smokey robinson
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SMOKEY ROBINSON. Smokey Robinson was born on February 19, 1940 in Detroit, Michigan. In the 1950’s Smokey’s mother passed away. THE MATADORS. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
SMOKEY
ROBINSON
Smokey Robinson was born on February 19, 1940 in Detroit,
Michigan.
In the 1950’s Smokey’s mother passed away.
THE MATADORS
THE MIRACLES
In 1954, Smokey formed a group that was first known as the Matadors. 3 years later, the group name changed to The Miracles when Claudette Rogers joined the group. Smokey and Claudette were married in 1959.
The music industry was a very difficult business to go into. At first, the members of the Miracles were only being paid five dollars per week by their agent Berry Gordy.
Berry Gordy and Smoky Robinson were the start of something new. They were very fortunate to have come across each other. They had what the other needed at that time. Gordy began to produce the Miracles in 1958.
Smokey hit the charts in the 1960’s with the release of Shop Around, a song composed by Smokey himself.
This song is what enabled Gordy to start up his own record label (Motown Records). He also produced other talents.
Smokey was able to grow with the successful Motown Record company. He was the lead vocalist for their band which was renamed Smokey Robinson & The Miracles.
He composed most of his own music along with hit songs for other headlining artists.
Later on in his career, Smokey was faced with competition known as The Beatles. Even with this competition, he was able to win 6 gold records containing hits such as “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me”, “Tracks of My Tears”, and “Oooo Baby Baby”.
•In 1968, Smokey was expecting his son.• He left the Miracles in 1972, even though their song “Tears of a Clown” was #1 in Britain and the U.S.•He went solo and recorded mellower music.•He became VP of Motown Records.•Wrote hundreds of songs for other artists.
THE 1980’S
Smokey was well into his 3rd decade of music. He won many Grammy’s for his work in the music industry. Most of his music as R&B soul type of music. He was also inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of fame and named the Grammy living legend.
Aside from all the fame and accomplishments, Smokey had his share of downfalls. He had a few marital affairs and also a two year cocaine addiction. Coping with so much fame was not always easy for Smokey. He stayed married to Claudette for 27 years and had 2 children, Tamla and Berry Robinson. They were divorced in 1986 and he remarried Frances Glandney in 2002.
Smokey continues to compose great music. In April of 2004, he dropped his first gospel album, “Food for the Spirit”. His fans say that he sounds just as good as he did in the very first album he dropped.
Smokey was a big part of Motown’s 50th anniversary, which took place in 2009. He gave tours of the Motown museum and did interviews, serving as on of the main Motown faces.
COMPOSITION HISTORY
Oooo Baby BabySMOKEY ROBINSON
This song was written after he cheated on his wife
Pete Moore assisted in writing the song
The Miracles do the background harmonies
Was #4 on he Billboard Charts
One of the biggest hits and Smokey’s signature song
My GirlThe Temptations
Released in 1964 by Motown
The Temptations first and signature song
Robinson’s inspiration for the song was his wife Claudette
Originally for The Miracles
Never made it to the Billboard Charts here in the U.S.
The Way You Do The Things You Do
The Temptations Released in 1964 Hit the Billboard
Charts at #11 Smokey and
Rogers wrote this song while on tour with The Temptations
Eddie Kendricks sings lead in this song
You Beat Me To The PunchMary Wells
Co-written by Smokey and Ronnie White
Released in 1962 Won Grammy
nomination for best rhythm and blues recording
Smokey wrote many hits for her
I Want A Love I Can SeeThe Temptations
This song was not a hit at that time
Released in 1963 Paul Williams is the
lead vocals This is the first song
Smokey wrote for The Temptations
Lots of instruments in the song
The Tracks of My TearsSmokey Robinson & The Miracles
Hit song in 1965 Sold over 2 million
copies in first 2 years Started with a fellow
Miracle playing around with a tune
Became #2 on the Billboard Charts
The Miracles most recognized songs
Works Cited•http://www.biography.com/articles/Smokey-Robinson-9460972•http://www.notablebiographies.com/Pu-Ro/Robinson-Smokey.html•http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005373/bio•http://www.songwritershalloffame.org/exhibits/C176•http://www.worldlingo.com/ma/enwiki/en/Ooo_Baby_Baby•http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Want_a_Love_I_Can_See•http://www.whosdatedwho.com/music/songs/smokey-robinson.html
LISTENING GUIDE
Oooh Baby BabySmokey Robinson
It begins with drums Has basic
introduction, verse, chorus and bridge
The Miracles do the back up vocals
Instruments in the song are the drums, brass, strings and guitar
You Beat Me To The PunchMary Wells
Drums start off the song followed by many instruments and harmonies
Has verses, chorus and bridge
Ending of the song fades out
The Way You Do The Things You DoThe Temptations
Starts off with the guitar followed by drums, bass and piano
Has verses, chorus and a bridge
One person sings lead and remaining 4 sing back up
More instruments played during song
I Want a Love I Can SeeThe Temptations
Song starts with wood percussion made from Mexico
Drums, piano, bass and harmonizing
Has versus, chorus and bridge
Song fades out in the end
The Tracks of My TearsSmokey Robinson & the miracles
Starts off with 2 guitars playing different harmonies
Drums come in with maracas and bass
The Miracles do the back up vocals
Verses, chorus and bridge
Song fades out in the end
My GirlThe Temptations
Starts off with bass guitar and snapping
Has drums, pianos and harmonies
Has verses, chorus and bridge
Song fades out in the end
THE END