Smokey Robinson is an American R&B and pop singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. He is known for creating the Motown sound, which was very famous from the 1950s to the 1970s.
Smokey was an important member of the Miracles, a singing group that did very well during the Motown era. Robinson went on to have a great solo career after he left this group.
He also worked for Motown Records as vice president. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame made Smokey Robinson a member in 1987.
Early Life
On February 19, 1940, William “Smokey” Robinson Jr. was born in Detroit, Michigan. William grew up in a poor family in the North End of Detroit. His uncle Claude gave him the nickname “Smokey” because he smelled like smoke.
Claude took William to see cowboy movies, and finally, he gave William his own “cowboy name,” “Smokey Joe.” From then on, young William told everyone he met that his name was Smokey Joe. At some point, he stopped using “Joe” and just went by “Smokey.”
Smokey formed a doo-wop group called the Five Chimes when he was in high school. Robinson loved music when he was young, and he listened to a lot of different acts on the radio.
Among these were Nolan Strong and the Diablos, Billy Ward and his Dominoes, and many others. His doo-wop group was called the Matadors in the end.
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The Career of Smokey Robinson
In the 1950s, Smokey Robinson got his start in the music business with his group, The Miracles. They had a string of hits on Motown Records, including “Shop Around,” “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me,” and “The Tears of a Clown.”
Robinson also wrote and produced a lot of songs for Motown acts like The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, and Mary Wells. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, he kept putting out solo albums and working with other acts.
What Did Smokey Robinson Do?
People think that Smokey Robinson is one of the best singers and musicians of all time. He is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame.
He has been given the National Medal of Arts and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Howard University also gave Robinson an honors doctorate.
Awards for Smokey Robinson
During his work, Smokey Robinson has won a lot of awards, including a Grammy for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for his song “Just to See Her.” He has also been nominated for several Grammys, including Album of the Year and Best R&B Album.
He has also won several American Music Awards, including Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist and Favorite Soul/R&B Album. Robinson also won the BET Lifetime Achievement Award and the Legend Award at the Soul Train Music Awards.
Relationship with Smokey Robinson
Robinson’s first wife was also a part of The Miracles. Her name was Claudette Rogers. After having two children with Rogers, Robinson had a third child with another woman. Because of this, they broke up in 1986. In 2002, Smokey got married to Frances Gladney.
Smokey Robinson’s Homes for Sale
In 2002, Robinson got $2.3 million for his house in Encino, California. This mansion was built in 1912 and has 10,600 square feet of living room, including an 800 square foot private deck.
The house is on a 1.5-acre lot with beautiful English-style grounds. In 2017, the well-known house was sold again for $8.3 million.
In 2014, it was said that Smokey would sell another California home for $7.99 million. This second home is in Chatsworth, a wealthy area of Los Angeles where many famous people live.
A 2,000-square-foot guest house is different from the main house on the 9-acre property. In 2005, Smokey put the house up for sale for $10.5 million. After having a hard time selling it in 2007, he put it back on the market for $10 million.
In 2014, the price was $7,990,000, which was a small amount.
How Much Will Smokey Robinson Make in 2023?
Smokey Robinson is an American R&B and pop singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record boss who is worth $150 million. Robinson is known for making the unique Motown sound, which was very famous from the 1950s to the 1970s.
During the Motown era, Smokey was a part of the popular vocal group The Miracles. Robinson left this group and went on to have a great solo career.
