Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
Motown's first major act and Berry Gordy's most trusted collaborator. Robinson met Gordy in 1957 as a seventeen-year-old fronting a doo-wop group called the Matadors. They became the Miracles, and their 1960 single "Shop Around" gave Motown its first million-seller. Robinson's sophisticated songwriting—for his own group and others—elevated Motown's lyrical content above simple pop confection. He also served as vice president at the label, a rare position for a black artist in 1961. Eighteen-year-old Smokey Robinson had encouraged Gordy to start his own label when the songwriter complained about inadequate royalties. The partnership lasted decades. When Gordy moved to Los Angeles, Robinson stayed in Detroit longer than most, loyal to the city and the original Hitsville spirit. Scored twenty-five Top Forty hits during the Sixties.
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Going to a Go-Go
Showcases Smokey Robinson's lyrical sophistication and the Miracles' smooth vocal harmonies, cementing their status as Motown's most consistent and artistically accomplished group. Robinson met Berry Gordy in 1957 as a seventeen-year-old, and by 1965 he was vice president at the label. His songwriting—for himself and others—elevated Motown's lyrical content above simple pop confection. Lines like "I've got sunshine on a cloudy day" from "My Girl" set a standard. "Going to a Go-Go" captured the Miracles at their peak: sophisticated arrangements, Robinson's smooth delivery, and production that balanced polish with soul. The Miracles scored twenty-five Top Forty hits during the Sixties, more than any Motown act except the Supremes.