-->

• Smokey Robinson is a Grammy Award-winning soul and R&B Singer-Songwriter, producer and founding member of The Miracles. From 1961 to 1988, Robison served as Vice President of Motown Records.

  Robinson spoke at the memorial service with Michael Jackson on July 7, 2009.

• Fast Facts

  1. Genre: R&B, Soul
  2. Name: William Robinson, Jr.
  3. Born: February 19, 1940
  4. Hometown: Detroit, Michigan
  5. Years active: 1955 - Present
  6. Labels: Motown, Universal
  7. Member of The Miracles: 1958 - 1972
  8. Motown Vice President: 1961 to 1988
  9. 1988: Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
  10. 37 Top-40 Hits
  11. Wrote songs for Motown artists including The Temptations and Marvin Gaye
  12. 2009: Appeared as a mentor on American IdolBillboard: Smokey Robinson Gives Adam Lambert Standing Ovation On 'Idol' (March 26, 2009)

• Background

  In the early 1950s, Smokey Robinson formed a group called the Matadors who later became known as The Miracles. In 1960, Robison's Miracles gave Motown their first #1 hit with the song "Shop Around". After a string of hit songs, both with The Miracles and as a songwriter for other artists, Robinson left the group in 1972 to began a successful solo career. His last album Timeless Love, was released in 2006.

• American Idol

  On March 26, 2009, Robinson appeared as a mentor on American Idol's salute to Motown. During the show, contestant Adam Lambert received a standing ovation from Robinson for his performance of The Miracles song "The Tracks of My Tears."Billboard: Smokey Robinson Gives Adam Lambert Standing Ovation On 'Idol' (March 26, 2009)

• Solo Albums

  • 1973: Smokey
  • 1974: Pure Smokey
  • 1975: A Quiet Storm
  • 1976: Smokey's Family Robinson
  • 1977: Deep in My Soul
  • 1977: Big Time Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • 1978: Love Breeze
  • 1978: Smokin'
  • 1979: Where There's Smoke...
  • 1980: Warm Thoughts
  • 1981: Being With You
  • 1982: Yes It's You Lady
  • 1983: Touch the Sky
  • 1984: Essar
  • 1986: Smoke Signals
  • 1987: One Heartbeat
  • 1990: Love, Smokey
  • 1991: Double Good Everything
  • 1999: Intimate
  • 1999: Our Very Best Christmas
  • 2004: Food for the Spirit
  • 2006: Timeless Love

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Motown Records | The Temptations | Sam Cooke | Marvin Gaye | Stevie Wonder | Al Green | Luther Vandross | Curtis Mayfield | Aretha Franklin | Jackie Wilson | American Idol | 2009 Grammy Performances | Smokey Robinson Grammy Performance | Jamie Foxx Ne-Yo Grammy Performance

Categories

• View History
• Discuss on the Message Board
• Embed this Page
• Share this page