Real Name: William Robinson Jr.
Date of Birth / Formation: February 19, 1940
Age / Status: 86 years old
Origin: Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Primary roles: Singer, songwriter, record producer; founder and frontman of The Miracles
Active period: 1955–present
Styles: R&B, soul, quiet storm, adult contemporary
Smokey Robinson is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer who is one of the most successful and influential artists in music history. After a legendary career with The Miracles and as a Motown executive, he achieved a major career resurgence as a solo artist in the 1980s. He scored massive hits like 'Being with You', 'One Heartbeat', and the Grammy-winning 'Just to See Her'. Known for his soulful, high-tenor voice and exceptional songwriting, Robinson was a staple of the decade's R&B and adult contemporary charts. He has won multiple awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His enduring popularity and timeless hits have made him a true legend of global music, celebrated for his immense talent and pioneering career.
Robinson formed a doo‑wop group in 1955 that evolved into the Miracles. As the group's lead singer, chief songwriter and producer he helped establish Tamla/Motown, writing and producing numerous hit singles through the 1960s and becoming a central creative figure at the label. [1]
After leaving the Miracles in 1972 and briefly retiring from touring, Robinson rebuilt a solo career across the 1970s and 1980s. He scored major adult‑contemporary and R&B hits in the early 1980s, toured extensively and in 1987 returned with the commercially successful One Heartbeat album and its Grammy‑winning single. [1]
Single, 1970, UK [2]
Single, 1981, UK [2]
Chart summary: Smokey Robinson achieved 2 UK Number 1 singles on the main Official UK Singles and Albums Charts. The cards above list each verified chart-topper. [2]
Robinson formed his first vocal group (later the Miracles) with childhood friends in Detroit, beginning a partnership that would help launch Motown's early success. [1]
The Miracles' 'Shop Around' became Motown's first million‑selling single, establishing Robinson and the group as foundational figures at Tamla/Motown. [1]
Robinson left the Miracles as a performing member to focus on his role as Motown vice president and to spend more time with his family. [1]
Robinson returned as a solo artist with albums beginning in 1973 and solidified his solo identity with the influential 1975 album A Quiet Storm. [1]
Robinson recorded the R&B ballad 'Ebony Eyes' with Rick James, a notable early‑1980s Motown collaboration between two established artists. [1]
The One Heartbeat album and its singles (including 'Just to See Her' and 'One Heartbeat') returned Robinson to the pop and adult contemporary Top Ten; 'Just to See Her' earned a Grammy in 1988. [1]
A concise 1980s snapshot paired with a source-linked status update checked on 17 July 2026.
The profile’s own 1980s timeline captures Smokey Robinson’s era-defining momentum. These late-decade milestones anchor the period in the original profile.
No death date listed. Wikidata does not list a death date for Smokey Robinson. MusicBrainz lists What the World Needs Now (25 April 2025) as the newest catalogued album linked to Smokey Robinson. The catalogue note is used as a documented update, rather than a claim about touring or an unverified 2026 project.
No short interview quotation was included because an exact, attributable public transcript could not be verified for this profile.
Annotations cover the supplied songs in order; peaks and years are included only when confidently attested in the supplied reference.
Lyrics note: Full copyrighted lyrics are not reproduced. The notes below are original summaries of each song’s themes and imagery.
Lyric theme: A smooth, romantic plea celebrating physical and emotional closeness; styled for R&B and adult‑contemporary radio.
Lyric theme: Tender love song that frames devotion and longing; delivered in a mature, soulfully restrained vocal performance.
Lyric theme: An upbeat, midtempo affirmation of romantic partnership, blending R&B warmth with adult‑contemporary polish.
Lyric theme: A relaxed, intimate love ballad built around a memorable guitar motif and spare, sensual arrangements.
Lyric theme: A romantic R&B duet pairing Robinson's smooth tenor with funk‑inflected production and crossover soul sensibilities.