SMOKEY

ROBINSON

Smokey Robinson was born on February 19, 1940 in Detroit,

Michigan.

In the 1950’s Smokey’s mother passed away.

THE MATADORS

THE MIRACLES

In 1954, Smokey formed a group that was first known as the Matadors. 3 years later, the group name changed to The Miracles when Claudette Rogers joined the group. Smokey and Claudette were married in 1959.

The music industry was a very difficult business to go into. At first, the members of the Miracles were only being paid five dollars per week by their agent Berry Gordy.

Berry Gordy and Smoky Robinson were the start of something new. They were very fortunate to have come across each other. They had what the other needed at that time. Gordy began to produce the Miracles in 1958.

Smokey hit the charts in the 1960’s with the release of Shop Around, a song composed by Smokey himself.

This song is what enabled Gordy to start up his own record label (Motown Records). He also produced other talents.

Smokey was able to grow with the successful Motown Record company. He was the lead vocalist for their band which was renamed Smokey Robinson & The Miracles.

He composed most of his own music along with hit songs for other headlining artists.

Later on in his career, Smokey was faced with competition known as The Beatles. Even with this competition, he was able to win 6 gold records containing hits such as “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me”, “Tracks of My Tears”, and “Oooo Baby Baby”.

•In 1968, Smokey was expecting his son.• He left the Miracles in 1972, even though their song “Tears of a Clown” was #1 in Britain and the U.S.•He went solo and recorded mellower music.•He became VP of Motown Records.•Wrote hundreds of songs for other artists.

THE 1980’S

Smokey was well into his 3rd decade of music. He won many Grammy’s for his work in the music industry. Most of his music as R&B soul type of music. He was also inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of fame and named the Grammy living legend.

Aside from all the fame and accomplishments, Smokey had his share of downfalls. He had a few marital affairs and also a two year cocaine addiction. Coping with so much fame was not always easy for Smokey. He stayed married to Claudette for 27 years and had 2 children, Tamla and Berry Robinson. They were divorced in 1986 and he remarried Frances Glandney in 2002.

Smokey continues to compose great music. In April of 2004, he dropped his first gospel album, “Food for the Spirit”. His fans say that he sounds just as good as he did in the very first album he dropped.

Smokey was a big part of Motown’s 50th anniversary, which took place in 2009. He gave tours of the Motown museum and did interviews, serving as on of the main Motown faces.

COMPOSITION HISTORY

Oooo Baby BabySMOKEY ROBINSON

This song was written after he cheated on his wife

Pete Moore assisted in writing the song

The Miracles do the background harmonies

Was #4 on he Billboard Charts

One of the biggest hits and Smokey’s signature song

My GirlThe Temptations

Released in 1964 by Motown

The Temptations first and signature song

Robinson’s inspiration for the song was his wife Claudette

Originally for The Miracles

Never made it to the Billboard Charts here in the U.S.

The Way You Do The Things You Do

The Temptations Released in 1964 Hit the Billboard

Charts at #11 Smokey and

Rogers wrote this song while on tour with The Temptations

Eddie Kendricks sings lead in this song

You Beat Me To The PunchMary Wells

Co-written by Smokey and Ronnie White

Released in 1962 Won Grammy

nomination for best rhythm and blues recording

Smokey wrote many hits for her

I Want A Love I Can SeeThe Temptations

This song was not a hit at that time

Released in 1963 Paul Williams is the

lead vocals This is the first song

Smokey wrote for The Temptations

Lots of instruments in the song

The Tracks of My TearsSmokey Robinson & The Miracles

Hit song in 1965 Sold over 2 million

copies in first 2 years Started with a fellow

Miracle playing around with a tune

Became #2 on the Billboard Charts

The Miracles most recognized songs

Works Cited•http://www.biography.com/articles/Smokey-Robinson-9460972•http://www.notablebiographies.com/Pu-Ro/Robinson-Smokey.html•http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005373/bio•http://www.songwritershalloffame.org/exhibits/C176•http://www.worldlingo.com/ma/enwiki/en/Ooo_Baby_Baby•http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Want_a_Love_I_Can_See•http://www.whosdatedwho.com/music/songs/smokey-robinson.html

LISTENING GUIDE

Oooh Baby BabySmokey Robinson

It begins with drums Has basic

introduction, verse, chorus and bridge

The Miracles do the back up vocals

Instruments in the song are the drums, brass, strings and guitar

You Beat Me To The PunchMary Wells

Drums start off the song followed by many instruments and harmonies

Has verses, chorus and bridge

Ending of the song fades out

The Way You Do The Things You DoThe Temptations

Starts off with the guitar followed by drums, bass and piano

Has verses, chorus and a bridge

One person sings lead and remaining 4 sing back up

More instruments played during song

I Want a Love I Can SeeThe Temptations

Song starts with wood percussion made from Mexico

Drums, piano, bass and harmonizing

Has versus, chorus and bridge

Song fades out in the end

The Tracks of My TearsSmokey Robinson & the miracles

Starts off with 2 guitars playing different harmonies

Drums come in with maracas and bass

The Miracles do the back up vocals

Verses, chorus and bridge

Song fades out in the end

My GirlThe Temptations

Starts off with bass guitar and snapping

Has drums, pianos and harmonies

Has verses, chorus and bridge

Song fades out in the end

THE END