Smokey Robinson

Smokey Robinson is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. He was the founder and front man of the vocal group The Miracles. He led the group from its 1955 origins as The Five Chimes until 1972 when he announced a retirement from the stage to focus on his role as Motown's vice president.

Robinson would return as a solo artist in 1973, and he would record "Baby That's Backatcha", "A Quiet Storm", "The Agony and the Ecstasy", "Cruisin'", "Being With You" and "Just to See Her". Following the sale of Motown Records in 1988, Robinson left Motown in 1990. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

Between 1962 and 1966, Robinson was wrote several hit singles including "The One Who Really Loves You", "You Beat Me to the Punch" and "My Guy" for Mary Wells, "The Way You Do The Things You Do", "My Girl", "Since I Lost My Baby" and "Get Ready" for The Temptations, "When I'm Gone" and "Operator" for Brenda Holloway, "Don't Mess With Bill", "The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game" and "My Baby Must Be a Magician" for The Marvelettes and "I'll Be Doggone" and "Ain't That Peculiar" for Marvin Gaye.

His solo debut album, Smokey, was released in 1973 and featured the Miracles tribute song, "Sweet Harmony", and "Baby Come Close". On his 1976 album Thirty Three & 1/3, George Harrison was featured on "Pure Smokey". A Quiet Storm was released in 1975 and featured "Baby That's Backatcha", "The Agony & The Ecstasy" and "Quiet Storm".

Robinson's album Warm Thoughts produced "Let Me Be the Clock" and, in 1981, Robinson's "Being with You", peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one in the UK. Yes It's You Lady featured "Tell Me Tomorrow" and, in 1983, Robinson recorded "Ebony Eyes" with Rick James.

In 1987, One Heartbeat was released with the singles "Just to See Her" and "One Heartbeat". "Just to See Her" gave Robinson his first Grammy Award in 1988. After Motown was sold off to MCA in 1988, Robinson relinquished his position as vice president. Following the release of the album, Love Smokey, in 1990, Robinson left Motown for for SBK Records in 1991.

In 1999, he re-signed with Motown and released the album, Intimate, which included "Easy to Love". In 2004, he  released the gospel album, Food for the Soul. In 2006, Robinson released the standards album, Timeless Love, and, in 2009, he issued the album, Time Flies When You're Having Fun.