Post by Jonel on Jan 8, 2004 12:22:12 GMT -5
WHEN SMOKEY SINGS
Thursday, January 8, 2004
By Pati LaLonde
Times Writer
To a young man hailing from the north end of Detroit, hearing his first song on the radio was quite a thrill being played. After more than 40 years, that feeling hasn't changed.
"I was in school with a radio plugged in my ear," said Smokey Robinson. "I can't even describe it. I still feel the same way today. If anything, it's increased for me."
That first hit was called "Got a Job," an answer song to the hit record "Get a Job" by the Silhouettes, which happened to be No. 1 in the world at that time. He's come a long way since then.
Robinson's performance Jan. 15 at Soaring Eagle Casino includes most of the songs he's written along the way. He describes the show as fun and the place to hear all those old favorites as well as his new stuff.
"I play everything," he said. "I'm not one of those artists who doesn't play the old stuff. Without the old stuff there is no in between and no new stuff. Fun is the operative word for the show."
Part of that fun is getting the audience involved in the show, including singing along if they know the words to "Shop Around," "Going to a Go-Go" "You've Really Got a Hold on Me," or "I Second that Emotion," just to scratch the surface.
Robinson got his start when he auditioned for his idol, Jackie Wilson. Along with the Miracles, Wilson and the group performed songs Robinson had written. Wilson's manager discouraged the group, telling them there was already a group with the lead singer singing "high" called The Platters.
On their way out of the studio, a young man who had been sitting in the corner during the audition stopped the group and asked who had written the songs. When Robinson told him he had written the songs, the young man asked to take a look. Robinson thought he wanted to borrow a couple for an audition. That wasn't the case at all.
"It was Barry Gordy, who writes songs for Wilson," Robinson said. "After I picked my bottom lip up off the ground, we started a conversation."
The two also started a little record company called Motown.
"It was a big boost to the city," Robinson said. "When it finally moved out of there, it was like the best friend of the city had died. It was a mournful time for Detroit."
Even though that record company has gone, it had hung a nickname on Detroit that lasts today.
"I really get a thrill going back to Detroit, listening to the newscasters, and they say, 'Here is what is going on in Motown today,"' Robinson said. "Detroit became Motown. I'm really proud of that."
His list of tunes, written not only for himself, but for other Motown greats including Mary Wells, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye and The Marvelettes, led to songs written about him. New wave rockers ABC scored big with "When Smokey Sings."
"I was absolutely flattered out of my shoes," he said. "I had that same experience before. George Harrison had written a song about me. George was a friend. It's just flattering, and I feel very humble about it."
Now Robinson records under his own label, Robso Records, and distributes the music through Liquid 8 Distributors. An album of inspirational songs comes out in March and a new R&B album is scheduled for release in mid-summer.
He's also doing some acting as well. He has a recurring role on the UPN sitcom "One on One," playing Duane's father. "One on One" is on at 8 p.m. Tuesdays on WKBD TV, Channel 6.
He's also had a cameo in a major motion picture, "Hollywood Homicide" with Harrison Ford.
"I love Harrison Ford," he said. "I have all his movies, and I'm a big fan. In the movie Harrison played a detective who loved music, loved Motown, loved Smokey. They had me go over and surprise Harrison. It was a lot of fun. I loved him so much as an actor, and he did not disappoint me."
Robinson says he hopes to keep recording and acting - doing it all for as long as he can.
"I want to do a bunch of acting. I'm headed in that direction," he said. "Thank God I'm viable, still working and people still want to come to see me."
- Pati LaLonde is a features writer for The Bay City Times. She can be reached at (989) 894-9666.
WHO: Smokey Robinson
WHEN: 8 p.m. Jan. 15
WHERE: Soaring Eagle Casino, Mount Pleasant
TICKETS: $30, $38, $47
INFO: (800) 585-3737
www.mlive.com/entertainment/bctimes/index.ssf?/base/features-0/1073578629130700.xml
Courtesy of Michigan Live
Thursday, January 8, 2004
By Pati LaLonde
Times Writer
To a young man hailing from the north end of Detroit, hearing his first song on the radio was quite a thrill being played. After more than 40 years, that feeling hasn't changed.
