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Biography
Smokey Robinson Biography
Smokey Robinson
🎤 Smokey Robinson – The King of Motown Soul
Smokey Robinson is a legendary American singer, songwriter, and producer whose voice and lyrics helped define the sound of Motown. With his velvet falsetto and poetic lyricism, he’s been serenading the world since the late 1950s—and he’s still going strong.
🌟 About Smokey Robinson
Born William “Smokey” Robinson Jr. on February 19, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan, Smokey rose to fame as the frontman of The Miracles, one of Motown’s earliest and most beloved groups. Under the mentorship of Berry Gordy, Smokey not only became a chart-topping performer but also one of Motown’s most prolific and respected songwriters.
He penned timeless hits for himself and other Motown stars, helping launch the careers of artists like The Temptations, Mary Wells, and Marvin Gaye. His soulful voice and poetic storytelling have earned him a spot among the greatest figures in music history.
Read more at Smokey Robinson's official website
🎶 Genres & Style
-
Motown Soul
-
R&B
-
Doo-Wop
-
Pop-Soul
Smokey’s sound blends romantic lyricism, smooth grooves, and effortlessly expressive vocals. He’s often praised for bringing emotional intelligence and vulnerability to male-led R&B ballads, becoming a pioneer in soul music's evolution.
🏆 Notable Achievements
-
🏆 Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1987)
-
📝 Wrote over 4,000 songs, including hits for The Temptations, Mary Wells, and Marvin Gaye
-
🎖️ Kennedy Center Honors recipient (2006)
-
🎵 National Medal of Arts awarded by President George W. Bush (2002)
-
💿 Multiple Gold and Platinum records across his career
Explore his songwriting legacy on AllMusic
🎧 Hit Songs
-
“Tears of a Clown” (with The Miracles) – 🎪 A bittersweet anthem mixing melancholy with a circus melody
-
“Cruisin’” – 🚗 A solo classic full of romance and laid-back charm
-
“Tracks of My Tears” – 😢 A timeless heartbreak ballad that remains one of the most emotional songs in soul history
-
“You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” – 💘 A conflicted love song covered by The Beatles and many others
-
“Being with You” – 💞 A soft, sweet R&B love song that became a crossover hit in the '80s
🎥 Watch & Listen
📺 YouTube
Check out performances on the Smokey Robinson Official YouTube Channel
🎧 Spotify
Stream Smokey Robinson on Spotify
💡 Booking Appeal
Smokey Robinson brings class, soul, and timeless romance to the stage. Whether performing solo or with a full orchestra, his legendary status ensures a show filled with nostalgia, emotion, and smooth elegance.
Perfect for:
-
Legacy Music Festivals
-
Corporate Galas
-
Romantic Concert Evenings
-
Charity Events
-
Black Tie Affairs
🎤 Quote to Remember
“People say I'm the king of love songs. I just write what I feel.” – Smokey Robinson
✨ Book Smokey Robinson for an evening of classic soul, heartfelt ballads, and the living heartbeat of Motown.
Smokey Robinson
🎤 Smokey Robinson – The King of Motown Soul
Smokey Robinson is a legendary American singer, songwriter, and producer whose voice and lyrics helped define the sound of Motown. With his velvet falsetto and poetic lyricism, he’s been serenading the world since the late 1950s—and he’s still going strong.
🌟 About Smokey Robinson
Born William “Smokey” Robinson Jr. on February 19, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan, Smokey rose to fame as the frontman of The Miracles, one of Motown’s earliest and most beloved groups. Under the mentorship of Berry Gordy, Smokey not only became a chart-topping performer but also one of Motown’s most prolific and respected songwriters.
He penned timeless hits for himself and other Motown stars, helping launch the careers of artists like The Temptations, Mary Wells, and Marvin Gaye. His soulful voice and poetic storytelling have earned him a spot among the greatest figures in music history.
Read more at Smokey Robinson’s official website
🎶 Genres & Style
-
Motown Soul
-
R&B
-
Doo-Wop
-
Pop-Soul
Smokey’s sound blends romantic lyricism, smooth grooves, and effortlessly expressive vocals. He’s often praised for bringing emotional intelligence and vulnerability to male-led R&B ballads, becoming a pioneer in soul music’s evolution.
