SMOKEY ROBINSON

William “Smokey” Robinson Jr. is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. He has achieved great success as a member of the Miracles. In an outstanding career spanning six decades, he has laid an unparalleled position for himself. He is a native of the Motor City, and he became interested in music when he was very young. He founded his first band called the Five Chimes. His career and life is closely tied up with Berry Gordy.

Although Berry Gordy founded Motown Records, one can say that Smokey Robinson was the first to promote America’s most iconic soul music. As the leader of the Miracles, Robinson was one of the first artists to sign with the start-up record company in 1959. Although he has achieved many successes with the Miracles, Robinson is invaluable. He has written songs, produced records, tapped talent, and served as vice president at Motown. His work helped define the soul of pop music, and Bob Dylan referred to Robinson as “America’s greatest living poet.”