Paul Justman, the accomplished director behind the critically acclaimed documentary “Standing in the Shadows of Motown” and several iconic music videos, has tragically passed away at the age of 74. The news of his death was confirmed by his brother, Seth Justman, keyboard player for the J. Geils Band, in an obituary published today by The New York Times.
Unveiling the Unsung Heroes of Motown
“Standing in the Shadows of Motown,” which garnered numerous accolades including the Best Non-Fiction Film of 2002 by the New York Film Critics and two Grammy Awards, shed light on the incredible story of the Funk Brothers. These legendary studio musicians, who were relatively unknown at the time, played on countless Motown hits. The documentary finally gave these talented individuals the recognition they deserved.
The film paid tribute to musicians such as James Jamerson, Jack Ashford, Bob Babbitt, Joe Hunter, Uriel Jones, Joe Messina, Eddie Willis, Richard “Pistol” Allen, Benny “Papa Zita” Benjamin, Eddie “Bongo” Brown, Johnny Griffith, Earl Van Dyke, and Robert White. These unsung heroes lent their musical prowess to chart-topping songs by iconic artists such as the Temptations, the Supremes, the Miracles, the Four Tops, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Mary Wells, among many others.
While “Standing in the Shadows of Motown” stands as Justman’s most well-known feature film, he also directed other music-related documentaries. These included “The Doors: Live in Europe 1968” (1990) and “Deep Purple: Heavy Metal Pioneers” (1991). Justman’s impressive body of work showcased his dedication to documenting the rich history of influential musicians and their impact on the industry.
Before venturing into feature-length documentaries, Justman gained recognition as a director of music videos during the early years of MTV. One of his most notable works was the music video for “Centerfold” by the J. Geils Band, a chart-topping hit in 1982. The track, written by Justman’s brother Seth Justman, dominated the Hot 100 chart for an impressive six weeks. Justman’s talent for capturing the essence of a song through visual storytelling was evident in other music videos he directed, including J. Geils’ follow-up single “Freeze Frame” (1982), The Cars’ “Shake It Up” (1981) and “Since You’re Gone” (1982), Rick Springfield’s “Don’t Talk To Strangers” and “What Kind of Fool Am I” (both 1982), and Diana Ross’ “Muscles” (1982).
Paul Justman is survived by his wife Saundra Jordan, his brother Seth Justman, and his sister Peggy Suttle Kligerman. His contribution to the world of music and film will be remembered as he leaves behind a legacy that celebrates the unsung heroes of Motown and captures the essence of timeless musical moments.