Singer, Songwriter, Producer. He was an American music artist, songwriter and composer. He was best known for producing hits for other artists including Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Maxwell, Minnie Riperton and Marvin Gaye, co-producing Marvin Gay's album, I Want You. Born and raised in Detroit, he joined Motown in the late 1960's and by the early 1970's he was one of the label's key writers. His first major composition was the Isley Brothers' Got To Have You Back. He also helped Michael Jackson launch his solo career. In 1971 he collaborated with Arthur "T-Boy" Ross, younger brother of Diana Ross, one of the songs they wrote was I Wanna Be Where You Are recorded by Michael Jackson for his album, Got To Be There. In 1972 he released his self-titled debut album Leon Ware, and in 1972 he released his second album Musical Massage. Unfortunately, while he was making hits for others, his own singing career often suffered. Despite recording a handful of critically acclaimed albums for Motown and Elektra during the 1970's and 1980's, he remained underappreciated by many outside the music industry. During the 1990's he sporadically recorded, but at the end of that decade began a new period of productivity and a more concentrated effort to establish his solo performing career. He released Candlelight to good response and followed it with Love's Drippin' and Deeper over the next couple of years. In 2005 he released A Kiss In The Sand on his own Kitchen Records and he followed it three years later with Moon Ride on Stax Records. In 2015 he released the album Sigh overseas. As he reached his later years, his music legacy continued to grow and he remained active working on his own music and that of others. He was presented with SoulTracks Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012. He died from complications of prostate cancer.