LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 23: Smokey Robinson attends Shinola x Smokey Robinson: Great American Series Celebration at Shinola LA on January 23, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for Shinola )
Happy 81st birthday to the great Smokey Robinson!
Robinson was born William “Smokey” Robinson Jr. on Feb. 19, 1940, right here in Detroit. He was the founder and front man of the Motown group the Miracles and is one of the central figured in the Detroit sound.
Robinson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, which is totally appropriate, because he’s a true rock star! He also earned the 2016 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize.
Here are some classic Robinson songs!
Other birthdays:
Millie Bobby Brown (17)
Haylie Duff (36)
Benicio Del Toro (54)
Justine Bateman (55)
Seal (58)
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell (62)
Jeff Daniels (66)
Motown legend Smokey Robinson (81)
Anne Erickson's love for music drew her into radio. She started on the airwaves shortly after graduating from MSU. Anne has a passion for rock and metal, and she also fronts the band Upon Wings. Email Anne at erickson@WRIF.com, follow her on Instagram at @EricksonAnne and tweet at her @AnneErickson! Anne covers the Detroit, Philadelphia and Las Vegas markets and beyond.