The Miracles

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The Miracles

The most familiar incarnation of The Miracles. From left to right: Smokey Robinson, Claudette Rogers Robinson, Ronald White, Pete Moore, and Bobby Rogers.
Background information
Also known as The Matadors, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
Origin Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Genres R&B/soul
Years active 1955–1983; 1993–present
Labels End, Tamla/Motown, Columbia
Members
*Bobby Rogers
*Claudette Rogers Robinson
Dave Finley
Tee Turner
Mark Scott
Former members
*Smokey Robinson
*Ronnie White (deceased)
*Pete Moore
*Marv Tarplin
Billy Griffin
Sidney Justin
Donald Griffin
Alphonse Franklin
—
+James Grice
+Emerson "Sonny" Rogers
+Clarence Dawson

*Original Members
+Pre-Miracles group members

The Miracles (known from 1965 to 1972 as Smokey Robinson & the Miracles) is an American rhythm and blues group from Detroit, Michigan, notable as Motown royalty, the first successful group act for Berry Gordy's Motown Records. The Miracles went on to become one of Motown's signature acts of the 1960s, during which time their original lead singer and founding member Smokey Robinson became one of the most successful songwriters and record producers of all time.

During their nineteen year run on the American music charts, The Miracles charted over fifty hits and recorded in the genres of doo wop, soul, disco, and R&B. Twenty-six Miracles songs reached the Top Ten of the Billboard R&B singles chart, including four R&B number ones. Sixteen of the Miracles' songs charted within the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100, with seven songs charting within the Top Ten and two - 1970's "The Tears of a Clown" and 1975's "Love Machine" (Part 1) - reaching number-one.

In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked Smokey Robinson & the Miracles[1] #32 on their list of The Immortals: 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.[2]

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Early years

The Miracles began with two young Detroit students, William Robinson and Ronald White, who had become friends and started singing together while in the fifth grade. Robinson, nicknamed "Smokey" because of his love of cowboy movies, started a doo-wop group called The Five Chimes in 1955 at Northern High School with himself, White, bass singer Pete Moore (another childhood friend who Smokey knew since he was age 11), Clarence Dawson, and James Grice. Within a half a year, Dawson and Grice had been replaced by cousins Emerson and Bobby Rogers, and the group's name had been changed to The Matadors. Rogers and Robinson were actually born on the same day - February 19, 1940 - in the same Detroit hospital, although they did not meet until they were fifteen years old.

Emerson Rogers was drafted in 1956. He was replaced by his sister Claudette Rogers, who married Smokey Robinson in November 1959. In 1958, the group added guitarist Marv Tarplin , who had originally been the accompanist for The Primettes (later known as The Supremes).

In 1958, the Matadors auditioned for the manager of Detroit soul star Jackie Wilson, who turned the group down because he felt their sound and four-man-one-woman lineup were too similar to The Platters, a popular vocal group. On their way out the door, the group ran into one of Wilson's chief songwriters, Berry Gordy, Jr. Gordy took a liking to the group, and eventually became the group's manager. In addition, Gordy worked closely with Robinson, the Matadors' chief songwriter, helping him to improve his songcraft.

Gordy and his colleague Billy Davis had written a song called "Got a Job" as an answer song to "Get a Job", a recent hit by The Silhouettes. The Matadors recorded the single, and Gordy arranged a record deal for them with End Records. At this time, they changed their name to The Miracles, as "Matadors" had a masculine sound to it, and the group now included a woman. Gordy became the group's main outside collaborator, and he and Robinson wrote another Miracles single, "Bad Girl". Issued on Chess Records, "Bad Girl" became the group's first national charting single on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #93. Other early songs that brought regional attention to the group included "Way Over There"( which eventually charted nationally at #94 Pop), "I Need A Change", "I Cry" (1958), "Whatever Makes You Happy" (1963), "I Need Some Money"(1959) , '"I Love Your Baby" (1959), "Would I Love You", "Mama Done Told Me", "Happy Landing" (1962), and "(You Can) Depend on Me (1959) ".

