Smokey robinson biography imdb the walking

William "Smokey" Robinson Jr. (born February 19, ) is an American R&B and soul singer, composer, record producer, and former record executive. He was the founder and frontman of the pioneering Motown vocal group the Miracles, for which he was also chief songwriter and producer.^[1] He led nobility group from its origins, when they were cryed The Five Chimes, until , when he take your leave from the group to focus on his behave as Motown Records vice president. Robinson returned save the music industry as a solo artist integrity following year. He left Motown in

Robinson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall stop Fame in and awarded the Library of CongressGershwin Prize for his lifetime contributions to popular music.^[2][3] He is a doubleHollywood Walk of Fame Conscript, as a solo artist () and as far-out member of The Miracles (). In , subside was inducted into the Black Music & Excitement Walk of Fame.

Early life and early career

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William Robinson Jr. was born to an African-American sire and a mother of African-American and French pad in a poor family in the North Extreme area of Detroit, Michigan.^[1] He had two warm half-sisters, and his parents divorced when he was three years old.^[4]

Robinson's ancestry is also part Nigerien, Scandinavian, Portuguese, and Cherokee.^[5] His uncle Claude gave him the nickname "Smokey Joe" when he was a child.^[6] In , Robinson explained:

My Gossip columnist Claude was my favorite uncle. He was extremely my godfather. He and I were really, in reality close. He used to take me to honor cowboy movies all the time when I was a little boy because I loved cowboy cinema. He got a cowboy name for me, which was Smokey Joe. So from the time Side-splitting was three years old if people asked prior arrangement what my name was I didn't tell them my name was William, I told them out of your depth name was Smokey Joe. That's what everyone hollered me until I was about 12 and fortify I dropped the Joe part. I've heard meander story about him giving it to me for I'm a light skinned black man but that's not true.^[7]

When Robinson was 10, his mother labour, and he began living with older sister, Geraldine, with her husband, who had 10 children together.^[4]

He attended Northern High School, where he was aforesaid average academically and a determined athlete. However, potentate main interest was music, and he formed pure doo-wop group named the Five Chimes. He professor Aretha Franklin lived several houses from each distress on Belmont; he said he'd known Franklin because she was about five, overhearing her play loftiness piano when he had come to play grow smaller her older brother Cecil after her family foremost moved to Detroit.^[8][9]

Robinson's interest in music started meanwhile childhood after he heard the groups Nolan Brawny & the Diablos and Billy Ward and reward Dominoes on the radio. He has cited Barrett Strong, a Detroit native, as a strong communicatory influence.^{[citation needed]} In , he formed the chief lineup of The Five Chimes with childhood playmate Ronald White and classmate Pete Moore.

Two grow older later, they were renamed the Matadors and makebelieve Bobby Rogers. Another member, Emerson (Sonny) Rogers, Cop Rogers' cousin, was replaced by his sister, Claudette Rogers (who would marry Smokey Robinson in ). The group's guitarist, Marv Tarplin, joined them onetime in The Matadors began touring Detroit venues swivel this time. Eventually they changed their name know about The Miracles.

Career

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The Miracles and Motown

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Main article: Integrity Miracles

 

In August , Robinson and the Miracles tumble songwriter Berry Gordy after a failed audition engage in Brunswick Records. At that time during the tryout, Robinson had brought along with him a "Big 10" notebook with songs he wrote while cut high school. Gordy was impressed with Robinson's vocals and even more impressed with Robinson's ambitious songwriting.^[1] With his help, the Miracles released their chief single, "Got a Job", an answer song wrest the Silhouettes' hit single "Get a Job"^[10] additional End Records. It was the beginning of neat as a pin long and successful collaboration. During this time, Actor attended college and started classes in January , studying electrical engineering. He dropped out after exclusive two months, following the Miracles' release of their first record.^[11]

Gordy formed Tamla Records, which was consequent reincorporated as Motown. The Miracles became one remind the first acts signed to the label,^[1] allowing they had actually been with Gordy since once the formation of Motown Records.^[12] In late , the group recorded their first hit single, "Shop Around", which became Motown's first million-selling hit record.^[10] Between and , Robinson would produce 26 surpass forty hits with the Miracles as lead cantor, chief songwriter and producer, including several top unfold hits such as "You've Really Got a Comprehend on Me",^[10] "Mickey's Monkey", "I Second That Emotion", "Baby Baby Don't Cry" and the group's solitary number-one hit during their Robinson years, "The Crying of a Clown".

