4 Things You Never Knew About Smokey Robinson, Plus Tour Dates
William “Smokey” Robinson Jr. is one of the most recognizable faces of 1950s music. He is an R&B and soul singer, songwriter, founder and frontman of the Miracles and record producer. These days, he focuses more on helping new artists find their success and has also worked as Motown Records’ vice president. With so many accomplishments and awards, how much do you truly know about the star? Let’s find out more about the 85-year-old star (born on February 19, 1940):
1 He grew up with two powerhouse singers
Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Sony Music
Robinson grew up in the home of Motown: Detroit, Michigan. Several of his neighbors while he was growing up also became famous stars. He has reportedly known Aretha Franklin and Diana Ross since he was around 7 years old as they both lived in the same neighborhood, in the North End area of Detroit. He recalled hearing Franklin sing for the first time when she was just five years old and got goosebumps from the experience. He went on to work with both women, he sang a duet of “Ooo Baby Baby” on Soul Train in 1979 with Franklin; he also dated Ross. He once admitted that Ross had a hold on him, and he had a year-long affair with her while he was with his first wife, Claudette.
2 It is great to be one of Robinson’s crew members
Everett Collection
Reportedly, Robinson has contracts that insist that all crew members are served a hot meal before any performance. His mission is to treat his crew members and all stagehands at his shows well, proving that he is kind and fair with the people who work to support him on stage.
3 Where he got the ‘Smokey’ nickname
Eagle Rock Films/Everett Collection
Robinson once shared that his famous nickname, Smokey, actually came from his uncle and godfather, Claude. He explained, “My uncle Claude was my favorite uncle; he was also my godfather. He and I were really, really close. He used to take me to see cowboy movies all the time when I was a little boy because I loved cowboy movies. He got a cowboy name for me, which was Smokey Joe. So from the time I was three years old if people asked me what my name was I didn’t tell them my name was William, I told them my name was Smokey Joe. That’s what everyone called me until I was about 12, and then I dropped the Joe part.”
“I’ve heard that story about him giving it to me because I’m a light-skinned Black man but that’s not true,” he added.
4 The Miracles received a huge honor
Everett Collection
Robinson founded the Miracles in the ’50s, and the band recorded its first song in 1958. The band met songwriter Berry Gordy just a year earlier after a failed audition for Brunswick Records. However, Gordy was so impressed with Robinson’s voice and songwriting abilities, he decided to help them record their first single, “Got a Job.” The Miracles became one of the first acts to be signed to Gordy’s new record label, Tamla Records, later reincorporated as Motown. With hits such as “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” and “The Tears of a Clown,” Rolling Stone voted them the 32nd Greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll Artists of all time. What’s your favorite song of theirs?
Smokey Robinson 2025 tour dates
Robinson is still out there performing and has several tour dates in 2025. Check out the dates below and purchase tickets on his website.
March 6 – The Paramount, Huntington, NY
March 8 – Hard Rock Hotel Casino Atlantic City, Atlantic City, NJ
March 21 – Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, CA
March 27 – The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor, Windsor, Canada
March 29 – The Venue at Horseshoe Casino, Hammond, IN
April 2 – The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
April 4 – The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
April 5 – The Venetian, Las Vegas, NV
April 18 – Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, Cerritos, CA
May 9 – Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, Biloxi, MS
May 31 – The Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, NY
June 13 – The Fruit Yard Amphitheater, Modesto, CA
June 20 – Kodak Hall, Rochester, NY
July 3 – SEC Armadillo, Glasgow, United Kingdom
July 5 – Love Supreme Festival 2025, Glynde, United Kingdom
July 8 – Utilita Arena Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
July 9 – Utilita Arena Cardiff, Cardiff, United Kingdom
July 11 – Eventim Apollo, London, United Kingdom
July 26 – The Mountain Winery, Saratoga, CA
August 2 – The Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
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