Frustrated by low financial returns due to the group's practice of selling their masters to various labels, Robinson suggested Gordy start his own record label. Thus, in 1959, Gordy founded Tamla Records (later Motown), and signed The Miracles as one of his first acts. By 1961, Robinson would be appointed vice-president of the corporation.

The Miracles in the early 1960s. Clockwise from top left: Bobby Rogers, Marv Tarplin , Ronald White, Claudette Rogers, and Smokey Robinson. At the time of this photograph, Miracles member Pete Moore (not pictured) was serving in the US Army after being drafted.

[edit] Success at Motown: 1960 - 1967

After three unsuccessful singles, The Miracles' fourth Tamla single, "Shop Around" backed with "Who's Lovin' You" (1960), became their first Motown hit. "Shop Around" was the first Motown song to reach #1 on the national R&B charts, and the first to sell over a million copies. Both sides of this record became standards for R&B and rock musicians for several decades afterwards. In the wake of this success, the Miracles became the first-ever Motown act to perform on Dick Clark's American Bandstand in February,1961. "Shop Around" was followed by many more hits, including "You Really Got a Hold on Me" (Top 10) (1962), "What's So Good About Goodbye" (1962), "I'll Try Something New (1962)" "Mickey's Monkey" (Top 10) (1963), "I Gotta Dance to Keep From Crying" (1963), "I Like It Like That" (1964), "That's What Love Is Made Of" (1964), "Come On Do The Jerk" (1964), "Going to a Go-Go" (1965), "My Girl Has Gone" (1965), "The Tracks Of My Tears" (1965), and their signature song, "Ooo Baby Baby" (all Top 20-1965). The Miracles had become a national sensation.

During this period, The Miracles were the most popular group on the label. The Miracles' success paved the way for all future Motown stars, and, as a result, the group was the headlining act of the Motor Town Revue, a nationwide package concert touring show which showcased Motown artists. Their exciting live performances earned them the nickname, "The Showstoppers". The group also influenced a significant number of outside performers as well, particularly The Beatles, who covered The Miracles' "You Really Got a Hold on Me" on their second album, With the Beatles. John Lennon of the Beatles acknowledged Smokey Robinson as one of his favorite writers, and named the Miracles' "I've Been Good To You" as one of his favorite songs. Another Beatles song, Ask Me Why, also written by Lennon, was influenced by The Miracles' hit "What's So Good About Goodbye". George Harrison also greatly admired Robinson and paid tribute to him in his 1976 song 'Pure Smokey', while The Rolling Stones covered their hit "Going to a Go-Go". The Hollies covered the group's 1963 smash "Mickey's Monkey". The Zombies also covered "You've Really Got a Hold On Me", while The Who covered The Miracles' hit, "I Gotta Dance to Keep From Crying". While the British Invasion meant the end of many American artists' recording careers, it had very little effect on The Miracles, who continued having hits throughout this period. In fact, The Miracles were a major influence on many British Invasion groups in particular.In addition, artists of many diverse musical genres have covered their songs, including Jazz, Country & Western, MOR, Reggae, Hip-Hop, Rock, and Pop, as well as R&B/Soul. (See "Cover Versions" section).

Behind the scenes, Robinson (often assisted by the other Miracles), handled most of the songwriting and production for not only the Miracles, but for most of the acts on Motown during this early period. During the first half of the 1960s, Robinson tutored labelmates The Supremes and The Temptations. Indeed, by the time each group had its breakthrough hit in 1964, the Miracles had already issued a double-LP greatest hits album, Greatest Hits from the Beginning.

In addition to penning their own material, Miracles Robinson, White, Rogers,Tarplin, and Moore wrote for many of their labelmates as well. Motown hits written, but not recorded, by members of the Miracles include songs for the Temptations ("The Way You Do The Things You Do", "My Girl","Don't Look Back", "Since I Lost My Baby","It's Growing" ,"Get Ready"), Mary Wells ("My Guy", "The One Who Really Loves You","What Love Has Joined Together" "Two Lovers"), Marvin Gaye ("I'll Be Doggone", "Ain't That Peculiar"), The Marvelettes ("Don't Mess With Bill"), The Contours ("First I Look at the Purse), and Brenda Holloway ("When I'm Gone").

