How Smokey Robinson helped lead the rise of Motown

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As a devoted fan of Motown music, I can’t help but marvel at the extraordinary journey of Smokey Robinson and his profound impact on the label that revolutionized the music industry. Motown’s rich legacy is woven into the fabric of American music history, with iconic hits like “My Girl” and “The Tracks of My Tears.”

Motown significantly enriched the American music library with hits like “My Girl” and “The Tracks of My Tears.” These tunes, alongside numerous others, have earned enduring popularity. Given Motown’s reputation for exceptional songwriting, this success is hardly unexpected. Berry Gordy, its founder, first gained recognition writing songs for R&B legend Jackie Wilson.

An notable achievement of Gordy’s music career was finding and nurturing a talented young artist, who later on rose to become Vice President of Motown and an highly sought-after producer and songwriter. Known as Smokey Robinson, this individual left a significant mark in the organization.

As a talented singer myself, I had the privilege of leading my band, The Miracles, to international acclaim. Our hit single, “Shop Around,” was Motown’s first million-selling record. Under Berry Gordy’s guidance, I honed my skills and nurtured my talents. Together, we turned Motown into a beloved household name. It was an incredible honor for both of us to be recognized as the 2023 MusiCares Persons of the Year.

The story of Smokey Robinson and the Miracles

In 1957, when Berry Gordy encountered the seventeen-year-old William “Smokey” Robinson by chance, he recognized his raw talent. Impressing Gordy with a notebook filled with his compositions, Robinson showcased his songwriting abilities. With some refinement, Berry believed, Smokey had the capacity to create chart-topping tunes.

Gordy chose to mentor Robinson and help him express stories through music. This approach turned out to be the missing piece for Smokey. As he started understanding that songs consist of a clear structure with a beginning, progression, and resolution, Robinson blossomed into an exceptional songwriter.

In the early days of his music career, most of his chart-toppers were released under the name of his band, The Miracles. Some of their initial hits included “Shop Around,” “I’ll Try Something New,” “Mickey’s Monkey,” and “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me.” With his gift for poetic lyrics and the soothing, falsetto tone of his voice, The Miracles created a distinctive sound that took them to great heights. They were Motown’s pioneering artists, an achievement that Berry Gordy never failed to remember.

Smokey’s profound influence

Gordy and Robinson formed a deep bond, which in turn brought Smokey to the forefront within the Motown firm. Berry recognized Smokey as one of Motown’s most powerful talents and believed he could compose hits for other artists under the label. Robinson went beyond being just the Miracles’ lead vocalist and main songwriter; he became a pivotal creative influence that significantly contributed to Motown’s chart successes.

Robinson composed popular songs for artists like the Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Mary Wells, and the Marvelettes. Some of his tunes that became hits are “My Girl,” “Get Ready,” “The Way You Do the Things You Do,” “My Guy,” “You Beat Me to the Punch,” “Ain’t That Peculiar,” “I’ll Be Gone,” and “Don’t Touch My Man.”

An early composition of Smokey’s called “Who’s Lovin’ You” was initially recorded by the Miracles back in 1960. Nevertheless, this song is often linked to Michael Jackson, who released his version in 1969 and turned it into a massive success during his younger years.

The Miracles’ incredible comeback

In the early to mid-1960s, Smokey Robinson was kept occupied at Motown with composing and producing tunes for their artist roster. Although the Miracles continued recording sessions, some of their finest compositions didn’t see the light until the late 1960s and early 1970s. Notably, “The Tracks of My Tears” – Rolling Stone’s pick as the greatest Motown song ever – and the captivating ballad “Ooo Baby Baby,” were both released as singles from their 1965 album, “Going to a Go-Go.”

In 1967, two beloved upbeat tunes, “I Second That Emotion” and “More Love,” by The Miracles were introduced. Their most successful song and only No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, “The Tears of A Clown,” initially came out in 1967. However, it reached the pinnacle of the charts as a revised single version in 1970.

Smokey’s legacy

At around 85 years old, Smokey Robinson continues to travel throughout the country for performances. He had previously considered retirement but found that it wasn’t a good fit for him. As part of Motown’s founding generation, alongside Berry Gordy, Smokey remains dedicated to preserving Motown’s rich musical heritage. On the Fourth of July in 2024, he celebrated Motown’s 65th anniversary by performing on PBS’s A Capitol Fourth.

Modestly brilliant, Robinson shares openly about his professional journey. However, he never forgets to emphasize that Motown was primarily a close-knit family. Amidst fierce competition amongst artists, composers, and producers, there was a strong sense of camaraderie, with everyone extending assistance to one another.

In recognition of his musical talents, Smokey has been honored in several significant ways. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame back in 1983, joined the esteemed Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, and was bestowed with the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize in 2016. His music not only gained accolades from but influenced artists like the Beatles and Bob Dylan.

Smokey Robinson significantly contributed to Motown’s fame and success, arguably more than any other individual besides Berry Gordy. At Motown’s inception, Smokey was instrumental in getting the label off the ground and wrote many of its most iconic songs. Over the years, he worked closely with Gordy as his trusted right-hand man.

For music enthusiasts and Motown aficionados, Smokey Robinson stands as a vibrant testament to history, having contributed significantly to Motown’s rich legacy. Motown prided itself on producing music for everyone, irrespective of ethnicity or social standing. Amidst the tumultuous era of the Civil Rights Movement, Motown harnessed the power of music to bridge divides and foster unity.

Smokey played a crucial role in this initiative and utilized his talents to spread joy to countless individuals around the globe. He deserves continuous admiration and respect for this achievement.

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2024-07-23 16:00