Smokey Robinson The Soul of Motown Presentation by: Cynthia Toro Music 1010 Fall 2018

Biography Early Life and Education Born February 19, 1940 Grew up in Detroit Michigan Graduated from North High School Smokey Robinson was born into a poor family located at the north end of Detroit Michigan. Smokey Robinson’s real name is (William Robinson Jr.), his uncle Claude gave him that name when he was a little boy. Smokey loved listening to his mother’s records, which included B. B. King, Muddy Waters and others, this music was his first inspirational thing he had. At the age of 10 Smokey’s mom passed away and his sister Geraldine took him in and raised him and her ten children. Although they were poor, they were a very close net family. After he graduated from high school, he decided to attend barber school and dentistry, but Smokey decided to focus on what he loved most, his music. In 2009, Smokey Robinson received an honorary doctorate degree  and gave a commencement speech at Berklee College of Music’s Ceremony.

Biography Early in life Formed a group called the “Miracles” in 1955 Music of Genre was Doo-Wop, R&B, Soul Instruments he play’s are Piano, Guitar and Vocalist Singer, Song Writer and record producer While in high school Smokey spent a lot of his time writing songs and performing in local venues with bands. By 1955 at the age of 15, Smokey decided to form a rhythm and blues group with child hood friend's and they called themselves the “Matadors” but then 3 years later changed the name to the “Miracles” when Claudette Rogers joined the group. In 1958 the Miracles had their first break and met Berry Gordy during at an audition with another producer. Berry Gordy was very impressed with Smokey Robinson’s ambition for music and his vocal. Smokey Robinson has written 100 songs by the time he was in high school.

Biography Smokey Robinson and the Miracles The Miracles are also know as “Smokey Robinson and the Miracles from 1965-1972. Original Miracles are: Pete Moore, Bobby Rogers, Claudette Rogers, Ronnie White, William “Smokey” Robinso Motown Records Smokey Robinson and the Miracles were signed by Berry Gordy in 1958. Berry Gordy is a record producer and is best know as the founder of Motown record labels which was the highest-earning African –American business for decades. Berry Gordy collaborated with Robinson on lyrics and tunes, not only for the group but for other artists as well. By the 1960’s the Miracles flourished and there single “Shop Around” hit the charts and was Motown’s first million selling record, which helped launch Motown Landmark Production Company (Motown Records).

Biography – Music, song writer, Singer 1960- Growth of Motown Song Writer for new Artist Vice President of Motown Throughout the 1960s, Motown sound competed with the music of the British invasion, the sudden appearance of popular bands by the Beatles and Rolling Stones who the young Americans were intrigued with at that time. Robinson and the Miracles were favorites of Motown and earning six gold records including “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me”, “ I Second That Emotion”, “Ooo Baby Baby”. By 1968 Robinson and the Miracles had a single “Tears of a Clown” this song became a number one hit in England before the United States. Robinson and the Miracles were known as the “First Star Quality Group” and continued to grow in stardom for decades. Motown Records began to introduce other artists such as Diana Ross and the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and the Temptations. By 1972 Smokey Robinson left the group to focus more on his career as Vice President of Motown. As a song writer Smokey is known for his hits songs such as the Temptations “My Girl”, Diana Ross & the Supremes, “Your Heart Belongs to Me”, Marvin Gaye “Aint that Peculiar, Mary Wells “The one Who Really Loves You” and many others. Smokey Robinson

Music History Rock N Roll Hall of Fame Received 3 Grammy Award and nominated once. BET award Soul Train Music Award In 1972 Smokey Robinson retired from the Miracles and after one year, he returned to the music industry as a solo artist. By this time Motown Records had moved from Detroit to Los Angeles. As time has passed Robinson describes his music now as more thoughtful and mellow since the Miracles. As Robinson continued to write songs, he had composed one song on his guitar and then later wrote the lyrics. This song was his first solo top ten Pop single ‘Cruisin”. The song hit number one in Cash Box and number four on billboard Hot 100. It also hit number one in New Zealand. As his career flourished, he was also recognized over decades of the work he produced. In 1987 Robinson was inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and was also awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame In. In 1988 he received his first Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. In 1989 He was also inducted to the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame. In 1993 he also received a medal at the National Medal of Arts.. Robinson has been recognized for all his accomplishments in the music industry as a Writer, Singer, Executive Producer. In 2005 he was voted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame as well. Robinson also received BET Lifetime Achievement Award. Also with many awards he was also was inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in his hometown of Detroit, Michigan.

Smokey Robinson Singer Song Writer Record Producer Record Executive From 1955- to the present-day Smokey Robinson continues to write songs and produce records for other artist’s including himself. He had worked for Motown, Universal and SBK through out his career. After Motown was having financial issues in the 80’s it was sold to MCA for $61 Million in 1988. Not soon after Robinson relinquished his position as Vice President and signed with SBK Records in 1991 and has continued his music journey. As continues as a song writer and singer, Smokey Robinson will make his debut in Feb. 2019 with his new show, “Live in Vegas” at the Wynn. With more than 4 decades of hits and numerous awards this Motown legend is definitely the Soul of Motown.

Listening Guide Tear of a Clown Tears of Clown song recorded in 1967 Vocals, Bassoon, Piccolo R&B, Soul, Soul Pop Key G Major When Smokey Robinson wrote the song, he thought of clowns how they are supposed to be happy and fun and always entertaining people……. so “Tears of a Clown" means when you put on a happy face to please people, but deep down you are really upset. This is how he wrote the song.

Listening Guide Tear of a Clown 0:00 Music only – instruments are guitar, piano 0:12 Single vocalist 0:31 Single vocalist and back up singers 0:55 1:06 Single vocalist and piano guitar 1:06-1:09 Single vocalist and instruments bassoon and Piccolo 1:10-1:52 Vocalist and back up singers A variety of instruments were used to create the circus sound including a bassoon and a piccolo which were played by Jim Horn.

Listening guide cruisin Cruisin song was recorded in 1979 Soul & R & B music violin, viola and cello, shakers, piccolo Key E Major Cruisin was Smokey Robinson’s first solo song in 1979, the music was written by music by Robinsons close friend since 1961,Marv Tauplin. When Robinson heard it, he really enjoyed it but could not write a song for it. He did however write 3 songs, but it just did not fit the music, finally after 5 years Robinson had written Cruisin.

Listening guide 0.0-0:13 just instrument music 0:14 Solo vocal instruments 0:15-1:01 Solo vocal instruments 1:02-1:22 Single vocal and back-up singers 1:23-2:07 Single vocal and instruments 2:08-2:31 2:32-2:39 Back up singer only Features a predominant string section which employs violin, viola and cello, as well as shakers and light percussion, while sleigh bells are featured in the chorus. Flutist Lauryn Vivino contributes with piccolo.

Bibliography and REferences  https://www.notablebiographies.com/Pu-Ro/Robinson- Smokey.html#ixzz5Wfh1IeUb https://www.motownmuseum.org/visit/direct https://www.notablebiographies.com/Pu-Ro/Robinson- Smokey.html https://www.businessinsider.com/motown-most-successful- artists-a-retrospective-2018-2 https://www.songhall.org/profile/Smokey_Robinson