Smokey Robinson

Smokey Robinson is a great singer, famed songwriter, frontman of The Miracles, executive vice-president of Motown Records and a Hall of Famer.

Early Accomplishments

When he was 15, he enlisted friends to form Five Chimes which was renamed The Matadors 2 years later when 2 other friends joined. The group released their debut single Got A Job in 1957, under the name The Miracles with the help of Berry Gordy. 

In 1959, Robinson started college but stopped only after 2 months because of the success of his band.

Best Known For

His 7th solo record Love Breeze in 1978 is considered his most celebrated work, bested only by his Billboard chart-topping, Grammy-winning, gold certified album in 1987, One Heartbeat. 

With his group, Robinson has made 26 Top40 hits which includes Love Machine, Tracks of my Tears, Mickey’s Monkey and Tears of a Clown. 

Sexual Orientation

Smokey is straight. In his childhood days, he was neighbours with singer Diana Ross and they dated for a short while. 

His marriage to bandmate Claudette Rogers in 1959 broke down in 1987 due to his extramarital affairs. 

He has since been wedded to Frances Gladney from 2002.

Family

He is the only male child of parents William and Flossie Robinson and his sisters are Geraldine and Rose. He is the father of Berry and Tamla from ex-wife Claudette and also Trey from his extramarital affair.

Religion

Smokey practices Transcendental Meditation.

Worth To Know

Before fame, Smokey had already written 100 songs in a notebook he carried around.

He got his nickname Smokey Joe from his uncle who always took him to watch cowboy shows as a kid.

Smokey distinctively has golden green eyes.