Who is Smokey Robinson: Biography and Wiki
Smokey Robinson is an American singer, songwriter, producer and former executive producer who rose to fame in the early 1970s as the frontman and founder of a Motown musical group called The Miracles. He is a Detroit native who was awarded the 2016 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for his lifetime contributions in the music industry.
10 Quick Facts About Smokey Robinson
Smokey Robinson Age
Smokey is 80 years old as of 2020, he was born on 19 February 1940, in Detroit, Michigan, United States. He celebrates his birthday on 19 February every year and his birth sign is Pisces. Smokey will be 81 years old on Feb.19, 2021.
Smokey Robinson Height and Weight
Robinson stands at a height of 5 feet 10.5 inches. He is a man of average stature who appears to be quite tall in stature in his photos. Smokey also weighs 82 kg (181 lb) and he has unique hazel eyes. Details regarding his other body measurements are still under review.
Smokey Robinson Family
Smokey Robinson was born to his mother Flossie Robinson and his father William Robinson. His father, William was an African-American while his mother was also African-American with French ancestry. Smokey grew up alongside his two siblings Rose Ella Jones and Geraldine Burston. His uncle Claude who was also his godfather nicknamed him ‘Smokey Joe’ when he was young.
Smokey Robinson Wife
Smokey married his ex-wife Claudette Rogers Robinson in a private wedding ceremony held in 1959. Together they were blessed with two children but they got divorced in 1986. Claudette cited infidelity as the main cause of their divorce. In 2002, Smokey married his second and current wife Frances Glandney.
Smokey Robinson Children and Kids
Smokey has two children from his first marriage to Claudette Rogers. They include a son Berry Robinson who was born in 1968 and daughter Tamla Robinson born in 1969. Robinson has a third child Trey who was born in 1984. The son was born from an extramarital affair Smokey had while he was still married to Claudette.
Smokey Robinson Group, The Miracles
Smokey developed an interest in music since he was young. While at Northern High School he formed a doo-wop group named the Five Chimes. He formed his first line up with Five Chimes in 1955 with Ronald White, a childhood friend, and Pete More, his classmate.
In 1957, after Bobby Rodgers joined the band, it was renamed to Matadors. Claudette Rogers later joined the band as a replacement for Emerson Rogers. In 1958 Marv Tarplin, the band’s guitarist joined the group. The band later changed their name to ‘The Miracles’.
In 1957 the band released their first single, “Got a Job” on End Records. The single was released after the band met songwriter Berry Gordy who produced them. Gordy formed Tamla Records which was later reincorporated as Motown. He signed The Miracles as his first acts.
In late 1960 the band released its first hit single called Shop Around. In the mid-1960s, Robinson became the vice president of Motown. He wanted to retire from The Miracles by 1969 to focus more on his duty as the vice president of Motown but he stayed with the group until 1972 due to the success of the group’s Tears of a Clown.
Smokey Robinson Motown
Smoke was signed to Motown after he met Berry Gordy in 1957. In the late 1960’s ‘The Miracles’ became Motown’s first act. In the mid-1960’s he became Motown’s vice president. He relinquished his position in 1988 after the company was sold off to MCA in 1988. In 1991 he left Motown record as an artist for a deal with SBK Records. He made a brief comeback to Motown records in 1999 and released his album titled intimate’ on the record. In 2003 he split from the record again.
Smokey Robinson Net Worth
Smokey has an estimated Net Worth of around $100 million dollars as of 2020. This includes his Assets, Money and Income. His primary source of income is his career as a Musician. Through his various sources of income, Smokey has been able to accumulate a good fortune but prefers to lead a modest lifestyle.
Smokey Robinson and Diana Ross
Smokey Robinson and Diana Ross were friends since they were pre-teens living down the streets from each other. The had a love affair during Diana’s pre-Supreme days as she confirmed in her book ‘Secrets of a Sparrow.’
Smokey was asked if he ever felt jealous when Diana hooked up with his best friend, Berry Gordy, which he said he didn’t mind as he just wanted to see both of his close friends happy. He and Diana had also moved past their relationship at the time.
It was also rumored that Smokey’s first wife, Claudette, knew of his relationship with Diana which prompted her to forbid him from working with Diana. Smokey obliged but when Diana left Supremes he produced one of their hits “Floy Joy” in 1972.
Smokey Robinson Dead
Smokey Robinson is alive. In 2013 it was his friend Bobby Rogers, who was born on the same day in the same Detroit hospital as Smokey Robinson whom he harmonized in high school and eventually in the Hall of Fame singing group the Miracles.
Smokey Robinson Gay
Smokey Robinson is not gay, he is married to his wife Frances Glandney. People have been speculating that he might be gay because of his unique fashionable style. However, that’s no case because Smokey is married to a woman and together they are blessed with kids.
Smokey Robinson Cruisin
Crusin is a famous 1979 single that was recorded, written and produced by Smokey Robinson for Tamla label under Motown Records. The single is one of Smokey’s hits that was received well on the radio as well as other main events back in the day.
