Smokey Robinson

On tour

Pictures

smokey-robinson

Listen to, buy or share

Buy

Buy on Amazon Amazon Expand purchase options
  • Digital download
  • Amazon Amazon
  • 7digital 7digital
  • Juno Juno
  • iTunes iTunes
  • Physical media
  • Amazon Amazon Search
  • eBay eBay Search
  • 1,036,191
    scrobbles
  • 210,547
    listeners

Tags

Everyone’s tags

More tags

Biography

William “Smokey” Robinson, Jr. (born February 19, 1940) is an American R&B and soul singer and songwriter. Robinson is noted for being one of the primary figures associated with the Motown record label, second only to the company’s founder, Berry Gordy. As both a member of Motown group The Miracles and a solo artist, Robinson recorded seventy Top 40 hits for Motown between 1959 and 1990, and also served as the company’s Vice President from 1961 to 1988.

Early years and formation of the Miracles

Robinson was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and was nicknamed “Smokey” as a child, because of his love of westerns. The name originally came when an uncle (who would take a young Robinson to see westerns) gave him the name “Smokey Joe”, Robinson began being called “Smokey” whilst in his teens. In 1955, Robinson founded a group he called “The Five Chimes” with his best friend Ronnie White, and Northern High School classmates Pete Moore, Clarence Dawson, and James Grice. By 1957, the group was called “The Matadors” and included cousins Bobby Rogers and Claudette Rogers in place of Dawson and Grice. With Robinson as lead singer, the Matadors began touring the local Detroit venues. In 1958, Robinson met songwriter Berry Gordy, Jr., who co-wrote for them the single “Got a Job,” an answer song to The Silhouettes’ hit single “Get A Job.” The group renamed itself The Miracles, and issued singles on both End Records and Chess Records before Robinson suggested to Berry Gordy that he start a label of his own.
Read more… Edit bio

Top Albums

Events

Add event

Listening Trend

210,547listeners all time
1,036,191scrobbles all time
Recent listeners trend:

Start scrobbling and track your listening history

Last.fm users scrobble the music they play in iTunes, Spotify, Rdio and over 200 other music players.

Create a Last.fm profile

Shoutbox

Leave a comment. Log in to Last.fm or sign up.

  • TheDarkSide73

    LEGEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    24 Apr 2:28am Reply

  • Tysiulec

    Don't Think It's Me <3

    16 Apr 6:22pm Reply

  • SuperSoulRadio

    We have followed Smokey for a very long while. His music is simply timeless. From his beginning with the Miracles to Solo. He cant be beat!

    24 Nov 2012 Reply

  • Fullmettall

    I Second That Emotion

    16 Jun 2012 Reply

  • NicDowse

    jesus. where has Quiet Storm been all my life? so beautiful.

    21 May 2012 Reply

  • hoodbrilliance

    Smokey is an enormous talent. Writer, singer, businessman. Inspiring.

    8 Sep 2011 Reply

  • gordonsalvatore

    Wish the music industry demanded real talent like it used to.. I mean where are the Marvin Gayes, Barry Whites, Smokey Robinsons, Teddy Pendergrass', Roy Ayers' of my generation? Nowhere. Music has died along time ago. And the only way I can revive it is by listening to it on my ipod and computer cause I sure as hell won't hear these guys out in the public like Lady Gaga.

    15 Aug 2011 Reply

  • credmoney

    Smokey is a legend, the music industry needs another Motown!

    8 Apr 2011 Reply

  • violetchild

    He was one of my favorite artists back in the fourth grade when he was with the miracles. He has pretty good stuff as a solo artist, and I still respect his work, contributions and legacy in the world of music. Heck, he should win an Oscar for crying out loud!

    29 Dec 2010 Reply

  • phylloxr

    `Smokin`, `Love Breeze` & `Intimate`....my best three choice of his solo albums.

    12 Dec 2010 Reply

  • queencrab3

    love his song "First Time on a Ferris Wheel" it's from the movie The Last Dragon

    31 Aug 2010 Reply

  • Batiste369

    Tu Me Besas Muy Rico <3

    17 Jun 2010 Reply

  • rain518

    I'm come from china.And a problerm is I can't hear it.sad.....

    22 Apr 2010 Reply

  • try-some-of-me

    I LOVE SMOKEY HE HAS THE MOST AMAZING LOVE SONGS,HES THE BEST

    12 Jan 2010 Reply

  • A_J_S87

    I don't care 'bout anything else but being with you <3

    7 Jan 2010 Reply

  • JluisEstrada

    Does anyone know where I can get the track "Love will set you free". I tried to find all over internet and I didnt a full-lenght file. Hope somebody could help me

    17 Dec 2009 Reply

  • luckybabe888

    So hot Smoke gets in my eyes...LOL He's Hot back when and Now! Shout out 4 Smoky...TOO HOT 4 Words, hehehee

    27 Nov 2009 Reply

  • Marxism1

    I love it when we're cruisin' together

    23 Nov 2009 Reply

  • phylloxr

    Every body, Have you already listened to his new album`Time Flies When You're Having Fun'? This is one of his masterpieces,I think. Must Buy `09`s best album.

    11 Oct 2009 Reply

  • peternen

    The new album "Time Flies When You're Having Fun" sounds great.

    28 Aug 2009 Reply
    • All 49 shouts

Listening Now

Top Listeners

Email Newsletter

Universal Music Group Get exclusive tour, release & promotion updates on Smokey Robinson from Universal Music.