Smokey Robinson

The first and one of the greatest talents to ever record for the fabled Motown label, Grammy winner Smokey Robinson was a singer, songwriter and music executive who, as part of the Miracles, produced some of the greatest songs of the 1960s, from "Shop Around" and "Mickey's Monkey" to such elegant statements of love as "Ooo Baby Baby," "I Second That Emotion" and "Tears of a Clown." Robinson's unmistakably smooth, heartfelt tenor was the emotional linchpin of the songs, which transcended racial barriers by becoming hits on the white-dominated pop charts of the time. As vice-president of Motown, Robinson was also responsible for crafting the careers of such legendary acts as the Temptations and Marvin Gaye, and penned countless hits for them and other artists that became classics of soul and R&B. After leaving the Miracles in 1972, Robinson was a key figure in the establishment of urban contemporary music, as epitomized by the polished groove of songs like "Cruisin'," "One Heartbeat" and "Just to See Her." As both a solo artist and as a member of the Miracles, Robinson was frequently mentioned by fans and music publications like Rolling Stone and Billboard as one of the greatest artists of the century.