William “Smokey” Robinson Jr. is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and former record executive director. He was the founder and frontman of the Motown vocal group the Miracles, for which he was also chief songwriter and producer.
He led the group from its 1955 origins as “the Five Chimes” until 1972, when he announced his retirement from the group to focus on his role as Motown’s vice president. However, Robinson returned to the music industry as a solo artist the following year. Robinson left Motown Records in 1990, following the sale of the company two years earlier.
What song did Smokey Robinson make famous?
Smokey Robinson stayed with The Miracles until 1972, embarking on a solo career and a vice presidency at Motown a year later. Smokey Robinson has had two UK Official Singles Chart Number 1s, in 1970 with The Miracles with Tears of A Clown and solo in 1981 with Being With You.
Robinson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and was awarded the 2016 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for his lifetime contributions to popular music. In 2022, he was inducted into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame.
