Tag Archives: classic-rock

Artists/Singers, music, soul music world

Black Music Artist of the Month

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A lot can be said about the genius of Smokey Robinson — the green-eyed bandit, Motown’s poetic heart, singer, songwriter, producer, executive, cultural architect. Here’s a biographical sketch of his life, career, history and awards.

William “Smokey” Robinson Jr. was born on February 19, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan. From an early age, he was immersed in music — gospel, doo-wop, jazz — all of which shaped a sensibility that would become central to the Motown sound. While still in high school, he formed a vocal group that evolved into The Miracles, which became Berry Gordy’s first major act and one of the foundational groups of Motown Records.

With The Miracles, Smokey composed, produced and led a string of classic hits: “Shop Around” (Motown’s first R&B #1 and first million-selling hit), “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me”, “Ooo Baby Baby”, “The Tracks of My Tears”, “Going to a Go-Go”, “More Love”, “Tears of a Clown” (co-written with Stevie Wonder), “I Second That Emotion”, among others. These songs combined lyrical depth, emotional subtlety, and hooks that have lasted generations.

In 1972, Smokey left The Miracles to embark on a solo career. His solo work continued to produce major hits such as “Cruisin’”, “Being With You”, and “Just to See Her”. His album A Quiet Storm (1975) became so influential that its title spawned a whole radio format (“quiet storm”) devoted to smooth, romantic soul — a testament to his creativity and impact.

Beyond performing, Smokey played major behind-the-scenes roles. He served as vice president of Motown Records, was a talent scout, writer and producer not only for The Miracles but for many Motown artists — Mary Wells, Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, Brenda Holloway and more. His pen and ear helped craft some of the most enduring songs in American popular music.

His awards and honors are numerous. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and into the Songwriters Hall of Fame soon after. He received the National Medal of Arts, Kennedy Center Honors, the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, an honorary doctorate from Howard University, and many lifetime achievement awards. His song “Just to See Her” won him his first Grammy Award (Best Male R&B Vocal Performance) in 1988. He has been given accolades for both his solo work and his contributions with The Miracles.

Smokey Robinson remains rightly celebrated for his lush high tenor voice, his ability to capture both joy and sadness in melody and lyric, and for helping to build a musical legacy that transformed Black music and American popular culture. He is often called “Mr. Motown” — not to diminish the dozens of talents involved, but to recognize his singular role in creating, shaping, and maintaining that legacy.

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