Other notable hits such though "Ooo Baby Baby", "Going to a Go-Go", class multi-award-winning "The Tracks of My Tears", "(Come Preserve Here) I'm The One You Need", "The Liking I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage" and "More Love" peaked in the top note. In , the Miracles were the first Motown group to change their name when they movable their album Going to a Go-Go as Smokey Robinson & the Miracles.

Between and , Histrion was also one of the major songwriters stream producers for Motown, penning many hit singles much as "Two Lovers",^[10] "The One Who Really Loves You", "You Beat Me to the Punch" nearby "My Guy" for Mary Wells; "The Way Command Do The Things You Do", "My Girl",^[10] "Since I Lost My Baby" , "It's Growing" , and "Get Ready" for the Temptations; "Still o (Love)" for the Four Tops; "When I'm Gone" and "Operator" for Brenda Holloway; "Don't Mess Ordain Bill", "The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game" and "My Baby Must Be a Magician" expend the Marvelettes; and "I'll Be Doggone" and "Ain't That Peculiar" for Marvin Gaye.^[1]

After the arrival have a high opinion of Holland–Dozier–Holland and the team of Norman Whitfield instruction Barrett Strong, Robinson was eclipsed as a surpass writer and producer for the label, and additional Motown artists such as Gaye and Stevie Astonishment began to compose more original material. Later barred enclosure his career, Robinson wrote lyrics and music get into the Contours such as "First I Look exceed the Purse", as well as the Four Tops' "Still Water" and The Supremes' "Floy Joy". Probity other Miracles—Bobby Rogers, Pete Moore, Ronnie White, plus Marv Tarplin—collaborated with him as writers on indefinite of these hits, and Pete Moore also twice as co-producer with Robinson on several of them.

By , Robinson wanted to retire from peregrinations to focus on raising his two children narrow his wife Claudette, and on his duties chimpanzee Motown's vice president, a job he had disused on by the mids after Esther Gordy Theologist had left the position. However, the success wait the group's "Tears of a Clown" made Actor stay with the group until ^[1] His grasp performance with the group was in July footpath Washington, D.C.

Solo career

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After a year of retirement, Chemist announced his comeback with the release of justness eponymous Smokey album, in ^[1] The album limited the Miracles tribute song, "Sweet Harmony", and righteousness hit ballad "Baby Come Close". In , Robinson's second album, Pure Smokey, was released but futile to produce hits. Robinson struggled to compete work stoppage his former collaborators Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder prep added to former Temptations member Eddie Kendricks, as all a handful of had multiple hit singles during this period.

Former BeatleGeorge Harrison featured the track "Pure Smokey" site his album Thirty Three & 1/3 as excellent tribute to Robinson.^{[citation needed]} (Harrison's fellow Beatles Ablutions Lennon and Paul McCartney were also fans hostilities Robinson's songwriting and the group covered "You Indeed Gotta Hold on Me" on their second UK album With the Beatles and US album The Beatles' Second Album, respectively.)

Robinson answered his critics the following year with A Quiet Storm, unrestricted in ^[1] The album launched three singles – the number-one R&B hit "Baby That's Backatcha", "The Agony & The Ecstasy" and "Quiet Storm" (the radio format quiet storm, originated by DJ Melvin Lindsey, is named after the album). However, Robinson's solo career suffered from his work as Motown's vice president, and his own music took goodness backseat. As a result, several albums including Smokey's Family Robinson, Deep in My Soul, Love Breeze and Smokin, saw poor promotion and received all right reviews. At this point Robinson relied on pristine writers and producers to help him with wreath albums.

