Tag Archives: Smokey Robinson

Music Monday: November 17, 2025

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

One of the architects of the Motown label turned 85 this year. William “Smokey” Robinson Jr. was born February 19, 1940 in Detroit, Michigan. The music icon started singing as a teenager in a doo wop group, The Five Chimes, with future Miracles members Ronald White and Pete Moore. By 1957 Bobby Rogers and his cousin, Emerson (Sonny) Rogers joined them under the new group name, The Matadors. Emerson was replaced that year by his sister, Claudette Rogers, when he enlisted in the Army.

In 1958 Marv Tarplin joined the group who was touring Detroit clubs as The Miracles. That year they released their first single, “Got a Job” with the help of Berry Gordy who they met when they auditioned for Brunswick Records the year before. When he founded Tamala Records in 1959, The Miracles were one of the first groups signed to the label. Robinson became one of its top performers, songwriters and soon its Vice President.

The Miracles circa 1962 (L-R): Bobby Rogers, Marv Tarplin, Ronnie White, Smokey Robinson and Claudette Rogers Robinson (not pictured Warren Pete Moore). (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Miracles released six albums between 1961 and 1964. In 1965, they became known as Smokey Robinson & The Miracles. The first album under their new name-Going to a Go-Go-was released 60 years ago in November 1965 (The Rolling Stones released a fabulous live cover of the title track in 1982).

And 55 years ago they released the single, “Tears of a Clown”, in July 1970. It was first introduced in 1967 on the album, Make It Happen. The track reached the #1 spot in the country for two weeks in December 1970. The group released nearly a dozen albums together until 1972 when Robinson went solo and the remaining members became known once again as The Miracles.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

He married Claudette in 1959 and they had two children before they divorced in 1986. Throughout his 60+ years in entertainment, Robinson has received numerous awards and accolades that continue in the present. In April 2025, he was one of the honorees at the third annual American Music Honors show, presented by The Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music on April 26, 2025 at The Pollak Theatre at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey. Robinson is also currently on tour and the dates are available on his website.

A performance at the third annual American Music Honors show on April 26, 2025 at The Pollak Theatre in New Jersey featured (L-R): Bruce Springsteen, Marc Ribler, Steven Van Zandt and Robinson. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Temptin’ Temptations was released 60 years ago on November 1, 1965. It was their third album for Motown and the first single-which came out five months earlier-was a Top 20 hit, peaking at #17 in August 1965.

Earlier that year in March they released their second album, The Temptations Sing Smokey, which contains their signature tune released in December 1964 & featured the inimitable David Ruffin on lead vocal. It became the group’s first #1 record, hitting the top spot for one week in March 1965 (Three more #1 songs would follow: “I Can’t Get Next To You” in 1969, “Just My Imagination (Running Away From Me)” in 1971 and “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone” in 1972). In their career the Temptations charted 53 times with 15 Top Ten songs. They remain one of Motown’s most successful groups and one of my personal favorites.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Stephen Stills released his eponymous debut solo album 55 years ago on Nov 16, 1970. The singer/songwriter/musician/producer-who turned 80 in January-wrote all 10 tracks himself & the first single peaked at #14 in January 1971. The front cover photo was taken by Henry Diltz who also took the cover picture for Crosby, Stills & Nash’s 1969 debut album. Before becoming a member of that supergroup, Stills had established his talents in Buffalo Springfield, so it made sense that several guests joined him on his solo record including John Sebastian, Cass Elliot and Stills’ bandmates-David Crosby & Graham Nash-on backing vocals. Several acclaimed musicians also appear on the album including Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Booker T. Jones and Jimi Hendrix, who died two months before the album was released. He befriended Stills in 1967 at the Monterey Pop Festival, leading Stills to dedicate the album to him in the liner notes under his formal name, James Marshall Hendrix.

“Well there’s a rose in a fisted glove
And the eagle flies with the dove
And if you can’t be with the one you love honey
Love the one you’re with”.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: “Going to a Go-Go” (1965, written by Pete Moore, William “Smokey” Robinson Jr., Bobby Rogers and Marv Tarplin).

Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: “The Tears of a Clown” (1970, written by Hank (Henry) Cosby, William “Smokey” Robinson Jr. and Stevie Wonder).

The Temptations: “My Girl” (1964, written William “Smokey” Robinson Jr. and Ronald White).

The Temptations: “Since I Lost My Baby” (1965, written by Pete Moore and William “Smokey” Robinson Jr.).

