Smokey Robinson

Birth Name:

William Robinson

Birth Place:

Detroit, Michigan, United States

Profession

Soundtrack, Actor, Music department, Writer, Producer

In 1987, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Was an award recipient at the 2006 Kennedy Center Honors
Won a National Medal of Arts in 2002
Received an honorary doctorate degree in music from Howard University in 2006
Started out singing in high school, where he formed the music group The Miracles
Founded the ready-to-eat food company Smokey Robinson Foods
Grew up in the same neighborhood as legendary musician Diana Ross and was a childhood friend of Aretha Franklin
In the 1960s, he started working as the vice president of Motown Records
Was the person who suggested to music executive Berry Gordy that he should start Motown Records

Fast Facts