Lyrics | Artists | Smokey Robinson

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Smokey Robinson

One of the most influential artists of the last 50 years, Smokey Robinson not only recorded two of the tracks that defined the Motown sound - "Tears of a Clown" and "Tracks of My Tears" - he was effectively second in command (to Berry Gordy) at the label for over three decades. Born William Robinson Jr. on February 19, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan, he was strongly influenced by Detroit singer Nolan Strong and formed the vocal group The Five Chimes, later re-named The Matadors, before meeting Berry Gordy. When Gordy founded Motown, he made Smokey Robinson vice-president, and he co-...