Henry R. Cosby, born on May 12, 1928, in Detroit, Michigan, was a prominent American songwriter, arranger, record producer, and musician, renowned for his significant contributions to Motown Records. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, playing alongside jazz saxophonist Cannonball Adderley in the military band. Upon returning to Detroit, Cosby joined pianist Joe Hunter's jazz band and played tenor saxophone in various jazz clubs and recording sessions.

When Berry Gordy founded Motown Records in 1959, Cosby became a pivotal member of the Funk Brothers, the studio musicians who played on numerous Motown hits. Cosby was instrumental in shaping the Motown sound, collaborating with artists such as The Supremes, The Temptations, Jr. Walker, and Edwin Starr. He is best known for his work with Stevie Wonder, co-writing and producing many of Wonder's early hits, including "Fingertips," "My Cherie Amour," "I Was Made to Love Her," "Uptight (Everything's Alright)," and "For Once in My Life."

Cosby co-wrote and co-produced several No. 1 hits, such as Stevie Wonder's "Fingertips," The Supremes' "Love Child," and Smokey Robinson & the Miracles' "The Tears of a Clown." After Motown moved to Los Angeles in the early 1970s, Cosby worked with Fantasy Records and contributed to projects for artists like Rance Allen and Blood, Sweat and Tears. He also produced one of the first recordings by Prince, "Be My Fortune Teller."

Henry Cosby passed away on January 22, 2002, in Royal Oak, Michigan, leaving behind a legacy as a key figure in the development of the Motown sound.