Detroit, Michigan in the 1950s was a cradle of young musical talent waiting for that magic moment of world discovery. Detroit R&B singers Nolan Strong, Hank Ballard, and Jackie Wilson were already national stars by the middle of the decade. A young songwriter named Berry Gordy, Jr. helped to launch Jackie Wilson's career with the song, “Lonely Teardrops,” which became a big hit in 1958.
Another up-and-coming Detroit R&B act was a vocal group called The Miracles. Berry Gordy, Jr. introduced the Miracles to the bosses at Jackie Wilson's label, Brunswick, but they gave a thumbs down. Gordy wasn't going to give up, so he got them a one-record deal with End Records, a New York-based label that already featured the groups the Chantels and the Flamingos. The Miracles’ recording for End was an answer to the Silhouettes doo wop hit, “Get a Job.” The Miracles song was called “Got a Job.”
Meanwhile, Berry Gordy was busy building a new business called Tamla Records. Berry Gordy Jr. signed the Miracles as one of the first acts on his new label, which he soon called Motown, in honor of its home base. The Miracles gave Motown and Berry Gordy, Jr. their first million selling single in 1960, “Shop Around.”
The leader of the Miracles, William Robinson, was born February 19, 1940 in the Motor City. He was nicknamed Smokey Joe by his uncle Claude, because he liked cowboy movies. By his teen years, he dropped the Joe and just referred to himself as Smokey Robinson. Perhaps more importantly, Smokey Robinson became Motown's first important songwriter and producer.
By the mid-60s, Smokey had co-written and produced dozens of songs, many of them Top Ten hits for Mary Wells, the Temptations, the Supremes, the Marvelettes and many others.
Smokey Robinson left the Miracles by 1972, but he continued a solo career. He was Motown's Vice President in the 1980s, won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee. Smokey Robinson continues to perform and record, and we wish Smokey a very happy birthday.
Listen above.
Recommended Listening
Smokey Robinson & the Miracles:
“Would I Love You”
“oo Baby Baby”
“Tracks of My Tears”
“The Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage”
“Baby Baby Don't Cry”
Smokey Robinson (solo):
“Quiet Storm”
“Holly”
“Baby That's Backatcha”
“Cruisin'”
“Being with You”
A Short List of Smokey Robinson Songs (as songwriter/producer):
“Whisper You Love Me Boy” by the Supremes
“You Beat Me to the Punch” by Mary Wells
“That Day When She Needed Me” by the Contours
“My Smile Is just a Frown” by Carolyn Crawford
“The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game” by the Marvelettes
“The Way You Do the Things You Do” by the Temptations
“One More Heartache” by Marvin Gaye
“Who's Loving You” by the Jackson Five
