Overview
Smokey Robinson
Known For
American Music Awards 50th Anniversary Special
An evening celebrating half a century of groundbreaking music, iconic...
Soul of a Nation Presents: Black in Vegas
This special explores the history of Black entertainers in Las...
Dionne Warwick: Don't Make Me Over
The story of the iconic singer's fascinating six-decade career in...
Aretha Franklin Remembered (My Music)
A chronological documentary about the life and music of one...
ReMastered: The Two Killings of Sam Cooke
This investigation examines the mysterious shooting of soul icon Sam...
Biography
William "Smokey" Robinson Jr. is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson was the founder and frontman of the Motown vocal group the Miracles, for which he was also chief songwriter and producer. Robinson led the group from its 1955 origins as "the Five Chimes" until 1972, when he announced a retirement from the group to focus on his role as Motown's vice president. However, Robinson returned to the music industry as a solo artist the following year. Following the sale of Motown Records in 1988, Robinson left the company in 1990. Robinson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, and was awarded the 2016 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for his lifetime contributions to popular music.