A Music Icon For All Ages
Music headliners come and go over decades, and for babyboomers when we talk about music greats of “our day” our kids don’t have a clue who we mean. Not the case with Smokey Robinson. With the man comes a legendary name and unmistakable voice as cool for our hiphop kids as for us in our rock & roll days.
Why “Smokey”?
Fame in showbusiness usually means a trumped up stage name that slides smooth and holds its own on billboards. And a name like “Smokey” sure seemed to me like a breezy pick by some quick thinking publicity agent. Not so. Robinson acquired “Smokey Joe” from an uncle because believe it or not…this Detroit born and bred city boy loved cowboy movies. By his teens “Joe” was dropped and Robinson evolved into a cruisin’ kinda guy. Ever since the name “Smokey” references one of the most legendary and influential songwriters, record producers and mega talents the music industry has ever seen. Married for 6 years, he and his wife Frances were friends for more than 25 years before the love bug struck. While Smokey makes music, Frances turns the interiors of multi-million dollar homes into a dream come true for their owners as the founder of the successful firm, FR Interior Designers.
It began in 1955 when Robinson started a band the Five Chimes that morphed into the Matadors. The Miracles were born around the time Robinson met songwriter/record producer Berry Gordy in 1958, and within a year the Robinson/Gordy music making team was firmly in place. When in 1959 Gordy founded Tamla Records (later incorporated as Motown) the Miracles were one of the labels first groups signed. In 1961 Gordy made Robinson vice president of Motown, a position he kept until Gordy sold the company in 1988. Robinson and Gordy just celebrated their 50th year anniversary, an event marking the dedication and friendship of two men who stuck it out through thick and thin to make music history.
With more than 4,000 songs to his credit, R&B wouldn’t be the same without the smooth, sexy ‘come over here baby’ croonin’ of a Smokey song.
And, let’s face it…men on every continent owe Robinson gratitude. If it wasn’t for all that slow dancing, smooching and cuddling to Smokey’s music—the majority of the male population would have spent most nights in bed—ALONE!
ST: You were titled “King of Motown” for stacking up more than 37 Top 40 hits. As a songwriter and record producer what’s your take on music today?
SR: It was a great Motown ride for me. Growing up Jackie Wilson was my #1 singing idol. I auditioned for Jackie’s managers and Berry was there. He was a songwriter and music producer for Jackie. I sang about five songs I’d written and Jackie’s managers didn’t care for our band. We were four guys, my voice was high, we had a girl in the group, were young, and they didn’t think we’d make it. Plus, they thought we were too much like The Platters, the top group in the world at that time. Berry heard our songs, liked them and after we finished, introduced him- self and started to work with us. Berry taught me how to professionally write songs so they made sense. Every- thing was on one track…no remixing. We were all in the studio at the same time. It was tougher being a music producer then. Now with computers musicians are on separate tracks from vocals and it’s mixed a million ways. The music business now is very sophisticated, but there are pros and cons. The pros are a cleaner sound, with more options. The cons are that back in the day we were in the studio together, it was like a studio concert. We played off each other and I think got a better feel of the music. I think kids now still listen to songs we recorded then because it’s music-music, and that never dies. No matter when it’s written, lyrics and melody have to mean something when people hear it. Contents of a song stand the test of time.
ST: When you say Berry taught you how to write a song what do you mean?
SR: I could always write, but Berry taught me the importance of allowing lyrics to flow. A song is a short movie, short story, short book with a beginning, middle and ending that tell a tale. You might not necessarily end it…you might want people to make their own conclusion, but you offer enough details so they can draw that conclusion. That’s what a song is.
ST: You’re a legendary performer who travels the world playing packed venues. Millions come to hear you. Your songs are a walk down memory lane. We love them but do you get tired of singing them?
SR: I can’t speak for others, but every night I’m on that stage my songs are new to me because I’m having a ball. When I go to work I have a great time. I don’t do a concert for people…I do it with people. We’re singing and dancing and having a party. Many nights after a show people come backstage thinking we’re going to have a party and ask…”hey, where’s the party?” I look at them and say, “hey man I just had the party.” After a show I’m ready to go home or to the hotel and relax, watch TV, and unwind.
ST: You’ve received numerous awards over the years from a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award to being a Kennedy Center honoree and receiving a degree of Doctor of Music, honoris causa from Howard University. Looking back was the road rough getting here?
SR: At times it’s been rough. There’s always ups and downs, peaks and valleys. I speak at churches, rehabs, schools, gang meetings and tell kids wanting careers in music or sports—sure some people with big dreams make it, but millions with the same dreams don’t. If you’re going to make it in my business there are many ups and downs, NO’s, doors slammed and a lot of rejection. If you’re prepared to withstand that, then it’s a great life. I’ve been in the business for 50 years and rejection still goes on for me, but on some level rejection keeps you grounded. I’ve seen hundreds achieve notoriety and think the world can’t do without them. That’s a mistake and that’s why you hear one or two hits and they’re gone. It’s not about ego. Success happens through the grace of God, and you have to give glory to God for it.
ST: What’s this I hear about you being an entrepreneur in the food industry?
SR: The food line is “Soul in the Bowl” Gumbo & Red Beans & Rice. I’ve eaten in the most soulful kitchens in the world. These are my recipes. In 2004, Leon Isaac Kennedy brought the idea to me and now we’re partners along with his wife, and a silent partner. The line took off and is in Vons, Albertsons, Safeway, Pavilions, and we’re coming up with some new dishes as well.
:::Suzanne Takowsky
