American songwriter and producer (born May 12, 1940, in Harlem, New York - died September 16, 2008, in Los Angeles) best known for his work with Berry Gordy's Motown label during the 1960s. He is credited as being one of the creators of the Motown Sound, and instrumental in the development of psychedelic soul.

In 1973, Whitfield left Motown and created Whitfield Records, garnering chart success with Rose Royce, who started out in Edwin Starr's backing group. He won a Grammy Award in 1976 for his work on the Car Wash film soundtrack. He retired from music in the late 1980s.

His final months were spent at Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, undergoing treatment for diabetes and other ailments.