Who is Smokey Robinson, and why is he so important? Smokey Robinson is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and former record executive director. He was the founder and frontman of the vocal group the Miracles, for which he sang lead and wrote or co-wrote the majority of their hits.

Robinson's smooth, rich vocals and his gift for writing heartfelt, romantic ballads made him one of the most successful and influential soul singers of the 1960s and 1970s. He has written and produced numerous hit songs for other artists, including "My Girl" for The Temptations, "Get Ready" for The Temptations, and "Tears of a Clown" for The Miracles. Robinson was also a key figure in the development of Motown Records, the legendary record label that helped launch the careers of many of the biggest names in soul music.

Robinson's contributions to music have been recognized with numerous awards and accolades, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, the Kennedy Center Honors, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

Smokey Robinson is a true music legend. His songs have touched the lives of millions of people around the world. He is an inspiration to musicians and music lovers alike.

Smokey Robinson

Smokey Robinson is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and former record executive director. He is best known as the founder and frontman of the vocal group the Miracles, for which he sang lead and wrote or co-wrote the majority of their hits.

Singer: Robinson has a smooth, rich voice that is instantly recognizable. He is one of the most successful and influential soul singers of all time.
Songwriter: Robinson is a gifted songwriter who has written some of the most iconic songs in soul music history, including "My Girl," "Get Ready," and "Tears of a Clown."
Producer: Robinson has produced numerous hit songs for other artists, including The Temptations, The Supremes, and Marvin Gaye.
Record executive: Robinson was a key figure in the development of Motown Records, the legendary record label that helped launch the careers of many of the biggest names in soul music.
Innovator: Robinson was one of the pioneers of the "Motown Sound," a distinctive style of soul music that was characterized by its smooth vocals, catchy melodies, and lush orchestration.
Inspiration: Robinson has been an inspiration to musicians and music lovers alike for over 50 years. He is a true music legend.

Personal Details and Bio Data

Birth Name:	William Robinson Jr.
Born:	February 19, 1940
Birth Place:	Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Genre:	Soul, R&B
Occupation:	Singer, songwriter, record producer, record executive
Years Active:	1955-present
Labels:	Motown, Tamla, Gordy
Spouse:	Frances Gladney (m. 1957-1974), Claudette Rogers Robinson (m. 1975-present)
Children:	3

Singer

Smokey Robinson's smooth, rich voice is one of the most distinctive and recognizable in soul music history. His vocal style is characterized by its warmth, expressiveness, and emotional depth. Robinson's voice is perfectly suited for the romantic ballads that he is known for, but he is also capable of delivering powerful and soulful performances on up-tempo songs.

Robinson's success as a singer is due in no small part to his vocal abilities. His voice has a natural richness and depth that gives his songs a warm and inviting sound. Robinson is also a gifted vocalist who can effortlessly navigate complex melodies and harmonies. His vocal performances are always passionate and expressive, and he has a knack for connecting with his audience on an emotional level.

Robinson's influence on soul music is undeniable. He was one of the pioneers of the "Motown Sound," a distinctive style of soul music that was characterized by its smooth vocals, catchy melodies, and lush orchestration. Robinson's songs have been covered by countless artists, and his influence can be heard in the work of many of today's most popular singers.

Smokey Robinson is a true vocal legend. His smooth, rich voice has helped to define the sound of soul music for over 50 years. He is one of the most successful and influential singers of all time, and his music continues to inspire and delight fans around the world.

Songwriter

Smokey Robinson is widely regarded as one of the greatest songwriters of all time. His songs are known for their catchy melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and timeless appeal. Robinson's songwriting skills were evident from a young age. He wrote his first song, "Got a Job," when he was just 11 years old. By the time he was a teenager, he was writing songs for other artists, including The Miracles, The Temptations, and Marvin Gaye.

Robinson's songs have been recorded by countless artists over the years, and many of them have become classics. Some of his most famous songs include "My Girl," "Get Ready," "Tears of a Clown," "The Tracks of My Tears," and "I Second That Emotion." Robinson's songs have been praised for their emotional depth, lyrical sophistication, and universal appeal.

Robinson's songwriting skills have had a major impact on the development of soul music. He is credited with helping to create the "Motown Sound," a distinctive style of soul music that was characterized by its smooth vocals, catchy melodies, and lush orchestration. Robinson's songs have also been influential in other genres of music, including pop, R&B, and rock.

Smokey Robinson is a true songwriting legend. His songs have touched the lives of millions of people around the world. He is an inspiration to musicians and music lovers alike.

Producer

Smokey Robinson's contributions to music extend beyond his work as a singer and songwriter. He is also a gifted record producer who has helped to shape the careers of some of the biggest names in soul music.

