William “Smokey” Robinson Jr., a vocalist, composer, record producer, and former record executive director from the United States, was born on February 19, 1940. Robinson formed and led the Miracles, a Motown singing group for which he also functioned as the primary songwriter and producer. From its inception as “the Five Chimes” in 1955 until 1972, when he announced his departure to focus on his duties as Motown’s vice president, he was in charge of the group. Robinson, on the other hand, returned to the music industry as a solo musician the following year. Robinson left Motown Records in 1990 after the company was sold in 1988.
Robinson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, and the Library of Congress awarded him the Gershwin Prize in 2016 for his lifetime contributions to popular music.
Early Life:
On February 19, 1940, William “Smokey” Robinson Jr. was born in Detroit, Michigan. William was raised in a poor family in Detroit’s North End, and his uncle Claude gave him the nickname “Smokey.” Claude took William to see cowboy movies and gave him the nickname “Smokey Joe” as his own “cowboy moniker.” From then on, the young William addressed everyone as Smokey Joe. He ultimately dropped “Joe” and adopted the moniker “Smokey.”
While still in high school, Smokey formed the Five Chimes, a doo-wop group. Robinson was infatuated with music as a child and listened to a wide variety of artists on the radio. Among them were Nolan Strong & the Diablos, Billy Ward and His Dominoes, and many others. Later, his doo-wop group was dubbed the Matadors.
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Smokey Robinson’s Salary and Net Worth in 2022
As of January 2022, Smokey Robinson’s total net assets are estimated to exceed the US $120 million. Because he was a well-known singer, composer, and record producer, he was granted the money. He was also a member of a rock band, which added greatly to his fortune.
Smokey Robinson’s Career
‘Smokey,’ Robinson’s solo comeback album, was released in 1973. The CD included the Miracles tribute song “Sweet Harmony” as well as the big hit “Baby Come Close.” ‘Pure Smokey,’ his second album, was published in 1974.
A Quiet Storm, his third album, was released in 1975. His solo career, on the other hand, suffered because, while still serving as Motown’s vice president, he relied on other writers and producers to help him with his records. After the corporation was sold to MCA in 1988, Robinson quit as vice president.
Robinson wrote the hit song “Cruisin,” which reached number one in the Cash Box and number four on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also his first number one in New Zealand as a solo artist.
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The tracks “Just to See Her” and “One Heartbeat” from Robinson’s album “One Heartbeat” charted in the Top 10 on Billboard’s Pop, Soul, and Adult Contemporary charts in 1987.
Personal life:
Smokey Robinson married Frances Gladney in May 2002. The couple owns a house near Pittsburgh that they have converted into a vineyard.
In 1959, Smokey married Claudette Rogers, a coworker. The couple’s two children are Berry Robinson, a male, and Tamra Robinson, a girl. Trey Robinson, Robinson’s son, was born in 1984, shortly after his marriage to Claudette. The pair later separated and divorced in 1986.
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Robinson’s beautiful green eyes are also well-known. Additionally, he practices transcendental meditation.
Height, weight, and age
Smokey Robinson was born on February 19, 1940, and on January 3, 2022, he will be 81 years old. He is 5 feet 10.5 inches tall and weighs 82 kilograms.
Songs by Smokey Robinson
- I Am I Am
- Baby That’s Backatcha
- The Agony and the Ecstasy
- Quiet Storm
- Open
- When You Came
- An Old Fashioned Man
- Sweet Harmony
- Baby Come Close
- It’s Her Turn to Live
- Just My Soul Responding
- Virgin Man
