see photo credit |
It all began with THE MIRACLES in '55. Robinson was the singer/song writer and producer of the group. In 1972 he retired from the group to become the vice-president of MOTOWN. He enjoyed being a solo act after 1972. And, was inducted into ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME in 1987.
Robinson along with songwriter BERRY GORDY created TAMLA Records, that later became part of MOTOWN in 1957.
WIKIPEDIA says: " Until the late sixties, Robinson was teetotal, drug-free, a vegetarian and a self-described "health nut". However, by the time he was in his late twenties, Robinson began using marijuana. By the seventies, he was also dabbling in cocaine; however, Robinson said he only used it for recreation. By the early eighties, however, he had begun developing a cocaine addiction. Following the deaths of his father and close label mate Marvin Gaye, the demise of his marriage and his own career troubles, Robinson developed an addiction to crack.".
WOW, again I see that wonderful musicians, who first 'tried' marijuana went onto other drugs, making their lives so much more painful and difficult than if they left the drugs alone. Smokey had extramarital affairs, that ended in his divorce to Claudette Roger also in the group the Miracles that he married in 1959. Jan
I found 'I heard it through the grapevine' by The Miracles', [thanks KingRizlaa ]. This all it says on the video page: " Uploaded on Jan 27, 2010 Original version".
From WIKIPEDIA and Jan again....SMOKEY ROBINSON and THE MIRACLES were the first to record this tune, written by NORMAN WHITFIELD and HERE and BARRETT STRONG for MOTOWN in 1966, that version was was refused by Berry Gordy...then, recorded by MARVIN GAYE in 1967, refused again by Berry Gordy...BUMMER, Finally in September of '67, a GLADYS KNIGHT AND THE PIPS version was O.Ked and released...Right up there, number #2 on THE BILLBOARD CHARTS. So, Marvin Gaye's version was recognsidered and released in Sept. '68,.... hit the top of the charts and stayed there for 7 weeks. The rest is history 'I Heard it Through the Grapevine' by Marvin Gaye [thanks CatRevolver] became and still is a 'Soul Classic' but it was first recorded by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles. in 2004, THE ROLLING STONE put in on their 100 greatest hits list. Jan
PHOTO CREDIT: Transistr_sistr cc
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Smokey Robinson and The Miracles tune links below.
1.] YOU REALLY GOT AHOLD ON ME, by The Miracles, from latacabre1
2.] TRACKS OF MY TEARS, by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, from soulmusic87
3.] TEARS OF A CLOWN, by Smokey Robinson, from UschisChannel2
4.] BABY, BABY DON'T CRY, by Smokey and the Miracles, from jameycruz2
5.] OOO BABY, BABY, by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, from TheBillie HolidayExperience
6.] I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE, by Marvin Gaye, from CatRevolver
7.] I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE, by Gladys Knight and the Pips, from motowniscool