Smokey Robinson
Born William Robinson on February 19, 1940 in Detroit, “Smokey” was a natural nickname for the grey-green eyed singer/songwriter. Robinson was lead singer of The Miracles as well as a key songwriter for many Motown recording artists (including Mary Wells, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, and The Four Tops). He had a major role in the success of Motown records, as evidenced by the fact that Barry Gordy appointed him Vice President in 1961. Smokey Robinson's role as performer and songwriter led him to write/produce hundreds of songs, some of the most popular to ever hit the air waves. Bob Dylan once called Smokey Robinson the “greatest American living poet .” His songs explore all aspects of love and his observations have become engrained in American culture. Some of his most famous/popular songs include “My Girl,” “My Guy,” “Ain't That Peculiar” “Tears of a Clown,” “Get Ready,” "I Second That Emotion," "The Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage," "The Tracks of My Tears," “Who's Lovin' You,” and “Still water (runs deep).” He has received the Grammy's Living Legend Award and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Miracles in 1987.
Robinson has influenced countless musicians and many bands have covered his songs. Just a few of those include the Beatles ("You've Really Got a Hold on Me"), the Rolling Stones ("Going to a Go-Go"), Terence Trent D'Arby ("Who's Lovin' You"), Johnny Rivers ("The Tracks of My Tears"), Linda Ronstadt ("Ooo Baby Baby," "The Tracks of My Tears"), Kim Carnes ("More Love"), Rare Earth ("Get Ready"), the English Beat ("The Tears of a Clown"), Rita Coolidge ("The Way You Do the Things You Do"), and Luther Vandross ("Since I Lost My Baby").
In addition, Robinson's music is important to The Wallflowers. This fact is evident in the by their frequent covers of "Tears of a Clown", "Tracks of My Tears" and “My Girl” at concerts.
"As for influences, Dylan cites several favorites. "Elvis Costello is amazing. And I've always loved Smokey Robinson's words. `Tears of a Clown' is something I wish I had written.'' (St. Paul Pioneer Press 3.22.97)
