The Boomer REport - Music Fun Facts

Smokey Robinson and the Miracles 10 Fun Facts

  1. They were the first act signed to Motown – Before The Supremes or The Temptations, The Miracles (then “The Matadors”) were the first group Berry Gordy brought into his label.
  2. Smokey’s real name is William Robinson, Jr. – His uncle nicknamed him “Smokey Joe” when he was a kid, and he dropped the “Joe” when he became a performer.
  3. He co-wrote over 4,000 songs – Smokey wasn’t just a performer—he wrote major hits for The Temptations, Mary Wells, Marvin Gaye, and more.
  4. “Shop Around” was Motown’s first million-seller – Released in 1960, it helped put Motown on the map and became the label’s first national hit.
  5. He wrote “My Girl” for The Temptations – Though he could’ve kept it for The Miracles, Smokey knew the song was a perfect fit for David Ruffin’s voice.
  6. He had a unique songwriting process – Smokey wrote songs as poems first, crafting melodies afterward—many with classical structure and rich metaphor.
  7. He almost retired in the ’70s – After stepping back to focus on Motown’s business, Smokey came roaring back with Cruisin’ in 1979, which became one of his biggest solo hits.
  8. He helped discover The Supremes and Stevie Wonder – As a Motown executive and writer, Smokey was instrumental in mentoring the label’s future stars.
  9. He was known as “The Poet Laureate of Soul” – His romantic, introspective, and lyrical writing earned him a rare nickname among songwriters.
  10. He appeared on Soul Train more than any Motown artist – Smokey was a Don Cornelius favorite and had multiple hits during the Soul Train era.