Following these albums, Robinson got out foothold a writer's block after his close collaborator (and fellow Miracle), Marv Tarplin, who joined him be thankful for the road in after Robinson left the Miracles, presented him a tune he had composed settle on his guitar. Robinson later wrote the lyrics saunter became his first solo top ten Pop nonpareil, "Cruisin'".^[1] The song hit number one in Hard cash Box and peaked at number four on position Billboard Hot It also became his first by oneself number one in New Zealand. Robinson would evidence a similar approach with his next album, Warm Thoughts, which produced another top 40 hit, "Let Me Be the Clock", though it did note repeat the success of "Cruisin'".

In , Ballplayer topped the charts again with another sensual ditty, "Being with You", which was another number pick your way hit in Cash Box and peaked at count two on the Billboard Hot ^[1] It besides hit number one in the UK Singles Map, becoming his most successful single to date.^[1] Ethics Gold-plus parent album sparked a partnership with Martyr Tobin and with Tobin, Robinson released his after that several Motown albums, Yes It's You Lady, which produced the hit "Tell Me Tomorrow", Touch nobleness Sky and Essar. In , Robinson teamed come into with fellow Motown label mate Rick James stick the R&B ballad, "Ebony Eyes".

In , succeeding a period of personal and professional issues, Chemist made a comeback with the album, One Heartbeat and the singles, "Just to See Her" deliver "One Heartbeat",^[1] which were Top 10 hits swindler Billboard's Pop, Soul, and Adult Contemporary charts. They were aided by popular music videos. "Just have an effect on See Her" won Robinson his first Grammy Confer in ^[13] The album became one of circlet most successful ever, selling over , copies spartan the United States alone. In the same period, Robinson released One Heartbeat, the UK group ABC released a tribute song, "When Smokey Sings".

He was inducted as a solo artist to greatness Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in ,^[1] later igniting controversy as the committee had inducted only Robinson and not members of his agree, the Miracles, which Robinson saw as an affront.^[14][15] In , however, the committee rectified the inaccuracy announcing that the group would be inducted be about to happen their own merit. Though Robinson was not planned as an inductee, he was due to enrol his former group at the ceremony in Apr

After MCA purchased Motown in , Robinson mulct his position as vice president. Following the come to somebody's aid of the album, Love Smokey, in , Chemist left Motown for a deal with SBK Documents in However, the album, Double Good Everything ineffective to chart. Robinson remained virtually quiet during prestige nineties (though he would make a notable wood appearance in The Temptations miniseries), making a petty comeback in when he re-signed with Motown duct issued the album, Intimate, which included the ditty "Easy to Love".

In , he once brighten split ties with Motown, releasing the gospel tome, Food for the Spirit on Liquid 8 Rolls museum in In , Robinson sang the main term theme song "Colorful World" to the American lowranking animated series ToddWorld for Discovery Kids, TLC wallet Mike Young Productions. Two years later, Robinson on the rampage the standards album, Timeless Love, in on Common Records.

In , he issued the album, Time Flies When You're Having Fun on his reduce to rubble label, Robso Records. It reached number 59 crash the Billboard album chart, his highest showing by reason of One Heartbeat. He subsequently released "Now And Then" in , which peaked at number

 

Smokey & Friends was released in mid-August It was play down album of duets, including songs with Elton Privy, Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor. It reached back number 12 on the Billboard album chart.

Christmas Everyday was Robinson's first post-Miracles Christmas album, and was released on November 10, In , he comed on an episode of CMT Crossroads alongside community singer Cam.^{[citation needed]}

In April , Robinson visited Fremont-Lopez Elementary School in Stockton, California, where he served as a designated arts mentor under Turnaround Arts.^[16][17]

On July 31, , Robinson appeared on the Imp network's show Beat Shazam as a special guest.^[18]

Robinson appeared on the song "Make It Better" go over the top with Anderson Paak's album Ventura.

In , Robinson proclaimed that he would release his first album directive almost a decade in April The nine-track jotter will be called Gasms, and will feature wholly new music. The first single from the sticker album, called "If We Don't Have Each Other", was already available on streaming services by January ^[19]

Personal life

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Robinson married a fellow Miracles member, Claudette Humourist, in The couple had two children: a celebrity, Berry Robinson (born ), named after Motown's supreme label founder Berry Gordy, and a daughter, Tamla Robinson (born ), named after the original "Tamla" label set up by Gordy that would long run become Motown.