"I was in school with a radio plugged in my ear," said Smokey Robinson. "I can't even describe it. I still feel the same way today. If anything, it's increased for me."
That first hit was called "Got a Job," an answer song to the hit record "Get a Job" by the Silhouettes, which happened to be No. 1 in the world at that time. He's come a long way since then.
Robinson's performance Jan. 15 at Soaring Eagle Casino includes most of the songs he's written along the way. He describes the show as fun and the place to hear all those old favorites as well as his new stuff.
"I play everything," he said. "I'm not one of those artists who doesn't play the old stuff. Without the old stuff there is no in between and no new stuff. Fun is the operative word for the show."
Part of that fun is getting the audience involved in the show, including singing along if they know the words to "Shop Around," "Going to a Go-Go" "You've Really Got a Hold on Me," or "I Second that Emotion," just to scratch the surface.
Robinson got his start when he auditioned for his idol, Jackie Wilson. Along with the Miracles, Wilson and the group performed songs Robinson had written. Wilson's manager discouraged the group, telling them there was already a group with the lead singer singing "high" called The Platters.
On their way out of the studio, a young man who had been sitting in the corner during the audition stopped the group and asked who had written the songs. When Robinson told him he had written the songs, the young man asked to take a look. Robinson thought he wanted to borrow a couple for an audition. That wasn't the case at all.
"It was Barry Gordy, who writes songs for Wilson," Robinson said. "After I picked my bottom lip up off the ground, we started a conversation."
The two also started a little record company called Motown.
"It was a big boost to the city," Robinson said. "When it finally moved out of there, it was like the best friend of the city had died. It was a mournful time for Detroit."
Even though that record company has gone, it had hung a nickname on Detroit that lasts today.
"I really get a thrill going back to Detroit, listening to the newscasters, and they say, 'Here is what is going on in Motown today,"' Robinson said. "Detroit became Motown. I'm really proud of that."
His list of tunes, written not only for himself, but for other Motown greats including Mary Wells, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye and The Marvelettes, led to songs written about him. New wave rockers ABC scored big with "When Smokey Sings."
"I was absolutely flattered out of my shoes," he said. "I had that same experience before. George Harrison had written a song about me. George was a friend. It's just flattering, and I feel very humble about it."
Now Robinson records under his own label, Robso Records, and distributes the music through Liquid 8 Distributors. An album of inspirational songs comes out in March and a new R&B album is scheduled for release in mid-summer.
He's also doing some acting as well. He has a recurring role on the UPN sitcom "One on One," playing Duane's father. "One on One" is on at 8 p.m. Tuesdays on WKBD TV, Channel 6.
He's also had a cameo in a major motion picture, "Hollywood Homicide" with Harrison Ford.
"I love Harrison Ford," he said. "I have all his movies, and I'm a big fan. In the movie Harrison played a detective who loved music, loved Motown, loved Smokey. They had me go over and surprise Harrison. It was a lot of fun. I loved him so much as an actor, and he did not disappoint me."
Robinson says he hopes to keep recording and acting - doing it all for as long as he can.
"I want to do a bunch of acting. I'm headed in that direction," he said. "Thank God I'm viable, still working and people still want to come to see me."
- Pati LaLonde is a features writer for The Bay City Times. She can be reached at (989) 894-9666.
WHO: Smokey Robinson
WHEN: 8 p.m. Jan. 15
WHERE: Soaring Eagle Casino, Mount Pleasant
TICKETS: $30, $38, $47
INFO: (800) 585-3737
www.mlive.com/entertainment/bctimes/index.ssf?/base/features-0/1073578629130700.xml
Courtesy of Michigan Live
