Smokey Robinson
Biography
Berry Gordy founded Motown Records, but one could argue that Smokey Robinson was the man who first pushed America's most iconic soul music label toward greatness. As the leader of the Miracles, Robinson was one of the very first artists signed to the fledgling label in 1959, and while he racked up many hits for it with the Miracles and as a solo act, Robinson was also an invaluable behind-the-scenes talent who wrote songs, produced records, scouted and groomed talent, and served as a vice president at Motown from 1961 to 1988. Robinson is one of the most iconic figures in American R&B; his work helped defined pop-oriented soul, his lush, romantic R&B ballads literally gave quiet storm its name, and no less an authority than Bob Dylan has called Robinson "America's greatest living poet.". William Robinson, Jr. was born in Detroit, Michigan on February 19, 1940. He grew up in Detroit's Brewster housing project, and picked up the nickname "Smokey Joe" from his Uncle Claude, which quickly stuck. Robinson first developed an interest in music by investigating his mother's record collection, which included classic sides by Sarah Vaughan, Billy Eckstine, Muddy Waters, and John Lee Hooker. Robinson's mother died when he was ten, and since his father was frequently on the road making his living as a truck driver, young Smokey was looked after by his older sister Geraldine, and in his early teens he began singing, performing in informal doo wop groups with his friends.
Top Albums |
1. A Quiet Stor..
| 2. Smokey &..
| 3. 20th Century..
| 4. My World: Th..
| 5. Time Flies W..
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6. The Definiti..
| 7. Ooo Baby Bab..
| 8. Timeless Lov..
| 9. The 35th Ann..
| 10. Love Songs
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11. Make It Happ..
| 12. One Heartbea..
| 13. 20th Century..
| 14. 20th Century..
| 15. Yes It's You..
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16. The Stripped..
| 17. Lost and Fou..
| 18. Pure Smokey
| 19. The Solo Ant..
| 20. Touch the Sk..
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Top Songs |
| Name | Album | Time | Price | |
1. | Cruisin' | 20th Century Masters - The .. | 4:29 | $1.29 | |
2. | My Girl | Smokey & Friends | 4:31 | $1.29 | |
3. | Ooh Baby Baby | Smokey & Friends | 3:00 | $1.29 | |
4. | You Really Got a Hold On Me | Smokey & Friends | 3:25 | $1.29 | |
5. | Being With You | 35th Anniversary Collection.. | 4:02 | $1.29 | |
6. | Quiet Storm | Smokey & Friends | 4:58 | $1.29 | |
7. | Tracks of My Tears | Smokey & Friends | 3:27 | $1.29 | |
8. | Cruisin' | Smokey & Friends | 4:53 | $1.29 | |
9. | Being With You | Smokey & Friends | 4:15 | $1.29 | |
10. | Cruisin' | My World: The Definitive Co.. | 5:53 | $1.29 | |
11. | Just to See Her | One Heartbeat | 4:04 | $1.29 | |
12. | Tears of a Clown | Smokey & Friends | 3:23 | $1.29 | |
13. | Ain't That Peculiar | Smokey & Friends | 3:47 | $1.29 | |
14. | Agony and the Ecstasy | Quiet Storm | 4:49 | $1.29 | |
15. | One Heartbeat | One Heartbeat | 4:07 | $1.29 | |
16. | Cruisin' | 35th Anniversary Collection.. | 4:31 | $1.29 | |
17. | You've Really Got a Hold On Me | Summer Kisses - 100 Tracks .. | 3:00 | $0.99 | |
18. | Just a Touch Away | Touch the Sky | 3:39 | $1.29 | |
19. | Don't Play Another Love Song | Touch the Sky | 4:54 | $1.29 | |
20. | I've Made Love to You a Thousand.. | Touch the Sky | 5:47 | $1.29 | |
21. | Dynamite | Touch the Sky | 4:38 | $1.29 | |
22. | Sad Time | Touch the Sky | 4:24 | $1.29 | |
23. | All My Life's a Lie | Touch the Sky | 3:59 | $1.29 | |
24. | Gone Again | Touch the Sky | 3:43 | $1.29 | |
25. | Even Tho' | Touch the Sky | 3:48 | $1.29 | |
Top Music Videos |
1. Ebony Eyes (S...
| 2. Sleepin' In
| 3. Don't Know Wh...
| 4. Glow
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