Smokey Robinson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Smokey Robinson
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Robinson in 2018
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | William Robinson Jr. |
| Born | February 19, 1940 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1955–present |
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William "Smokey" Robinson Jr. (born February 19, 1940) is a famous American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is known for his amazing voice and for writing many hit songs. Smokey Robinson was the leader of a very important music group called The Miracles. This group was a big part of the Motown sound.
He led The Miracles from 1955 until 1972. After that, he worked as a vice president at Motown Records. Robinson started his solo music career in 1973. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. He also received the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize in 2016 for his contributions to music. Smokey Robinson has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. One is for his solo work, and the other is with The Miracles.
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Early Life and Music Beginnings
William Robinson Jr. was born on February 19, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan. His family was not wealthy. His parents divorced when he was three years old. His mother passed away when he was ten. After that, he lived with his older sister.
When he was a child, his uncle Claude gave him the nickname "Smokey Joe." Smokey loved cowboy movies, and his uncle thought the name fit him. He later dropped the "Joe" part.
Smokey attended Northern High School. He was a good student and athlete, but music was his main passion. He formed a singing group called the Five Chimes. He knew Aretha Franklin from childhood, as they lived near each other.
In 1955, he formed the first version of the Five Chimes with his friends Ronald White and Pete Moore. Later, they changed their name to the Matadors. In 1957, Bobby Rogers joined the group. Bobby's sister, Claudette Rogers, also joined and later married Smokey. The group eventually became known as The Miracles.
Music Career
The Miracles and Motown Records
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In 1957, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles met Berry Gordy. Gordy was impressed with Smokey's singing and songwriting. With Gordy's help, The Miracles released their first song, "Got a Job." This was the start of a long and successful partnership.
Berry Gordy soon created Tamla Records, which later became Motown. The Miracles were one of the first groups to sign with Motown. In 1960, they had their first big hit, "Shop Around." This song was Motown's first record to sell over a million copies.
Between 1960 and 1970, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles had 26 songs that reached the top 40 charts. Many of these were top ten hits, like "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" and "I Second That Emotion." Their only number-one hit during this time was "The Tears of a Clown." In 1965, the group changed its name to Smokey Robinson & the Miracles.
Smokey was also a very important songwriter and producer for Motown. He wrote many hit songs for other artists. For example, he wrote "My Guy" for Mary Wells and "My Girl" for the Temptations. He also wrote "Ain't That Peculiar" for Marvin Gaye.
By 1969, Smokey wanted to stop touring. He wanted to spend more time with his family and focus on his job as Motown's vice president. He stayed with the group until 1972 because "Tears of a Clown" was so popular. His last show with The Miracles was in July 1972.
Solo Music Journey
After taking a year off, Smokey Robinson returned to music in 1973. He released his first solo album, Smokey. This album included the song "Sweet Harmony," which was a tribute to The Miracles.
In 1975, he released the album A Quiet Storm. This album had popular songs like "Baby That's Backatcha" and "Quiet Storm." The radio format called "quiet storm" was named after this album.
Smokey continued to have success with his solo music. In 1979, he released "Cruisin'," which became a top ten hit. In 1981, his song "Being with You" was a number-one hit in the UK. It was also very popular in the US.
In 1987, Smokey released the album One Heartbeat. The songs "Just to See Her" and "One Heartbeat" were big hits. "Just to See Her" won Smokey his first Grammy Award in 1988. This album sold over 900,000 copies.
Smokey Robinson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist in 1988. Later, in 2012, The Miracles group was also inducted. Smokey was there to celebrate with his former group members.
After Motown Records was sold in 1988, Smokey left his job as vice president. He continued to release music throughout the years. In 2004, he released a gospel album called Food for the Spirit. He also sang the theme song "Colorful World" for the children's TV show ToddWorld.
In 2009, he released Time Flies When You're Having Fun. This album reached number 59 on the Billboard album chart. In 2014, he released Smokey & Friends, an album of duets with artists like Elton John and Linda Ronstadt.
As of July 2025, Smokey Robinson is the owner and host of the SiriusXM channel Soul Town. On this station, he plays R&B and soul hits from the 1950s to the early 1980s. He also shares stories about his time at Motown and his favorite songs.
Personal Life
Smokey Robinson married Claudette Rogers, a member of The Miracles, in 1959. They had two children: a son named Berry and a daughter named Tamla. They divorced in 1986.
Smokey Robinson married Frances Gladney in May 2002. They have a home in Pittsburgh where they also have a winery.
Smokey has not eaten red meat since 1972. He also practices Transcendental Meditation.
Awards and Honors
Smokey Robinson has received many awards and honors throughout his career:
- 1983: Received an individual star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- 1987: Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
- 1988: Won his first Grammy Award for "Just to See Her."
- 1989: Inducted into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame.
- 1993: Awarded a medal at the National Medal of Arts.
- 2006: Received an honorary degree from Howard University.
- 2006: Honored at the Kennedy Center Honors.
- 2009: The Miracles received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as a group.
- 2012: The original members of The Miracles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
- 2015: Received a BET Lifetime Achievement Award.
- 2016: Received the Library of Congress' Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.
- 2016: Inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame.
- 2019: Received the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement.
- 2023: Rolling Stone magazine ranked him at No. 23 on their list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.
Discography
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Albums with The Miracles
Albums with Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
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Solo Studio Albums
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See also
In Spanish: Smokey Robinson para niños