The Motown Sound
Robinson played a key role in the development of the "Motown Sound," a distinctive style of soul music that was characterized by its smooth vocals, catchy melodies, and lush orchestration. Robinson produced many of the biggest hits for Motown artists, including The Temptations, The Supremes, and Marvin Gaye.
Hitmaker
Robinson has a knack for producing hit songs. He has produced over 40 top ten hits, including "My Girl," "Get Ready," and "Tears of a Clown." Robinson's songs have been recorded by countless artists over the years, and they continue to be popular today.
Mentor
Robinson has been a mentor to many young artists, including Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder. He has helped to guide their careers and has given them invaluable advice on songwriting and producing.
Legacy
Robinson's legacy as a producer is secure. He is one of the most successful and influential producers in music history. His work has helped to shape the sound of soul music and has inspired generations of musicians.

Smokey Robinson is a true music legend. He is a gifted singer, songwriter, and producer who has made a major contribution to the world of music.

Record executive

Smokey Robinson's role as a record executive was instrumental in the success of Motown Records and the development of soul music. As a key figure in the company's early days, Robinson played a vital role in shaping its sound and direction. He was responsible for signing and developing some of the biggest names in soul music, including The Temptations, The Supremes, and Marvin Gaye.

Robinson's vision for Motown was to create a record label that would produce high-quality, commercially successful soul music. He believed that soul music had the power to reach a wide audience and break down racial barriers. Robinson's commitment to quality and his ability to identify and develop talent were key factors in Motown's success.

Robinson's work as a record executive had a profound impact on the development of soul music. He helped to create a sound that was both sophisticated and accessible, and he introduced a new generation of talented artists to the world. Robinson's legacy as a record executive is secure. He is one of the most successful and influential figures in the history of soul music.

Innovator

Smokey Robinson was a key figure in the development of the "Motown Sound," a distinctive style of soul music that dominated the charts in the 1960s and 1970s. Robinson's innovations as a songwriter, producer, and performer helped to shape the sound of Motown and make it one of the most successful record labels in history.

Smooth Vocals
Robinson's smooth, rich vocals were a key element of the Motown Sound. He had a natural ability to sing with both power and finesse, and his voice was perfectly suited for the romantic ballads that Motown was known for.
Catchy Melodies
Robinson was also a gifted songwriter, and he wrote some of the most memorable melodies in Motown's history. His songs were often simple and direct, but they were always catchy and infectious.
Lush Orchestration
The Motown Sound was also characterized by its lush orchestration. Robinson worked closely with arrangers such as Paul Riser and David Van DePitte to create a sound that was both sophisticated and soulful.

Robinson's innovations as a songwriter, producer, and performer helped to make the Motown Sound one of the most popular and influential styles of music in history. His work continues to inspire and influence musicians today.

Inspiration

Smokey Robinson's contributions to music are undeniable. He is a gifted singer, songwriter, producer, and record executive who has helped to shape the sound of soul music for over 50 years. Robinson's music has inspired generations of musicians and music lovers alike.

One of the reasons why Robinson is such an inspiration is his ability to connect with people through his music. His songs are often about love, loss, and heartbreak, and they touch on universal emotions that everyone can relate to. Robinson's music has the power to make people feel happy, sad, and everything in between. It is music that speaks to the soul.

Robinson is also an inspiration because of his commitment to excellence. He has never been content to rest on his laurels, and he has always strived to create music that is both meaningful and memorable. Robinson's dedication to his craft is evident in every song he writes and produces.

Smokey Robinson is a true music legend. He is an inspiration to musicians and music lovers alike. His music has touched the lives of millions of people around the world, and it will continue to inspire for generations to come.

Frequently Asked Questions About Smokey Robinson

Question 1: What is Smokey Robinson's real name?

Answer: William Robinson Jr.

Question 2: When and where was Smokey Robinson born?

Answer: February 19, 1940 in Detroit, Michigan, U.S.

Question 3: What is Smokey Robinson's musical genre?

Answer: Soul, R&B

Question 4: What is Smokey Robinson's most famous song?

Answer: "My Girl"

Question 5: How many Grammy Awards has Smokey Robinson won?

Answer: 3

Question 6: Is Smokey Robinson still alive?

Answer: Yes

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Conclusion

Smokey Robinson is a true music legend. His contributions to soul music are undeniable. He is a gifted singer, songwriter, producer, and record executive who has inspired generations of musicians and music lovers alike. Robinson's music has touched the lives of millions of people around the world, and it will continue to inspire for generations to come.

Robinson's legacy is secure. He is one of the most successful and influential figures in the history of soul music. His music has had a profound impact on American culture, and it continues to be enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds. Robinson is a true icon, and his music will continue to be celebrated for years to come.