Post by Jonel on May 17, 2003 23:14:39 GMT -5
Smokey Robinson still has a ton of music in him
By Lana K. Wilson-Combs
Friday, May 16, 2003 - CONTRIBUTOR
SINGER, songwriter and producer Smokey Robinson can't count how many times he has sung his classic hit song, "The Tears of A Clown." But the legendary Motown performer who founded and fronted the hit-making, soulful group The Miracles when he was just 13 says he wouldn't dare leave it out of his shows.
"The song 'Tears of A Clown' is undoubtedly an audience all-time favorite," Robinson says. "It just seems to get the audience all pumped up and sets the tone for the rest of the show."
The song became one of the biggest hit records Robinson and The Miracles had throughout the group's illustrious career. But audiences can't seem to get enough of Robinson's sensuous ballads that he composed with the Miracles and later as a solo artist.
His extensive catalog of music includes nearly 4,000 songs he's written for himself and other Motown artists such as Marvin Gaye ("Ain't That Peculiar"), Mary Wells ("My Guy"), the Temptations ("Get Ready" and "My Girl") and many others. He is considered one of the most significant songwriters and producers of all time.
In 1986 Robinson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. And in 1989 he was named a Grammy living legend.
"People ask me how I was able to crank out so many songs over the years," says Robinson. "I'm not quite sure. But I think there was truly some divine intervention going on there."
While he no longer has the famed Miracles to back him up when he performs many of his signature tracks like "Shop Around," "Ooh Baby, Baby," and "The Tracks of My Tears," his three singers and tight six piece band -- which features Motown's longtime collaborative songwriter and guitarist, Marv Tarplin -- nicely complement the 63-year-old singer's still amazingly fine-tuned, silky falsetto.
"Every once in a while at the shows, someone will yell out a request that goes way back from an old album and it is usually one of my obscure songs," says Robinson. "It's a good feeling to know that people enjoy and know a lot of your music, especially those that weren't a big hit. That's a true fan. I always like to acknowledge them. If I can remember the words to the songs, I may even sing a few verses for them."
Earlier this year, rumors were flying that Robinson might be stepping away from the microphone for good and riding off into the sunset. But he says he has absolutely no idea where that "tall tale" came from.
"I still have a ton of music left in me," says Robinson, who is putting the finishing touches on a new album he hopes to release by the end of the year.
"I really wouldn't know what to do if I weren't performing," he said. "This is what I live for. It's what I am. Performing is the favorite part of my work."
Courtesy of the Alameda Times Star
www.timesstar.com/Stories/0,1413,125~1549~1395492,00.html#
By Lana K. Wilson-Combs
Friday, May 16, 2003 - CONTRIBUTOR
SINGER, songwriter and producer Smokey Robinson can't count how many times he has sung his classic hit song, "The Tears of A Clown." But the legendary Motown performer who founded and fronted the hit-making, soulful group The Miracles when he was just 13 says he wouldn't dare leave it out of his shows.
"The song 'Tears of A Clown' is undoubtedly an audience all-time favorite," Robinson says. "It just seems to get the audience all pumped up and sets the tone for the rest of the show."
The song became one of the biggest hit records Robinson and The Miracles had throughout the group's illustrious career. But audiences can't seem to get enough of Robinson's sensuous ballads that he composed with the Miracles and later as a solo artist.
His extensive catalog of music includes nearly 4,000 songs he's written for himself and other Motown artists such as Marvin Gaye ("Ain't That Peculiar"), Mary Wells ("My Guy"), the Temptations ("Get Ready" and "My Girl") and many others. He is considered one of the most significant songwriters and producers of all time.
In 1986 Robinson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. And in 1989 he was named a Grammy living legend.
"People ask me how I was able to crank out so many songs over the years," says Robinson. "I'm not quite sure. But I think there was truly some divine intervention going on there."
While he no longer has the famed Miracles to back him up when he performs many of his signature tracks like "Shop Around," "Ooh Baby, Baby," and "The Tracks of My Tears," his three singers and tight six piece band -- which features Motown's longtime collaborative songwriter and guitarist, Marv Tarplin -- nicely complement the 63-year-old singer's still amazingly fine-tuned, silky falsetto.
"Every once in a while at the shows, someone will yell out a request that goes way back from an old album and it is usually one of my obscure songs," says Robinson. "It's a good feeling to know that people enjoy and know a lot of your music, especially those that weren't a big hit. That's a true fan. I always like to acknowledge them. If I can remember the words to the songs, I may even sing a few verses for them."
Earlier this year, rumors were flying that Robinson might be stepping away from the microphone for good and riding off into the sunset. But he says he has absolutely no idea where that "tall tale" came from.
"I still have a ton of music left in me," says Robinson, who is putting the finishing touches on a new album he hopes to release by the end of the year.
"I really wouldn't know what to do if I weren't performing," he said. "This is what I live for. It's what I am. Performing is the favorite part of my work."
Courtesy of the Alameda Times Star
www.timesstar.com/Stories/0,1413,125~1549~1395492,00.html#