Despite their success, the Miracles were beset with a number of personal problems during the early and mid-1960s. During the first Motor Town Revue tour, Smokey Robinson caught the Asian flu, requiring Claudette Robinson to take over his role as lead singer until he recovered. In addition, Pete Moore was drafted into the US Army, and remained away from the group for over a year. Smokey and Claudette Robinson made plans to begin a family, but the rough life of touring caused Claudette to have several miscarriages. In early 1964, Claudette decided to retire from the road and remain at home in Detroit. From this point on, Claudette did not tour with the Miracles or appear in any official group photographs or on television, although she continued to sing backup with the group in the studio until 1972.

[edit] Smokey Robinson & the Miracles: 1965 - 1971

After Claudette Robinson's departure, the remaining Miracles appeared in The T.A.M.I. Show, a 1964 concert film recorded live at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, and distributed nationally by American International Pictures, which also featured The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, The Beach Boys, Lesley Gore, Chuck Berry, The Rolling Stones, Gerry & the Pacemakers, and James Brown & The Famous Flames. The Miracles also appeared on many of the popular variety television programs of the period, including The Ed Sullivan Show, Shindig!, Hullabaloo, American Bandstand, Where The Action Is, The Mike Douglas Show, The Andy Williams Show,Teen Town ,Upbeat , and Britain's Ready Steady Go. Acknowledging Robinson's presence upfront, Motown Records' President and founder Berry Gordy changed the Miracles' name to "Smokey Robinson & the Miracles" in 1965, although they were billed as simply "The Miracles" on their 45s until "The Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage", a Top 20 pop hit, in 1967. On that song's flip side was "Come Spy with Me"; The Miracles sang the original theme to the 1967 20th Century Fox film of the same name. Very popular in The United Kingdom, in 1968, The Miracles went to England, where they gave a Royal Command Performance for Queen Elizabeth.[1]

After scoring a few more major hits such as "(Come 'Round Here) I'm The One You Need" (1966), the Top 10 "I Second That Emotion" (1967), and "More Love" (1967) , the Miracles,along with several other classic Motown acts , experienced a slight chart decline during the late '60's. The group still continued to chart hits, however, including "If You Can Want" (1968),"Yester Love" (1968) , "Special Occasion" (1968), "Here I Go Again" (1969), and the Top 10 "Baby, Baby Don't Cry" (1969). Constantly away from home and his family, Smokey Robinson began planning to leave the group for a solo career, which would allow him more time to remain at home and concentrate on his role as Vice-President of Motown Records. Robinson told White, Moore, and Rogers of his intentions in 1969, but Robinson decided to stay for two more years when the group's 1970 single "The Tears of a Clown" became their biggest hit to date.

"The Tears of a Clown" had, in fact, been recorded in 1967 for the album Make It Happen, and became the group's first US number-one hit (and their only number-one hit with Smokey Robinson). Also in 1970, the group was given its own ABC television special, The Smokey Robinson Show, which starred The Miracles, and guest-starred The Temptations, The Supremes, and Stevie Wonder.

[edit] Exit Smokey Robinson, enter Billy Griffin

After one more Top 20 hit in late 1971, "I Don't Blame You At All", Robinson announced that he would indeed leave the Miracles, and the group began a six-month farewell tour of the United States. Coinciding with this tour was the release of the group's final studio album with Robinson, Flying High Together (1972). The lead single, "We've Come Too Far To End It Now", became a Top 10 R&B hit.

Robinson's final performance as a Miracle was at the Carter Barron Amphitheater in Washington, D.C. on July 16, 1972. For this performance, Claudette Robinson rejoined the group onstage for the first time in eight years. At the conclusion of the concert, which Motown later released as a live album entitled "Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: 1957-1972", Robinson introduced the group's new lead singer, Billy Griffin. Griffin was introduced to national television audiences on NBC's The Midnight Special, on an episode guest-starring The Miracles and hosted by Smokey Robinson, broadcast on July 13, 1973.

