Smokey Robinson & The Miracles Appreciation Thread!

The Miracles (also known as Smokey Robinson and the Miracles from 1965 to 1972) were an American rhythm and blues group that was the first successful recording act for Berry Gordy's Motown, and one of the most important and influential groups in pop, rock and roll, and R&B music history. Formed in 1955 by Smokey Robinson, Warren "Pete" Moore, and Ronnie White, the group started off as the Five Chimes, changing their name to the Matadors two years later. The group then settled on the Miracles after the inclusion of Claudette Robinson in 1958. The most notable Miracles line-up included the Robinsons, Moore, White, Bobby Rogers and Marv Tarplin. After a failed audition with Brunswick Records, the group began working with songwriter Berry Gordy, who helped to produce their first records for the End and Chess labels before establishing Tamla Records in 1959 and signing the Miracles as its first act. The group eventually scored the label's first million-selling hit record with "Shop Around" in 1960 and further established themselves as one of Motown's top acts with the hit singles "You've Really Got a Hold on Me", "What's So Good About Goodbye", "Way Over There", "I'll Try Something New", "Mickey's Monkey", "Going to a Go-Go", "(Come 'Round Here) I'm the One You Need", "Just A Mirage", "If You Can Want", "More Love", "I Don't Blame You At All", "Ooo Baby Baby", the multi-award-winning "The Tracks of My Tears", "Special Occasion", "I Second That Emotion", "Baby Baby Don't Cry", the number-one Pop smashes "The Tears of a Clown" and "Love Machine", "Do It Baby" , and "My Girl Has Gone".

Referred to as Motown's "soul supergroup",the Miracles recorded 26 Top 40 hits, sixteen of which reached the Billboard Top 20,seven top 10 singles, and a number one single ("The Tears of a Clown") while the Robinsons and Tarplin were members. Following the departure of Tarplin and the Robinsons, the rest of the group continued with singer Billy Griffin and scored two final top 20 singles, "Do It Baby" and "Love Machine", a second # 1 hit,which topped the charts before the group departed for Columbia Records in 1977, recording as a quintet with Donald Griffin, where after a few releases, they disbanded in 1978. In all, the group had over fifty charted hits by the time they disbanded. On the R&B charts, The Miracles scored 26 Top 10 Billboard R&B hits, with 4 R&B # 1's. Bobby Rogers and Ronald White revived the group as a touring ensemble sporadically during the 1980s and again in the 1990s with lead singer Sydney Justin. Following White's death in 1995, Rogers and Justin continued to tour with different members until he was forced into retirement due to health issues in 2011, dying less than two years later.

The Miracles have been awarded many top music industry honors over the years. In 1997, the group received the Pioneer Award at the Rhythm and Blues Foundation for their musical achievements. Four years later, in 2001, they were inducted to the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. In 2004, they were ranked thirty-two on the Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 100 Greatest Artists of All Time, retaining that same position seven years later, in 2011. Four of their hit songs were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. In 2009, the group received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Throughout their careers, the Miracles were also enshrined with honors for their songwriting by both BMI and ASCAP. In 2008, Billboard listed them at #61 on their 100 most successful Billboard artists ever list. After much controversy, the Miracles were inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012.

 

Smokey has a delivery like none other. That man can just flat-out sing the way we all wish we could.

Decent songwriter too!

 

One of the most beautiful and saddest songs I've ever heard.
Smokey & Stevie did a wonderful job on this...

 

I guess not that many people on this board appreciate the miracles.

 

How can you not like Smokey.

 

Smokey Robinson is every bit as important to Motown as Berry Gordy is. The guys contribution to pop music is huge.

 

I just picked up a nice mono copy of Away We A Go Go yesterday for $5. Meeting and talking with Smokey remains a highlight of my life.

 

Great in depth interview..

 

i think you meant that in a humorous way , well i hope so
Decent associated with Smokeys's songwriting skills makes me cringe , its blasphemy

 

I know that I'm a little ignorant but much as I love Smokey's singing and songwriting I've never worked out whether the rest of the band were a critical ingredient or whether they were really just his backing group.

 

they co wrote some of the band biggest hits
just look at the songs credits , not a backing band , definitely not
Plus need to add Marvin Taplin to the team , their guitar player , a wonderful mix of talents
of course Smokey was the boss and main songwriter but i dont think it would have happened without the rest of the band , a real tight family they were without any line up changes

 

You are obviously correct in this instance but I often wonder about songwriting credits, especially where co writers are involved.

 

i know what you mean , but i read that the group actually brought music as well , not just a lyric line here and there

 

His interview on Howard Stern this week, made me want to find all of the Miracles stuff on vinyl I may have missed.

 

This Howard Stern interview on Howard100 will sell more copies than anything else he did as far as promotion.

 

Good thread, I'm going to play the Anthology cds tomorrow.

 

'Tracks Of My Tears' is one of my Desert Island Discs, a near perfect song and Smokey is one hell of a songwriter. 'I second that Emotion' and 'Tears of a Clown' and of course 'Get Ready' are floor fillers whenever I put them into a DJ set. There is a sound bite of George Harrison on the White Album mini doc on the 2009 remaster saying words to the effect of 'I want my voice to sound more like Smokey!' If they liked them then whats not to like eh? (The feeling was mutual, they liked the fabs cover of 'You Really Got A Hold on Me') Smokey and co were a great group and indispensable when it comes to Motown.

 

Here are some of the overlooked gems that I think you guys would enjoy.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzjNManzltM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cte1QYJcIro

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5nqhNBEO7c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ4AKyD0yBw

 

I saw them on their farewell tour at The Latin Casino in Cherry Hill,NJ.

 

Fantastic group. "Shop Around" and "Tracks of My Tears" are among my top five favorite Motown songs. I don't think any other single act could claim two songs in there.

 

Smokey Robinson and the Miracles for all the acclaim are still in my opinion a bit underappreciated as to their true contributions to the Motown legacy. For one thing, almost alone among Motown acts of the '60s, their albums are nearly all pretty solid, with lots of undiscovered gems that those willing to delve a little deeper would be surprised to find. Any Anthology collection comes up woefully short in terms of presenting a full appreciation of their music.

 

About 10 years ago I talked my then wife into coming with me to see a free outdoor show by Smokey Robinson. She didn't want to go at first saying she didn't know anything by him. I told her I guarantee you will know and be singing along on the choruses to over 2/3 of the songs.

That was low, the actual figure was closer to 90%.

But the only thing I actually own by him is "Hi, We're the Miracles" on vinyl.

 

Another amazing collaboration between Smokey & Stevie.

 

Was on with Howard Stern the other day... another great interview.

Oops... should have read the other posts more carefully.

 

Howard was giving Smokey his props. I just hate when he plays that psychiatrist role with all the musicians though.