🏆 Notable Achievements
-
🏆 Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1987)
-
📝 Wrote over 4,000 songs, including hits for The Temptations, Mary Wells, and Marvin Gaye
-
🎖️ Kennedy Center Honors recipient (2006)
-
🎵 National Medal of Arts awarded by President George W. Bush (2002)
-
💿 Multiple Gold and Platinum records across his career
Explore his songwriting legacy on AllMusic
🎧 Hit Songs
-
“Tears of a Clown” (with The Miracles) – 🎪 A bittersweet anthem mixing melancholy with a circus melody
-
“Cruisin’” – 🚗 A solo classic full of romance and laid-back charm
-
“Tracks of My Tears” – 😢 A timeless heartbreak ballad that remains one of the most emotional songs in soul history
-
“You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” – 💘 A conflicted love song covered by The Beatles and many others
-
“Being with You” – 💞 A soft, sweet R&B love song that became a crossover hit in the ’80s
🎥 Watch & Listen
📺 YouTube
Check out performances on the Smokey Robinson Official YouTube Channel
🎧 Spotify
Stream Smokey Robinson on Spotify
💡 Booking Appeal
Smokey Robinson brings class, soul, and timeless romance to the stage. Whether performing solo or with a full orchestra, his legendary status ensures a show filled with nostalgia, emotion, and smooth elegance.
Perfect for:
-
Legacy Music Festivals
-
Corporate Galas
-
Romantic Concert Evenings
-
Charity Events
-
Black Tie Affairs
🎤 Quote to Remember
“People say I’m the king of love songs. I just write what I feel.” – Smokey Robinson
✨ Book Smokey Robinson for an evening of classic soul, heartfelt ballads, and the living heartbeat of Motown.
Expand Full Bio
Growing up in a rough neighborhood, Robinson started out singing in local groups. In the early 1950s, he formed the Matadors, which later became the world famous Miracles. A chance meeting with record producer Berry Gordy, Jr. led to a contract with Motown Records as well as an important working relationship. The Miracles scored their first big hit with 'Shop Around' (1960) and developed quite a following with their energetic R&B sound. The group has numerous hits, including 'You Really Got a Hold on Me' (1962) and 'I Second That Emotion' (1967). Robinson also worked behind the scenes, composing and producing for the Miracles and other Motown artists, such as Mary Wells and the Temptations. His work contributed to the success of Motown Records and helped advance the popularity of soul music.
Robinson went solo in 1972, creating a more mellow sound for himself. Often associated with romantic soul music, he released such successful albums as A Quiet Storm (1974) and Touch the Sky (1983).
Robinson went on to win his first Grammy Award as a solo artist, in 1987 for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male for the song 'Just To See Her' from the album One Heartbeat. Other later solo recordings included Double Good Everything (1991) and Intimate (1999). He took his work in a new direction in 2004, releasing a collection of music that reflected his spiritual beliefs entitled Food for the Spirit.
Still a popular entertainer, Robinson continues to perform live. He also has been busy as a public speaker, talking to groups about his personal experiences. Exploring new business opportunities, Robinson formed a food company called Smokey Robinson Foods, which includes a line of ready-to-eat meals.
In 2006, Robinson was selected to be a Kennedy Center Honoree for his contributions to the arts and American culture and received an honorary degree from Howard University.
Growing up in a rough neighborhood, Robinson started out singing in local groups. In the early 1950s, he formed the Matadors, which later became the world famous Miracles. A chance meeting with record producer Berry Gordy, Jr. led to a contract with Motown Records as well as an important working relationship. The Miracles scored their first big hit with ‘Shop Around’ (1960) and developed quite a following with their energetic R&B sound. The group has numerous hits, including ‘You Really Got a Hold on Me’ (1962) and ‘I Second That Emotion’ (1967). Robinson also worked behind the scenes, composing and producing for the Miracles and other Motown artists, such as Mary Wells and the Temptations. His work contributed to the success of Motown Records and helped advance the popularity of soul music.
Robinson went solo in 1972, creating a more mellow sound for himself. Often associated with romantic soul music, he released such successful albums as A Quiet Storm (1974) and Touch the Sky (1983).
Robinson went on to win his first Grammy Award as a solo artist, in 1987 for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male for the song ‘Just To See Her’ from the album One Heartbeat. Other later solo recordings included Double Good Everything (1991) and Intimate (1999). He took his work in a new direction in 2004, releasing a collection of music that reflected his spiritual beliefs entitled Food for the Spirit.
Still a popular entertainer, Robinson continues to perform live. He also has been busy as a public speaker, talking to groups about his personal experiences. Exploring new business opportunities, Robinson formed a food company called Smokey Robinson Foods, which includes a line of ready-to-eat meals.
In 2006, Robinson was selected to be a Kennedy Center Honoree for his contributions to the arts and American culture and received an honorary degree from Howard University.
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