Griffin's arrival meant the departure of not only Smokey Robinson,but his wife, Claudette Robinson and Marv Tarplin as well. Tarplin continued to tour and work with Smokey Robinson, while his replacement,Griffin's brother Donald,became The Miracles' new guitarist. Claudette retired from recording. The group's first post-Smokey album, featuring Billy on lead, was 1973's critically-acclaimed album, Renaissance. The Miracles continued, scoring 9 more charting singles, including two more Top 40 hits: 1973's #13 million - selling hit "Do It Baby"[3], and 1976's multi-million- selling* #1 Pop smash hit "Love Machine (Part 1)", the group's biggest hit, taken from their Platinum-selling City of Angels album.[2] The Miracles also scored a Top 10 R&B hit with "Don't Cha Love It". However, the group's following releases did not match the success of "Love Machine". In 1977, they left Motown for Columbia Records, where their releases did not make the impact of their many previous hits.

[edit] Later years, The RRHOF controversy, awards and accolades

In 1978, Billy Griffin and Pete Moore retired from performing to concentrate on songwriting. Griffin later went on to enjoy a briefly successful solo career in the 1980s, scoring a hit with "Hold Me Tighter in the Rain" in 1982. Ronnie White and Bobby Rogers recruited new members Dave Finley and Carl Cotton. After reuniting with Smokey Robinson on the Motown 25 television special in 1983, (minus Ronnie White), the Miracles essentially disbanded and ceased to perform.

Motown held a 35th anniversary retrospective for the Miracles in 1993, and Ronnie White and Bobby Rogers decided to reunite the group. The two of them and Dave Finley recruited Sidney Justin (formerly of Shalamar) as the new fourth member, and began making personal appearances and touring. White, the last founding member remaining in the group, died of leukemia in 1995, and the other three members carried on as a trio.

In 1987, Smokey Robinson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist. In a move that has since sparked much controversy, the other original Miracles – Bobby Rogers, Ronnie White, Pete Moore,Marv Tarplin, and Claudette Robinson – were not inducted. Nor was '70s Miracles lead singer Billy Griffin. This has miffed Robinson, Motown alumnus, music industry insiders, and Miracles fans, who feel the entire group deserves induction.[3] Particularly so, since Rolling Stone Magazine had already listed The Miracles among its Immortals-The 50 Greatest Artists Of All Time and because the group has three songs on The Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame's own list of The 500 Songs That Helped Shape Rock and Roll. The Miracles as a group were honored with the national Rhythm and Blues Foundation's Pioneer Award in 1997, and inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2001.

A video retrospective of the Miracles' work, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: The Definitive Performances, was released on DVD by Motown Records and Universal Home Video in late 2006. It featured new interview footage with original Miracles Smokey Robinson, Pete Moore, and Bobby Rogers. This DVD has been awarded Certified Gold status By The RIAA.[4] In early 2007, "The Tracks of My Tears" became the fourth Miracles song to be inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. The other inducted songs are "Shop Around" (inducted 2006), "The Tears of a Clown" (inducted 2002), and "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" (inducted 1998). Three Miracles songs, "The Tracks of My Tears", "Ooo Baby Baby", and "Shop Around" are in Rolling Stone magazine's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time", and their 1965 Going To a Go-Go album is on Rolling Stone's list of "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time". With their song "The Tears of a Clown", The Miracles are also noted as the first-ever Motown group to have a #1 record in England. Their million-selling song "The Tracks of My Tears" was honored by the Record Industry Association of America (RIAA) as #127 on their list of the Songs of the Century-the 365 Greatest Songs of the 20th Century, and on May 14, 2008, the song was preserved by the United States Library of Congress as an "culturally, historically and aesthetically significance" to the National Recording Registry. It was also chosen as one of the Top 10 Best Songs of All Time by a panel of 20 top industry songwriters and producers including Hal David, Paul McCartney, Brian Wilson, Jerry Leiber, and others as reported to Britain's Mojo music magazine, and was also winner of "The Award Of Merit" from The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) for the song's writers, Miracles members Pete Moore,Marv Tarplin, and Smokey Robinson.[5].