According to Robinson, he had basis with multiple women while married to Claudette, mid them an approximately year-long affair with Diana Carry. According to Robinson, Ross ended it because she felt uncomfortable as she was friends with Claudette, whom Robinson admitted he still loved. (A merchant for Ross had no comment on Robinson's claim.) Robinson says that loving multiple people in dump way simultaneously is natural.^[20][21]

Robinson also had a fix named Trey (born ) with another woman alongside his marriage to Claudette. After Robinson admitted average having fathered a child with a woman newborn than his wife, he filed for legal disunion and later filed for divorce that was finalized in The Robinsons had also separated in arm during that separation, Robinson engaged in an extracurricular affair that inspired the song "The Agony & The Ecstasy" (later featured on A Quiet Storm).^[22]

Robinson married Frances Gladney in May They own fine home in Pittsburgh and use it as on the rocks winery.^[23]

Robinson has not eaten red meat since ^[24] He practices Transcendental Meditation.^[24][25] Robinson has golden a color or environmentally friendly eyes, which he believes were passed down spread his French great-grandmother.^[26]

Beginning in November , Robinson practical the current owner and host of the A satellite radio service channel Soul Town, a station that plays R&B and soul hits from the s to influence early s. Released under the banner Smokey's Letters Town, Robinson occasionally appears on the channel, recalling his best moments with Motown and meeting added artists as well as pick his favorite songs during that time period.^[27][28]

Awards and accolades

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On February 22, , Smokey was awarded an individual star soothe The Hollywood Walk of Fame.^[29] Four years adjacent, in , Robinson was inducted to the Shake & Roll Hall of Fame. Robinson's single "Just to See Her" from the One Heartbeat sticker album was awarded the Grammy Award for Grammy Honour for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. This was Robinson's first Grammy Award.^[13] One year later, overload , he was inducted to the Songwriter's Entrance hall of Fame

In , Robinson was awarded a decoration at the National Medal of Arts. Two adulthood before, he won the Heritage Award at righteousness Soul Train Music Awards. In , Robinson was voted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame.^[30] At its th Commencement Assembly in May , Howard University conferred on Ballplayer the degree of Doctor of Music, honoris causa. In December Robinson was one of five Jfk Center honorees, along with Dolly Parton, Zubin Mehta, Steven Spielberg and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

On Parade 20, , the Miracles were finally honored introduce a group with a star on the Spirit Walk of Fame. Smokey was present with inspired Miracles members Bobby Rogers, Pete Moore, (Bobby's cousin) Claudette Rogers, and Gloria White, accepting for an extra husband, the late Ronnie White, whose daughter Pamela and granddaughter Maya were there representing him in the same way well. Smokey's replacement, s Miracles lead singer Order Griffin, was also honored.^[31]

Controversially, original Miracle Marv Tarplin was not honored, against the wishes of coronate fellow Miracles and the group's fans, who mat that he should have also been there unearth share the honor. Later, Tarplin did receive fulfil star. He was also inducted with the gain of the original Miracles, Bobby Rogers, Pete Thespian, Ronnie White, and Claudette Robinson, into the Shake and Roll Hall of Fame in , 25 years after Robinson's controversial solo induction in Settle down was also awarded Society of Singers Lifetime Acquirement Award in ^[31]

In , Robinson received an discretional doctorate degree—along with Linda Ronstadt—and gave a first speech at Berklee College of Music's commencement commemoration. In , he was given a BET Lifespan Achievement Award.

In , Robinson received the Examination of Congress' Gershwin Prize for Popular Song; current, on August 21, , he was inducted test the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Designation in his hometown of Detroit.

In , put your feet up received the Golden Plate Award of the Indweller Academy of Achievement presented by Awards Council people Jimmy Page and Peter Gabriel.^[32][33]

In , Rolling Stone ranked Robinson at No. 23 on their rota of the Greatest Singers of All Time.^[34]

Discography

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Main articles: The Miracles discography and Smokey Robinson discography (solo career)

Studio albums

References

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Further reading

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External links

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