Smokey Robinson Measurements and Facts
Here are some interesting facts and body measurements you should know about Smokey.
Smokey Robinson Bio and Wiki
- Full Names: William “Smokey” Robinson Jr.
- Popular As: Smokey
- Gender: male
- Occupation / Profession: singer, songwriter, record producer, and former record executive
- Nationality: American
- Race / Ethnicity: African-American
- Religion: Christianity
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
Smokey Robinson Birthday
- Age / How Old?: 80 years old
- Zodiac Sign: Pisces
- Date of Birth: February 19, 1940
- Place of Birth: Detroit, Michigan
- Birthday: February 19th
Smokey Robinson Body Measurements
- Body Measurements: Not Available
- Height / How Tall?: 1.79 m (5 ft 10.5 in)
- Weight: 82 kg (181 lb)
- Eye Color: Hazel
- Hair Color: black
- Shoe Size: Not Available
Smokey Robinson Family and Relationship
- Father (Dad): Flossie Robinson
- Mother: William Robinson
- Siblings (Brothers and Sisters): Rose Ella Jones and Geraldine Burston
- Marital Status: Married
- Wife/Spouse: Married to Frances Glandney
- Dating / Boyfriend: Not Applicable
- Children: Sons ( Berry William Borope Robinson and Trey Robinson) and Daughter (Tamla Claudette Robinson)
Smokey Robinson Net Worth and Salary
- Net Worth: around $100 million dollars
- Salary: Under Review
- Source of Income: singer, songwriter, record producer, and former record executive
Smokey Robinson House and Cars
- Place of living: Pittsburgh, USA
- Cars: Car Brand to be updated
Smokey Robinson Career
In 1973 Robinson released his solo eponymous come back album ‘Smokey’. The album included the Miracles tribute song, “Sweet Harmony” and the hit ballad “Baby Come Close”. He released his second album in 1974, ‘Pure Smokey’.
He released his third album A Quiet Storm in 1975. His solo career, however, suffered as he relied on other writers and producers to help him with his albums as he was still the vice president of Motown. The company was later sold off to MCA in 1988 and Robinson renounced his position as the vice president.
Robinson wrote ‘Cruisin’ which became a massive hit reaching number one in Cash Box and peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also his first solo number one in New Zealand.
Robinson released ‘One Heartbeat’ in 1987 and the singles, “Just to See Her” and “One Heartbeat” became Top 10 hits on Billboard’s Pop, Soul, and Adult Contemporary charts.
Smokey Robinson Albums and Discography
- 1973: Smokey, 1974: Pure Smokey, 1975: A Quiet Storm, 1976: Smokey’s Family Robinson, 1977: Deep in My Soul, 1977: Big Time (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), 1978: Love Breeze, 1978: Smokin’, 1979: Where There’s Smoke…, 1980: Warm Thoughts, 1981: Being with You
- 1982: Yes It’s You Lady, 1983: Touch the Sky, 1984: Essar, 1986: Smoke Signals, 1987: One Heartbeat, 1990: Love, Smokey, 1999: Intimate, 2005: My World (The Definitive Collection), 1991: Double Good Everything, 2004: Food for the Spirit, 2006: Timeless Love, 2009: Time Flies When You’re Having Fun, 2010: Now And Then, 2014: Smokey & Friends
Smokey Robinson Songs
- Sweet Harmony
- Baby Come Close
- It’s Her Turn to Live
- Just My Soul Responding
- Virgin Man
- I Am I Am
- Baby That’s Backatcha
- The Agony and the Ecstasy
- Quiet Storm
- Open
- When You Came
- An Old Fashioned Man
Frequently Asked Questions About Smokey Robinson
Who is Smokey Robinson?
Smokey is an American singer, songwriter, producer and former executive producer who rose to fame in the early 1970s as the frontman and founder of a Motown musical group called The Miracles. He is also a Detroit native who was awarded the 2016 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for his lifetime contributions in the music industry.
How old is Smokey Robinson?
Smokey is an American national born on 19 February 1940, in Detroit, Michigan.
How tall is Smokey Robinson?
Smokey stands at a height of 1.79 m (5 ft 10.5 in).
Is Smokey Robinson Married?
Yes, Smokey is married to his wife, Frances Glandney. The two tied the knot more than ten years later after Smokey divorced his ex-wife, Claudette Rogers Robinson.
How much is Smokey Robinson Worth?
Smokey has an approximate net worth of $100 million dollars. This amount has been accrued from his career as a musician and the frontman of the Miracles.
Where does Smokey live?
He is a resident of Pittsburgh, USA, we shall upload pictures of his house as soon as we have them from a credible source.
Is Smokey dead or alive?
Smokey is alive and in good health. There have been no reports of her being sick or having any health-related issues.
Where is Smokey now?
Smokey is and has been producing music since 1955, having his last music released on YouTube and all streaming platforms.
Smokey Robinson Social Media Contacts
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Reference:
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- IMDB
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- Youtube
Smokey Robinson Really Gonna Miss You
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