A Look At R&B Star Smokey Robinson's Career
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The famous R&B singer and songwriter has a net worth of $150 million and is credited with delivering the popular Motown sound of the 60’s and 70’s.
Smokey Robinson has performed as a group, as a solo artist and even produced hits for other famous groups like The Temptations and artists like Marvin Gaye. Just second in line to Motown founder Berry Gordy, serving as vice president for the record company, Robinson has written more than 4,000 songs and 37 Top 40 hits.
At 83-years-old, generations of R&B fans know his name and distinct voice as the classic sound of years gone by. His career has been one to watch and emulate for artists who grew up admiring the success and persistence in which Robinson has expressed.
Check out the career of Motown’s Smokey Robinson.
Becoming ‘Smokey’
William Robinson Jr. was born in 1940 in Detroit, MI in a poor area of town and just a few doors down from famed singers Aretha Franklin and Diana Ross. His Uncle Claude enjoyed taking Robinson to western films and the pair came up with his ‘cowboy name’, Smokey Joe. Eventually, he dropped the ‘Joe’ and began introducing himself as Smokey.
Even in high school, his love for creating music was apparent. He started a group called the Five Chimes, eventually renamed the Matadors. As the group toured throughout the late 1950’s, they changed their name again to the Miracles and hit a goldmine.
Joining Motown
In 1957, Robinson met a record producer named Berry Gordy and the group released their first single, “Got a Job” under Gordy’s label. By 1960, the group had followed Gordy through the renaming of record labels and under Motown Records, released the single, “Shop Around”, skyrocketing the group into stardom. According to Celebrity Net Worth, the single sold over a million copies and over the next 10 years, they released hit after hit, such as “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me”, “I Second That Emotion” and “The Tears of a Clown” with Stevie Wonder.
Due to Robinson’s leadership in the musical group, they changed their name once again, to Smokey Robinson & the Miracles in 1965. Meanwhile, Robinson was writing for other artists in the Motown Studio as well.
A Historic Group of Friends
He probably didn’t know it at the time, but Robinson rubbed elbows with some of the most famous R&B singers of all time. Not only were they friends, occasional lovers and fellow musicians, it was Robinson who was delivering the hit songs.
Marvin Gaye sang “Ain’t That Peculiar”, Mary Wells landed “My Guy” and the Temptations enjoyed a hit with “My Girl” – all written by Robinson. According to People, the talented songwriter also delivered the lyrics for The Supreme’s “Someday We’ll Be Together”, putting him in the room with former neighbor Diana Ross and other famous musicians.
Going Solo
Robinson left The Miracles in 1972 to focus on his role as Motown’s vice president and work on his solo career. His debut solo album “Smokey” and follow up album “Pure Smokey” received modest success, mainly due to competition with other solo artists he had written for in the past. His albums released in 1974 and 1983 finally cemented his solo career in history, achieving several chart-topping singles. In 1987, Robinson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his solo work, alongside Aretha Franklin, B.B. King and Marvin Gaye.
The Downside to Fame
In the mid-80’s, Robinson battled drug addiction. According to Biography, Robinson shared his cocaine problem in his autobiography, “Smokey: Inside My Life” and credits his recovery to his faith. The addiction followed the end of his 27-year marriage to Miracles band member Claudette Rogers. The couple had two children together, named after Gordy and the former Motown label, Tamla. After Robinson admitted to having a child through an affair in 1984, the couple divorced in 1986.
Finally Receiving Recognition
Though Robinson was inducted in the Rock in Roll Hall of Fame early in his career, it wasn’t until 2012 that The Miracles received the same honor. Robinson was honored to induct the group himself.
In 1990, the star was inducted into the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame. He also received a Grammy Legend Award that same year and in 1999, was the recipient of the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2006, he was recognized by the Kennedy Center for his contributions to the arts alongside Andrew Lloyd Webber, Dolly Parton and Steven Spielberg.
A Timely Reunion
In 2013, Broadway debuted a new performance, “Broadway’s Motown: The Musical”, prompting a host of celebrity reunions at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in New York City. Based on Gordy’s autobiography, “To Be Loved: The Music, the Magic, the Memories of Motown”, the successful run brought out Robinson, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder and many others for the premiere.
Still Spreading the Love
Robinson shows no signs of slowing down. He continues to perform live, engages in public speaking and explores new business investments. The star recently launched a food company called Smokey Robinson Foods, including a line of ready-to-eat meals. He’s continued to release solo albums; 2009, 2014 and 2017 and just recently in 2023, with an album titled “GASMS”. Despite times changing and the ups and downs of success, Robinson has proven he’s still a Motown fan and those that are following his career agree.
Sources: Celebrity Net Worth, People, Biography
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