Also, every member of The Miracles (except Claudette), has been a winner of the prestigious BMI award for Songwriting.[4] Famed bandleader/arranger/producer Quincy Jones referred to The Miracles as "The Beethovens of The 20th Century", due to their prolific songwriting talents, and huge body of composed hit records. (reference: The Miracles:The Definitive Performances (1963–1987)). Cable TV network VH-1 chose The Miracles as #61 in their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time, and in 2008, Billboard magazine, on the 50th anniversary of its Hot 100 chart, recently ranked them as #71 in its list of the Top 100 Artists of All Time. In addition, "Going to a Go-Go", "The Tracks of My Tears", and "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" are on The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's list of "The 500 Songs That Helped Shape Rock and Roll", and Rolling Stone Magazine ranked the Miracles as #32 in their list of "The Immortals: The 100 Greatest Artists of All Time".

Tee Turner, who had been serving as the group's bassist, was made a fourth vocalist in 2001.[5] Today, the Miracles are composed of classic-era member Bobby Rogers, along with Dave Finley, Tee Turner, and lead singer Mark Scott. Claudette Robinson performs with the group upon special request. The group continues to tour and perform throughout the United States, Canada and Europe, in 2001. The Miracles were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. And, although not technically a Doo-Wop group, (though they did start out in that era and genre), The Miracles have also been inducted into the Doo-Wop Hall of Fame[6].

[edit] The Original Miracles Today

Today, original member Pete Moore is owner and CEO of his own Las Vegas-based entertainment firm, WBMM Enterprises.[7] He and his wife are parents to twin daughters, Monette and Monique. Bobby Rogers, tours nationally and internationally with the current Miracles group. Divorced from his first wife, Marvelettes member Wanda Young and now re-married for many years to current wife Joan ,he has 4 grown children,Bobbae, Gina, Kimberly & Robert III . Ronnie White became an affluent real estate developer*. He died at the age of 57, and is survived by his wife, Gloria, a son, Ron II, and a daughter, Pamela.His first wife, Earlyn,and eldest daughter Michelle, preceded him in death. Claudette Robinson is the First Lady of Motown, an active board member of the national Rhythm and Blues Foundation, HAL (Heroes & Legends) Awards, and she continues to perform at selected concerts with the Miracles. She is also writing her memoirs for publishing. She and Smokey are now divorced, and have 2 grown children, Berry and Tamla. Smokey Robinson owns a food corporation, Smokey Robinson Foods[8] and continues to tour and record as a solo artist. His current wife is Frances Glandney, and he has another son, Trey Robinson . Marv Tarplin, after leaving The Miracles in 1973, continued to tour and work with Smokey Robinson for another 36 years,until he retired in 2008.He and his wife of many years, Sylvia, have a daughter,Talease. Sylvia died in 2004.[9] .

The original Miracles, Bobby Rogers, Pete Moore, Claudette Robinson and Smokey Robinson, re-united in Detroit in 2007 to celebrate the group's 50th anniversary, and performed in a tribute to Motown founder Berry Gordy.

In 2006, Woodbridge Estates, an exclusive residential development in The City of Detroit , named their community park "Miracles Park" and one of its streets "Miracles Boulevard", in recognition of the legendary Motown group's importance to the city, and as a tribute to their many accomplishments in the music industry. To date, The Miracles have sold over 40,000,000 records worldwide,[10] and have won numerous Gold and Platinum Records,[11] and other music industry awards.

Despite the inductions of many of their Motown labelmates, as of 2009, The Miracles, Motown's first group, the artists most responsible for establishing the label's early success, still have not been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame.

