Smokey Robinson Lyrics Cruisin

William"Smokey"Robinson, Jr.(born February 19, 1940) is an American R&B and soul

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.

In 1959, Gordy founded Tamla Records, which he soon reincorporated as Motown. The Miracles were among the label's first signees. Gordy and Robinson had a synergistic relationship, with Robinson providing a foundation for Motown's hit-making success and Gordy acting as a mentor for the budding singer and songwriter. By 1961, Gordy had appointed Robinson vice-president of Motown Records, a title Robinson held for as long as Gordy remained with the company.

Motown and The Miracles

The 1960 single "Shop Around" was Motown's first #1 hit on the R&B singles chart, and the first big hit for The Miracles. They scored many more hits over the years, including "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" (1962), "Mickey's Monkey" (1963), "Ooo Baby Baby (1965), "The Tracks of My Tears" (1965), "Going to a Go-Go" (1965), "More Love" (1967), and "I Second That Emotion" (1967).

album: "Time Flies When You're Having Fun" (2009)

Time Flies

Don't Know Why

You're The One For Me

One Time

That Place

Love Bath

Whatcha Gonna Do

Satisfy You

I Want You Back

other songs:

Baby Come Close

Baby That's Backatcha

Being With You

Choosy Beggar

Cruisin'

Daylight & Darkness

Ebony Eyes

Everything You Touch

I Am I Am

I Can't Find

I Don't Blame You At All

I Love Your Face

I Second That Emotion

I've Made Love To You A Thousand Times

Just To See Her

Let Me Be The Clock

One Heartbeat

Quiet Storm

Really Gonna Miss You

Shop Around

The Agony And The Ecstasy

There Will Come A Day (I'm Gonna Happen To You)

Yes It's You Lady

You Really Got A Hold On Me