Smokey Robinson Height, Weight, Religion, Net Worth, Age, Biography

About (Profile/Biography):
William "Smokey" Robinson Jr. is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer born on February 19, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan. As founder of the Motown vocal group The Miracles and one of Motown Records' most prolific songwriters, Robinson helped define the label's distinctive sound. His smooth falsetto vocals, poetic lyrics, and contributions to R&B and soul music have cemented his legacy as one of America's greatest musical treasures. Known for his elegant stage presence and remarkable songwriting abilities, Robinson has crafted timeless classics that continue to resonate with audiences worldwide. His career spans over six decades, demonstrating remarkable longevity in an industry known for fleeting success. Beyond his musical talents, Robinson's business acumen helped build Motown into a cultural institution that transformed American popular music.
Early Life of Smokey Robinson
• Young Smokey grew up in Detroit's North End neighborhood, where he earned his nickname "Smokey" from an uncle who was fond of cowboy movies and gave many family members Western-themed nicknames.
• The singer formed his first musical group, the Five Chimes, while still attending Northern High School, where his early songwriting talents began to shine despite facing economic hardships in his community.
• After a failed audition with Brunswick Records in 1957, Robinson's fateful meeting with Berry Gordy Jr. would change music history, as Gordy became his mentor and helped launch his professional career.
Career Breakthrough for Smokey Robinson
• The velvet-voiced performer founded The Miracles in 1955, which became Motown's first successful group with their 1960 hit "Shop Around," reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and selling over a million copies.
• Smokey served as both artist and executive, becoming vice president of Motown Records in 1961, where he wrote and produced hits not only for himself but also for acts like Mary Wells, The Temptations, and Marvin Gaye.
• The songwriter's poetic lyrics in classics like "The Tracks of My Tears" and "The Tears of a Clown" demonstrated his gift for expressing complex emotions through accessible language that resonated across racial and cultural barriers.
Smokey Robinson’s Solo Career
• After leaving The Miracles in 1972, Robinson launched a successful solo career with the release of his debut album "Smokey," followed by his breakthrough solo hit "Cruisin'" in 1979, proving his staying power beyond his group years.
• The music icon experienced a remarkable career resurgence in 1987 with his Grammy-winning album "Just to See Her," which introduced his talents to a new generation of listeners during the MTV era.
• Though maintaining his signature smooth sound, Smokey adapted to changing musical landscapes throughout the decades, collaborating with contemporary artists while never compromising his artistic integrity or distinctive vocal style.
Awards and Recognition received by Smokey Robinson
• The music pioneer was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, with Bob Dylan famously calling him "America's greatest living poet," acknowledging his profound impact on songwriting across all musical genres.
• Smokey received the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song in 2016, one of America's highest musical honors, celebrating his lifetime contributions to promoting song as a vehicle for cultural understanding.
• The iconic performer was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999, followed by the Kennedy Center Honors in 2006, cementing his status as one of America's most treasured cultural contributors.
Smokey Robinson’s Influence on Music
• The songwriting maestro created what became known as the "Motown Sound," characterized by sophisticated lyrics matched with accessible melodies that helped bridge racial divides during America's turbulent civil rights era.
• His distinctive falsetto vocals influenced countless artists across generations, from Michael Jackson and Mariah Carey to John Legend and Bruno Mars, who have all cited Smokey as a primary vocal inspiration.
• The music legend's prolific output included over 4,000 songs throughout his career, many becoming standards in American music and demonstrating his remarkable consistency and creative longevity in an often fickle industry.
Lesser-Known Facts about Smokey Robinson
• The musical genius struggled with severe cocaine addiction throughout the early 1980s, a battle he kept largely private until later discussing it in his 1989 autobiography "Smokey: Inside My Life," crediting his Christian faith for his recovery.
• Despite his celebrated songwriting, Robinson never learned to read or write music notation, instead creating his compositions by ear and relying on his innate musical sensibilities to craft his melodies and harmonies.
• The legend turned down an opportunity to sign with Motown rival Stax Records in the late 1960s, despite being offered significantly more money, choosing loyalty to Berry Gordy and the Motown family over financial gain.