Smokey Robinson
“The poet of Motown, whose silken tenor and sly rhymes set love to music.”
In 1957 a teenage William 'Smokey' Robinson auditioned for songwriter Berry Gordy, who became his mentor. The encounter inspired Gordy to launch Motown Records, with Robinson and his group the Miracles delivering one of the label's first national hits, 'Shop Around'.
Detroit Dreamer
Born in Detroit in 1940, William Robinson formed a singing group as a teenager and earned the nickname Smokey early on. A pivotal audition for Berry Gordy set both their futures in motion.
Architect of Motown
As frontman of the Miracles and a gifted songwriter, Robinson gave Motown its first hits and a signature sound. He also served for decades as a vice president of the label, shaping its roster and catalog.
Poet of Soul
Famed for elegant, melodic songwriting, he penned hits for the Temptations, Mary Wells, and many others. A successful solo career and lifetime honors confirmed his standing as one of pop's master craftsmen.
Career Timeline
- 1940Born William Robinson Jr. in Detroit, Michigan
- 1955Forms vocal group that becomes the Miracles
- 1957Meets and impresses Berry Gordy
- 1960'Shop Around' becomes Motown's first big hit
- 1961Named a vice president of Motown Records
- 1965Releases 'The Tracks of My Tears'
- 1970'The Tears of a Clown' tops the charts
- 1972Retires from the Miracles to be an executive
- 1973Launches a successful solo career
- 1987Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- 2016Receives the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize
Biggest Hits
- Bob Dylan once reportedly called him 'America's greatest living poet'.
- He earned the childhood nickname 'Smokey' from an uncle who loved cowboy films.
The Moment You Remember
His tenor floats up through The Tracks of My Tears, turning a smile that hides heartbreak into one of pop's most quietly devastating images. The song showed how his elegant writing and tender voice could make sorrow sound almost beautiful.
Portrait: Ewingmason · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons