    Detroit - Michigan - Mapping Inequality
    They also gave the majority of neighborhoods with Jewish, Polish, or Italian immigrant residents, and working-class residents in general, C or D ratings.
  12. [12]
    The “Little Italies” of Michigan | jovina cooks - WordPress.com
    May 10, 2013 · Statistics show that in 1890 there were only 338 Italians living in Detroit and downriver and, by 1920, the number had swelled to 29,047. In ...
  13. [13]
    http://www.standingintheshadowsofmotown.com/funk/page1.htm
  14. [14]
    Before Motown: A History of Jazz and Blues in Detroit
    Aug 7, 2015 · While Detroit's jazz scene was more widespread, the city's blues scene was localized to a few specific areas, most notably on Hastings Street.
  15. [15]
    Backstage at the Graystone | University of Michigan Heritage Project
    From the early 1920s to the late 1950s, it stomped and swayed with the music of Bix Beiderbecke, Fletcher Henderson, Count Basie and other jazz luminaries.
  16. [16]
    Joe Messina - Vintage Guitar® magazine
    Messina studied music at a technical high school in Detroit before playing jazz professionally in the city's clubs, starting in the late 1940s. A few years ...
  17. [17]
    The Funk Brothers and Motown Jazz - JazzTimes
    Oct 18, 2002 · ... musicians second ... Tommy Flanagan, Kenny Burrell and Elvin Jones. Guitarist Joe Messina played TV dates with Miles Davis and Charlie Parker ...
  18. [18]
    JOE MESSINA DIES… - Soul and Jazz and Funk
    Apr 5, 2022 · Born in Detroit in 1928, Messina learned to play guitar in his teens and his first gigs were with ABC TV studio band where he supported a who's ...Missing: childhood Italian<|control11|><|separator|>
  19. [19]
    Original Funk Brothers Guitarist Joe Messina Dead At 93 - Stereogum
    Apr 5, 2022 · ... Messina died yesterday in Detroit after a 12-year battle with kidney disease. He was 93. Messina, a Detroit native, started playing guitar ...
  20. [20]
    Motown's iconic Funk Brother Joe Messina dies at 93 - SoulTracks
    Apr 4, 2022 · Messina was a teen guitar prodigy at Detroit's Cass Tech high school, and as a young man became part of the ABC television network studio band, ...Missing: biography early self- taught
  21. [21]
    Joe Messina, Funk Brothers guitarist on Motown hits, dies at 93
    Apr 7, 2022 · Messina stayed in Detroit. He stopped performing and opened a carwash and jewelry business before returning to music 30 years later. He ...Missing: hiatus | Show results with:hiatus
  22. [22]
    Funk Brothers Guitarist Joe Messina Dead at 93
    Apr 5, 2022 · Joe Messina, one of the original guitarists for Motown Records' in-house backing band the Funk Brothers, died on Monday at the age of 93.
  23. [23]
    Soupy Sales, jazz legend? - Dead Like Jazz
    Feb 13, 2013 · Personnel included Joe Otto and Hank Trevision, but the notable members were Joe Messina and Jack Brokensha. ... Locals here know that Messina is ...Missing: collaborations | Show results with:collaborations
  24. [24]
    Funk Brothers receive star on Hollywood Walk of Fame - USA Today
    Mar 21, 2013 · Ailing guitarist Joe Messina watched the ceremony online at home in Michigan; A Los Angeles car dealer spearheaded the drive to raise funds ...
  25. [25]
    The Funk Brothers - Hollywood Walk of Fame
    Mar 21, 2013 · Renowned Motown musicians The Funk Brothers were honored today, on March 21, 2013 with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
  26. [26]
    Public viewing set for late Motown guitarist Joe Messina
    Apr 5, 2022 · The viewing will be held 1-8 p.m. Thursday at Harry J Will Funeral Home, 37000 W. Six Mile in Livonia. More: Funk Brothers guitarist Joe Messina ...Missing: arrangements | Show results with:arrangements<|control11|><|separator|>
  27. [27]
    Inductees - Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum
    His studio work has gained him international recognition and four Grammys (including the Grammy for Technical Achievement in 1998, at the time making him one of ...
  28. [28]
    The Funk Brothers | Classic Motown Artists
    They are the Motown studio musicians, helping to create “the Sound of Young America” in the basement of Hitsville USA And they are unsung heroes, until the 21 ...
  29. [29]
    The Semper Method - Moosewood Music
    We study intervals from a wonderful ear training book by Joe Messina, Motown Funk Brother and Grammy award-winning guitarist.
  30. [30]
    10 Unsung Heroes Of Motown - The Funk Brothers - GRAMMY.com
    To celebrate Motown's 60th anniversary ahead of Motown 60: A GRAMMY Celebration airing on CBS on April 21, we're highlighting 10 of the label's secret weapons.<|control11|><|separator|>
  31. [31]
    Motown 25: How an Anniversary Reshaped American Music
    May 22, 2023 · 40 years ago this month, Motown 25 wasn't just a showcase for one of the most influential labels in American music; it would also send one of their homegrown ...