Smokey Robinson

Smokey Robinson, born in 1940, popular rhythm-and-blues (R&B) singer and songwriter, known for his romantic lyrics and his passionate, high-reaching voice. A leading member of the Motown vocal group the Miracles from 1958 to 1971, Robinson was one of the most influential singers and songwriters in popular music during the 1960s and 1970s.

William “Smokey” Robinson was born in Detroit, Michigan. At the age of 18, he formed a vocal group, which later became known as the Miracles, with high school friends Ronnie White, Pete Moore, Bobby Rogers, and Rogers's sister Claudette, whom Robinson later married. The group so impressed Motown owner Berry Gordy that he signed them to a recording contract in 1960.

The Miracles' first hit record was “Shop Around” (1961), an R&B song recorded for Tamla, one of the Motown Record Company labels. It was a phenomenal success, reaching number one on the Billboard magazine R&B charts and number two on the Billboard pop music charts, and helping to launch Gordy's fledgling music studio. In the decade that followed, the Miracles produced a highly popular body of work, including the song “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” (1962); hard-edged dance tunes such as “Mickey's Monkey” (1963) and “Going to a Go-Go” (1965); and the dreamy songs “More Love” (1967) and “I Second That Emotion” (1967). Perhaps even more enduring are the ballads “Ooo Baby Baby” (1965), “The Tracks of My Tears” (1965), and “Baby, Baby Don't Cry” (1969). In 1967 the group became known as Smokey Robinson and the Miracles.

During the 1960s Robinson also wrote and produced classics for other Motown artists. “My Girl” was written for the vocal group the Temptations; as were most of the Temptations' early songs. Robinson's “You Beat Me to the Punch” (1962) and “My Guy” (1964) were written for soul singer Mary Wells, and he wrote “Ain't That Peculiar” (1965) for soul singer Marvin Gaye. Robinson's songwriting skills were admired by many popular musicians, including folk-rock artist Bob Dylan. Robinson's songs have endured, later recorded by many pop artists, including British rock group the Beatles, soul singers Aretha Franklin and Luther Vandross, and popular singers Linda Ronstadt and Kim Carnes.

Robinson left the Miracles in 1972 to pursue a solo music career. He released the highly regarded album Quiet Storm in 1975. In the 1980s Robinson continued to release a stream of dreamy romantic songs, including “Cruisin’” (1979), written with longtime collaborator and guitarist Marv Tarplin. Robinson's other notable hits include “Being with You” (1981) and “Just to See Her” (1987; Grammy Award, 1988). Robinson won a 1990 Grammy Legends Award. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.