William “Smokey” Robinson Jr. (born February 19, 1940) is a singer, composer, record producer, and former record executive director from the United States. Robinson founded and fronted the Motown singing group the Miracles, for which he also served as main songwriter and producer. He oversaw the group from its inception as “the Five Chimes” in 1955 until 1972, when he announced his resignation to focus on his work as Motown’s vice president. Robinson, on the other hand, returned to the music industry the following year as a solo performer. Robinson departed Motown Records in 1990, following the sale of the firm in 1988.
Robinson was elected into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and received the Gershwin Prize from the Library of Congress in 2016 for his lifelong contributions to popular music.
Early Life:
William “Smokey” Robinson Jr. was born in Detroit, Michigan on February 19, 1940. William was raised in a destitute family in Detroit’s North End and was given the nickname “Smokey” by his uncle Claude. Claude took William to attend cowboy movies, and finally gave him his own “cowboy name,” “Smokey Joe.” From so on, the young William addressed himself as Smokey Joe to everyone. He eventually ditched “Joe” and went by “Smokey.”
Smokey formed the Five Chimes, a doo-wop group, while in high school. As a youngster, Robinson was obsessed with music and listened to a wide range of performers on the radio. Nolan Strong & the Diablos, Billy Ward and His Dominoes, and many others were among them. His doo-wop trio was called the Matadors later on.
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Smokey Robinson’s Salary and Net Worth in 2022
Smokey Robinson’s total net assets are expected to be over US$120 million as of January 2022. He was given the money since he was a renowned singer, composer, and record producer. He was also a member of a music band, which contributed significantly to his net worth.
Smokey Robinson’s Career
Robinson’s solo eponymous comeback album ‘Smokey’ was released in 1973. “Sweet Harmony,” a Miracles tribute song, and the smash ballad “Baby Come Close” were featured on the CD. In 1974, he released his second album, ‘Pure Smokey.’
In 1975, he published his third album, A Quiet Storm. His solo career, on the other hand, suffered since he relied on other writers and producers to aid him with his albums while still serving as Motown’s vice president. Robinson resigned from his role as vice president after the firm was sold to MCA in 1988.
Robinson penned ‘Cruisin,’ which became a huge smash, peaking at number one in the Cash Box and number four on the Billboard Hot 100. In addition, it was his first solo number one in New Zealand.
Robinson’s album ‘One Heartbeat’ was published in 1987, and the songs “Just to See Her” and “One Heartbeat” charted in the Top 10 on Billboard’s Pop, Soul, and Adult Contemporary charts.
Personal life:
In May 2002, Smokey Robinson married Frances Gladney. The pair owns a house near Pittsburgh, which they now utilize as a vineyard.
Smokey married his coworker Claudette Rogers in 1959. Berry Robinson, a boy, and Tamra Robinson, a girl, are the couple’s two children. Robinson also has a son named Trey Robinson, who was born in 1984, shortly after his marriage to Claudette. Later, in 1986, the couple separated and divorced.
Robinson is also well-known for his bright green eyes. In addition, he engages in transcendental meditation.
Height, weight, and age
Smokey Robinson was born on February 19, 1940, and will be 81 on January 3, 2022. He stands at 5 feet 10.5 inches and weighs 82 kilos.
Songs by Smokey Robinson
- I Am I Am
- Baby That’s Backatcha
- The Agony and the Ecstasy
- Quiet Storm
- Open
- When You Came
- An Old Fashioned Man
- Sweet Harmony
- Baby Come Close
- It’s Her Turn to Live
- Just My Soul Responding
- Virgin Man