Smokey Robinson Biography, Photos and Posters

Smokey Robinson

Biography

Born: February 19, 1940
City and Country of Origin: Detroit, Michigan
Music Training:
Awards: 1988 inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; Grammy 1987 Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male, "Just To See Her"
Top Recordings: "Baby That's Backatcha," "Cruisin'," "Let Me Be The Clock," "Being With You" "Just to See Her," "One Heartbeat"
Smokey Robinson Biography: William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. got his nickname for his love of Western movies. He was one of the primary figures in the Motown family being second only to founder Berry Gordy, acting as vice president from 1959-1990.

Robinson founded a group called The Five Chimes in 1955. The group consisted of Ronnie White, and Northern High School classmates Pete Moore, Clarence Dawson, and James Grice. By 1957 the group had evolved and changed its name to The Matadors with Bobby Rogers and Claudette Rogers in place of Dawson and Grice. With Robinson as lead singer the group made the rounds of various Detroit venues. During this time he met songwriter Berry Gordy, Jr. who co-wrote the song "Got A Job" an answer to The Silhouettes' hit single "Get A Job." The group was renamed The Miracles and recorded songs for both End Records and Chess Records.

Berry Gordy founded Tamla Records in 1959, but quickly changed the name to Motown. The Miracles were one of the first acts that Gordy signed to a contract. He quickly tightened his relationship with the aspiring young singer/songwriter making him vice president of Motown Records, a title he held as long as Gordy remained witht he company. The 1960 recording "Shop Around" would become the groups first hit single reaching number 1 on the R&B charts. A slew of hits would follow including You've Really Got a Hold on Me" (1962), "Mickey's Monkey" (1963), "Ooo Baby Baby (1965), "The Tracks of My Tears" (1965), "Going to a Go-Go" (1965), "More Love" (1967), and "I Second That Emotion" (1967).

Besides singing and writing hits for his own group, Robinson also wrote songs for other Motown acts; Mary Wells' 1964 hit "My Guy," acting as the primary songwriter for the Temptations he penned "The Way You Do the Things You Do," "My Girl," "Since I Lost My Baby," and "Get Ready." He also wrote "Still Water (Love)" for The Four Tops, "Don't Mess With Bill" for The Marvelettes, "When I'm Gone" for Brenda Holloway, "Ain't That Peculiar" and "I'll Be Doggone" for Marvin Gaye, and "First I Look at the Purse" for The Contours. Robinson, whom Bob Dylan described as "America's greatest living poet" wrote over 4,000 songs during his 50 year career.

He married fellow Miracle Claudette and had a son and daughter with her. After 1965 albums were released as "Smokey Robinson & the Miracles." By 1969 the groups appeal began to falter and Robinson decided to leave the Miracles to spend more time with his family and focus on his job as vice president of Motown. Strangely enough it was at this time that the groups 1966 recording of "The Tears of a Clown" was released and became a number 1 hit in both the U.S. and the U.K. This caused Robinson to reconsider and he stayed with the group through July 16, 1972 when he and his wife gave their final performances with the MiraclesCarter Barron Amphitheater in Washington, DC where Robinson introduced Billy Griffin as the new lead singer. The group continued to record and even had a number 1 hit with "Love Machine," in 1976.

In 1973 Robinson released his first solo album Smokey. His first hit single, "Sweet Harmony" was dedicated to the Miracles. He reached the top of the R&B charts in 75 with "Baby That's Backatcha." Other Robinson hits include "Cruisin'" (1979), "Being With You" (a U.K. #1 hit) (1981), "Tell Me Tomorrow" (1982), and "Ebony Eyes." During the 80s his career was marred by his cocaine addiction and the failure of his marriage. In 1986 Smokey and Claudette were divorced. By 1987 Robinson had overcome his addiction and sought to revitalize his career with hits "Just To See Her" and "One Heartbeat." In 1988 he published his autobiography. When Motown was taken over by MCA in 1988 Robinson resigned his position as vice president and left the company for good after one last recording Love, Smokey in 1990.

After leaving Motown he recorded an album for SBK Records in 1991 Double Good Everything. He returned to Motown, which was now owned by Universal Music Group, after 8 years and recorded Intimate in 1999. In recent years Robinson has remained active touring periodically and has recorded a gospel LP Food for the Spirit in 2004. An album of early 20th century standards, Timeless Love, is slated for release in 2006. In May of 2006 Howard University conferred on Robinson the degree of Doctor of Music, honoris causa.

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