Legendary Motown session pianist Joe Hunter of the Funk Brothers, who played on such classic hits as Marvin Gaye's "Pride And Joy" and Martha and the Vandellas' "Heat Wave," died on Friday (February 2nd) at his Detroit home at age 79. The Detroit News reported that the exact cause of death has yet to be determined, but his son said that he was a diabetic and that it appeared that he was reaching for medicine at the time of his death. Hunter had recently returned from a European tour with fellow Funk Brother Jack Ashford.

Hunter started his career by performing with such R&B legends as Jackie Wilson and Hank Ballard and the Midnighters, before being hired by Motown founder Berry Gordy Jr. to accompany the Miracles. Hunter went on to become Gordy's first hire for the group of session musicians later dubbed the Funk Brothers.

 Former Motown bassist Bob Babbitt told The Detroit Free Press that, "As far as keyboards go, he was probably the one that really developed that style and made it popular."

Funk Brothers drummer Uriel Jones said that Hunter was thrilled by the acclaim the Funk Brothers received from the 2000 Grammy-award winning documentary on the musicians, Standing In The Shadows Of Motown: "He enjoyed all that to the fullest. He enjoyed it even more now than earlier in his life."

Bruce Resnikoff, president of Universal Music Enterprises, the parent label of Motown, issued a statement, saying that, "Joe Hunter's piano and stellar leadership helped birth the 'Motown Sound.' You can't miss Joe's piano on those great early hits. The first of the Funk Brothers, his terrific riffs and easy-going musicianship will live forever." Hunter is survived by his son, Joe Hunter Jr.; his daughter, Michelle, and three grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are still pending.