Stephen Stills: “Love The One You’re With” (1970, written by Stephen Stills).

Stephen Stills: “Church (Part Of Someone)” (1970, written by Stephen Stills). ​

Stay safe & well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 426

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

May blog 2021

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

Today’s song hit the #1 spot on the chart today in 1964 where it would stay for two consecutive weeks. It is by the beautiful elegant Queen Of Motown, Mary Wells. She was born May 13, 1943 in Michigan and started singing in her church choir. She auditioned for Berry Gordy in 1960 when he was 17 years old.

He had her work with Smokey Robinson who wrote many of her hits, including her first three released in 1962: “The One Who Really Loves You”, “You Beat Me To The Punch” & “Two Lovers”. But 1964 was the biggest year of her career thanks to today’s song, her duet album with Marvin Gaye entitled Together & her role as the first Motown performer to play in the United Kingdom when she was invited to open for The Beatles on that leg of their tour.

But Wells became displeased with the way Motown operated and despite alleged attempts by Gordy to renegotiate the deal she signed when she was 17, Wells was released from her contract per her request. However, that arrangement meant she could not receive any royalties from her former label.

She had some minor success after leaving Motown but decided to retire in 1974 to raise her four children. But she suffered from many afflictions including depression. a suicide attempt and drug use. In 1990 she was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer which led to her death at age 49 in 1992. Her old collaborator Smokey Robinson delivered the eulogy for the woman most fans remember as The First Lady Of Motown.

“As a matter of opinion I think he’s tops
My opinion is he’s the cream of the crop
As a matter of taste to be exact
He’s my ideal as a matter of fact“.

Mary_Wells_1965

Mary Wells circa 1965. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Mary Wells: “My Guy” (1964, written by William “Smokey” Robinson Jr.).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 226

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Thoreau quote 2

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day.  And if this helps anyone else, even better.

Time for a long overdue mid-week Motown break. Today’s song has been covered as a gorgeous ballad by both Luther Vandross (in 1982) and Michael McDonald (in 2003). The uptempo 1965 original by The Temptations features music not only by The Funk Brothers but by The Detroit Symphony Orchestra as well. It was co-written by Smokey Robinson, features the incomparable David Ruffin on lead vocal with an assist from bass singer Melvin Franklin & those luscious backing harmonies. It’s another of The Temps exquisite lost love songs that only Ruffin could tell. The addition of the orchestra only amplifies the power and heartbreak of each note he sings. I think if the heart made noise when it was crying, it would sound exactly like Ruffin’s trademark pleading vocal.

“Oh, determination is fading fast
Inspiration is a thing of the past
Can’t see how my hope’s gonna last
Good things are bad and what’s happy is sad“.

Temps 2

The Temptations circa 1965. Standing (L-R): Paul Williams. Eddie Kendricks and Melvin Franklin, Seated (L-R): Otis Williams & David Ruffin. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Temptations: “Since I Lost My Baby” (1965, written by Warren (Pete) Moore and William “Smokey” Robinson Jr.).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 163

Posted in Music by

Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Bruce quote

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day.  And if this helps anyone else, even better.

Time for another mid-week Motown break.  When two of The Miracles, Ronald White and Smokey Robinson, co-wrote “My Girl”, the latter did it with another Miracles group member in mind, Claudette Rogers.  She joined the group in 1957 after her brother & group founding member, Emerson “Sonny” Rogers, was drafted.  The song was originally meant for The Miracles to record in 1964, but The Temptations wanted to have their newest member, David Ruffin, sing it instead.  Robinson gave in, and the song not only became The Temps first #1 hit but their signature tune as well.  However, Robinson got the girl, at least for a while.  He & Claudette were married in 1959 and divorced in 1986.  The have two children together, a son and a daughter.

In 1987, the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame made one of the most bizarre and controversial decisions ever (or at least until 2010 when they let Abba in) by inducting only Smokey Robinson into the HOF without any of The Miracles.  However that situation was corrected in 2012 when The Miracles, including Claudette, were inducted by Robinson himself.

“I don’t like you, but I love you
Seems that I’m always thinking of you
Oh, oh, oh, you treat me badly
I love you madly, you really got a hold on me“.

The Miracles

The Miracles in 1962, clockwise from top left: Bobby Rogers, Marv Tarplin, Ronald White, Claudette Robinson, and Smokey Robinson.  (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Miracles:  “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me” (1962, written by William “Smokey” Robinson Jr.).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.