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Smokey Robinson

Smokey Robinson discusses his musical milestones with Matt Everitt in a programme first broadcast in 2013.

Smokey Robinson discusses his musical milestones with Matt Everitt in a programme first broadcast in 2013.

Even amongst the ranks of the greatest songwriters of all time, few can claim to have genuinely changed the world. Smokey Robinson can, both as a member of The Miracles and a solo artist. He's sung, written and produced some of the greatest songs of all time - including I Second That Emotion, Tears of a Clown and The Tracks of My Tears. As vice president at Motown for nearly thirty years, he shaped the style and sound of the label and helped the racial integration of popular music by achieving huge crossover success.

Smokey discusses his early life and formative musical influences, meeting Motown founder Berry Gordy, and the enormous worldwide success that followed. He also discusses the challenges he faced in the segregated music industry of the time and tells the stories behind some of his best loved songs.

He also talks openly about the problems he faced in the mid-80s (both professionally and his own battle with drugs) and his creative rebirth - providing an incredible insight into the man Bob Dylan called "America's greatest living poet".

1 hour

Last on

Wed 23 Nov 2022 01:00
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 6 Music

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Kim Gordon

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Peter Gabriel

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Music Played

  • Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

    I Second That Emotion

    • Dancing In The Street (Various Artis.
    • Universal Music Tv.

  • The Spaniels

    Baby It's You

  • Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers

    Why Do Fools Fall In Love

    • That's Rock'n'Roll (Various Artists).
    • EMI.

  • The Miracles

    Got A Job

  • The Miracles

    You've Really Got A Hold On Me

    • The Wanderers (Original S/Track).
    • Sanctuary Records.

  • Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

    The Tracks Of My Tears

    • Soul (Various Artists).
    • Polygram Tv.

  • Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

    Going To A Go-Go

    • Supafunky II (Various Artists).
    • Universal.

  • Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

    The Tears Of A Clown

    • Motown: The Ultimate Hits Collection (Various Artists).
    • Motown.

  • The Miracles

    Sweet Harmony

  • The Miracles

    Baby Tha's Backatcha

  • The Soul Stirrers

    Christ Is All

  • The Beatles

    Baby It's You

    • Apple.

  • The Miracles

    Quiet Storm

  • Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

    Going To A Go-Go

    • Motown.

Broadcasts

  • Sun 24 Nov 2013 13:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 6 Music
  • Sun 1 Dec 2013 02:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 6 Music
  • Wed 3 Jan 2018 01:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 6 Music
  • Sun 17 May 2020 04:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 6 Music
  • Wed 23 Nov 2022 01:00
    Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 6 Music

The first record I ever bought… by Noel Gallagher, Janelle Monae, Florence Welch, Thom Yorke, Elton John and many more

A selection of major artists reveal their first musical purchase.

Podcast

  • The First Time With...

    Interviews with major artists revealing the moments and songs that shaped their careers.