Smokey Robinson
Smokey Robinson is a Detroit-born soul singer, songwriter, and producer whose music connects the Miracles, Motown classics, and a solo career still bringing him to the stage.
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Latest
Smokey’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus his backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
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Motown
Gaither MusicOverview
- Born
- February 19, 1940 · Detroit, Michigan
- Name
- William “Smokey” Robinson Jr.
- Work
- Singer, songwriter, producer, and former Motown vice president
- Breakout
- “Shop Around” with the Miracles, 1960
- Latest album
- What the World Needs Now, 2025
Mini bio
How it started.
Smokey grew up in Detroit and formed the group that became the Miracles while attending Northern High School. Berry Gordy became his mentor. Their 1960 single “Shop Around” became Motown’s first million-selling record.
Inside Motown.
He sang and wrote for the Miracles while helping shape other artists’ records. His songs include “The Tracks of My Tears” and “Ooo Baby Baby”; with Ronald White, he wrote and produced the Temptations’ “My Girl.” He also served as Motown’s vice president, producer, and talent scout.
A voice of his own.
His solo catalog includes A Quiet Storm, “Cruisin’,” and “Being With You.” The title and atmosphere of A Quiet Storm inspired a radio format built around mellow R&B and light jazz. “Just To See Her” brought him the 1988 GRAMMY for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male.
Still sharing songs.
His 2025 album What the World Needs Now pairs familiar songs of encouragement with a Temptations collaboration. Alongside performing, he shares music and memories through Smokey’s Soul Town on SiriusXM. His official biography lists the Legacy of Love tour as continuing through 2026.
Creditschronological, newest first
Music
- 2025What the World Needs NowSinger; includes “Be Kind To The Growing Mind” with the Temptations
- 1981Being With YouSinger and songwriter
- 1979Cruisin’Singer, songwriter, and producer
- 1975A Quiet StormSolo artist; co-wrote the title song with Rose Ella Jones
- 1965The Tracks of My TearsMiracles lead singer, co-writer, and producer
- 1964My Girl · The TemptationsCo-writer and co-producer with Ronald White
- 1960Shop Around · The MiraclesLead singer and co-writer with Berry Gordy
Television
- 2024A Motown ChristmasCo-host with Halle Bailey
Awards
- American Music Honors2025 · Honoree at the Monmouth University celebration
- Gershwin Prize for Popular Song2016 · Library of Congress honoree
- GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award1999 · Recording Academy lifetime honor
- GRAMMY Legend Award1990 · Recording Academy honor
- GRAMMY Award1988 · Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male, for “Just To See Her”
- Rock & Roll Hall of Fame1987 · Inducted in the Performer category
Quotes
I enjoy writing songs, period, manSmokey Robinson, TIDAL Magazine
In a May 2025 interview, he discussed the pleasure of writing for himself and other artists.
Trivia
- An uncle gave him the cowboy nickname “Smokey Joe” when he was a child.
- He originally wrote “Shop Around” for Barrett Strong before Berry Gordy persuaded him to sing it himself.
- He named Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On as his favorite album in his 2025 TIDAL interview.
- Before his music career took off, he delivered Western Union telegrams by bicycle.
- His sister Rose Ella Jones helped him write “Quiet Storm.”
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