The chemistry between the two men was instant, and Gordy gave Smokey the task of being the label's main songwriter. Smokey delivered right away, penning The Miracles' first #1 hit "Shop Around," which topped the Billboard R&B Chart for eight weeks in 1960. The Miracles' second #1 came in 1962 with the chart-topper, "You've Really Got a Hold On Me," and it was clear that Smokey was having no problem fitting the role of singer-songwriter. He proved himself with a slew of hits during the next few years, including 1964's "My Guy" which became a hit for Mary Wells, and, along with fellow Miracle Ronnie White, Smokey wrote The Temptations' smash hit "My Girl," which proved to be a defining moment in Motown history. The song paired Smokey's songwriting with the airtight harmonies of one of R&B's greatest vocal groups, yielding a chemistry that would produce hits like "The Way You Do the Things You Do," "Since I Lost My Baby," and "Get Ready." Now that he had proven his worth to the label, Robinson focused on his group, The Miracles, and they released an amazing album in 1965 entitled "Going to a Go-Go." The album dropped like a bomb, and exploded with hits like "Ooh Baby Baby," "The Tracks of My Tears," "My Girl has Gone," and the title cut "Going to a Go-Go." Following this success, Smokey went on to write hit songs for Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops, The Marvelletes, and The Contours. After countless hits, and nearly two decades of success, he left The Miracles in the mid-70s to concentrate on his own family, but didn't stop making his own music. His 1976 solo album "Quiet Storm" is a baby-making classic, and an album that has spawned a genre for soft, slow ballads. Smokey went on to score more hits in the 80's as a solo act, and he continues to perform today.
It was a Smokey Robinson song that would ultimately launch the career of America's greatest musical treasure, Michael Jackson. The Miracles' hit "Who's Loving You" had become a staple in the touring act of brothers known as the Jackson 5, from Gary, Indiana. After working for months to get an audition meeting with Berry Gordy, a 10-year-old Michael sang the song and blew the entire room away. "I wrote the song...I thought I sang it," joked Smokey at Michael's eulogy this past summer, regarding the child prodigy's vocal abilities. Smokey would go on to act as a mentor to Michael throughout his career, and also become the Vice President of arguably the most talented record label of all-time, forming a Mount Rushmore of talent with Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Michael Jackson.
In a career that spans almost 50 years, Smokey has over 4,000 songs to his credit, a feat that shows not only how prolific of a songwriter he was, but how much music he had inside of him. His influence can be felt through the music of The Beatles, and Lionel Richie, as well as in Broadway shows, television commercials, and countless documentaries. He is musical history, and continues to lend his insight to younger generations through his work with American Idol, speaking engagements, and live concerts. America is a better place thanks to his musical contributions, and Lowriders from 8 to 80 will undoubtedly continue to play his music in their rides for many years to come.