Claudette Rogers Robinson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Claudette Rogers Robinson
|
|
|---|---|
Robinson next to the Hollywood Walk of Fame star for the Miracles in 2013
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Claudette Annette Rogers |
| Born | June 20, 1942 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Origin | Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Years active | 1956–2010 |
| Labels | Motown, Tamla |
Claudette Annette Rogers Robinson (born June 20, 1942) is an American singer. She is best known as a member of the famous vocal group The Miracles. She joined the group in 1957 and sang with them until 1972.
Claudette's brother, Emerson "Sonny" Rogers, was one of the first members of the group. Before 1957, they were called "The Matadors." Claudette took her brother's place in the group after he joined the U.S. Army.
In 2012, Claudette was honored. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This honor was given to her along with the other original members of The Miracles. These members included her cousin Bobby Rogers, Pete Moore, Ronald White, and Marv Tarplin. Her former husband, Smokey Robinson, who was the lead singer of The Miracles, was also inducted.
Claudette's Life and Music
Claudette Rogers and Smokey Robinson got married on November 7, 1959. They wanted to start a family.
Smokey Robinson helped write a very famous song called "My Girl." He wrote it with another Miracles member, Ronald White. This song was a special dedication to Claudette. It became a number-one hit for The Temptations. The Miracles had originally planned to record the song themselves.
Smokey and Claudette have two children. Their names are connected to the music label Motown. Their son, Berry William Borope Robinson, was named after Berry Gordy. Berry Gordy was the head of the Motown record label. His first middle name, William, honored his father, William "Smokey" Robinson. His second middle name, Borope, honored his fellow Miracles group members: Bobby (Rogers), Ronnie (White), and Pete (Moore). Their daughter, Tamla Claudette Robinson, was named after Motown's first record label, Tamla Records. Her middle name, Claudette, was after her mother.
Smokey Robinson and Claudette divorced in 1986. They had been married for 27 years.
The founder of Motown, Berry Gordy, gave Claudette a special title. He called her the "First Lady of Motown." He wrote about this in his autobiography. This was because The Miracles were Motown's first group. They were also the first artists to record for a Motown-related label (Tamla). Claudette was the first female artist ever signed to Motown.
A few years ago, Claudette started writing her own book. It is called A Miraculous Life. This book shares her memories and her life with The Miracles.
Claudette is also a board member for two important groups. These are the national Rhythm & Blues Foundation and the HAL Awards. Her cousin, Bobby Rogers, who was an original Miracles member, toured with the group until he passed away in 2013.
Claudette still performs and makes special appearances with The Miracles today. You can see her on stage with The Miracles in an old film clip from 1962. This clip is on the 2006 DVD called Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: The Definitive Performances. She also appears on the "Motown 25" Television Special DVD. In that special, she is with original Miracles members Smokey Robinson, Bobby Rogers, Pete Moore, and Marv Tarplin.
Amazing Achievements and Awards
- Claudette and the original members of The Miracles received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This happened on March 20, 2009.
- The Miracles have sold over 60 million records around the world.
- They were inducted into the Doo-Wop Hall of Fame.
- They received an award and were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
- Two places in Detroit, Michigan, are named after The Miracles. These are Miracles Boulevard and Miracles Park.
- Goldmine Magazine named The Miracles one of the "20 Greatest Doo-Wop Groups of All Time."
- The Miracles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. This happened at the same time as Smokey Robinson's induction.