[edit] Hollywood Walk of Fame

On March 20, 2009, in Motown Records' 50th anniversary year, the Miracles received the latest of many career awards when they were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame [12] [13][14] more than fifty years after the group's founding in 1957. That effort was led by public relations veteran Ron Brewington. The Star is located on the southwest corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Sycamore Street, one block east of La Brea Boulevard. The ceremony was attended by original Miracles Smokey Robinson, Claudette Robinson, Pete Moore, Bobby Rogers, Billy Griffin, and the late Ronnie White's widow Gloria, his daughter Pamela and granddaughter Mya; along with Berry Gordy and Stevie Wonder, and other celebrities including, Brian and Eddie Holland (of Holland-Dozier-Holland), Mary Wilson of The Supremes, Al B Sure!, Freda Payne, and her sister, former Supreme Scherrie Payne, Motown songwriter Janie Bradford, Kevin Frazier of Entertainment Tonight, and a host of family, friends and fans. Speaking in tribute to the group, Motown founder and First President Berry Gordy Jr. said:"Without The Miracles, Motown would not be the Motown it is today".

[6][7]

[edit] Cover versions

The Miracles, Motown's first group, are the most covered Motown group of all time. Their music and songs have influenced artists all over the world - in every major musical genre - over the last 50 years.[15] Almost all of their hits were self-written, making them unique among Motown acts. Many of the Miracles' songs have been major hits or important recordings for other artists. Among these are:

References: Allmusic, The Covers Project.

[edit] The Miracles : Awards & Professional Recognition

  • Every member of The Miracles (except Claudette) has been awarded the BMI award for songwriting .(Reference: Ebony,Oct 1971,pg 169).
  • Berry Gordy's Motown Record Corporation's signature act; their first Group, and their first million selling act was The Miracles.
  • Without The Miracles there would be no Motown, quoted Berry Gordy, 3/20/2009 @ Miracles HWOF Ceremony.
  • Without The Miracles there would be no Stevie Wonder, quoted Stevie Wonder, 3/20/2009 @ Miracles HWOF Ceremony.
  • The Miracles Day, dedicated in Hollywood, California, March 20, 2009.
  • Gold & Platinum Record (Single & Album) Awards (Sales of more than 500,000 or 1,000,000 units)
  • Worldwide over 40 Million records sold.
  • Motown DVD The Miracles:The Definitive Performances (1963–1987) awarded Certified Gold status by the RIAA.
  • Twenty six of The Miracles single releases reached the Top Ten Billboard R&B Charts
  • Four of The Miracles' songs reached #1 on Billboard R&B Charts
  • Sixteen releases of The Miracles' recordings reached Billboards Hot 100's Pop Top 20 List with 7 Pop Top Tens.
  • Two Miracles songs,the multi-million sellers Tears of a Clown, and "Love Machine", reach #1 on Billboard Pop chart. A third song, their 1st million-seller Shop Around, reached #1 on Cash Box Pop chart. It was also the Motown label's first Billboard #1 R&B Hit.
  • Four time inductees Grammy Hall of Fame.
  • Doo-Wop Hall of Fame Inductees.
  • Triple induction Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's "500 Best" song List.
  • Double recipient of the prestigious "Heroes and Legends" Award.
  • Winner- Rhythm & Blues Foundation's Pioneer Award
  • Vocal Group Hall of Fame Induction & Award
  • Spirit of Detroit Award
  • Rolling Stone Magazine named The Miracles #32 in its list of "The Immortals": The 50 Greatest Rock n' Roll Artists" of All Time (the highest ranking Motown group on the listing).
  • Billboard Magazine lists The Miracles among The 100 Greatest Artists of all Time (#71).
  • VH-1 lists The Miracles among The 100 Greatest Artists of all Time (#61).
  • Under the terms of the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000, the Library's National Recording Preservation Board announced The Miracles' million seller, "Tracks of My Tears" being "culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant" to preserve for all time in the United States Library of Congress.
  • Miracles Boulevard and Miracles Park named after the group, Detroit, Michigan (Woodbridge Estates) [16]
  • Governor of the State of Michigan, Certificate of Tribute and recognition of The Miracles and their importance to the state of Michigan and the city of Detroit for tremendous accomplishments in the music industry.
  • Mayor of Detroit Proclamation for a Lifetime of history making accomplishments in music.
  • Resolution Award, the Detroit City Council gave the Highest Honor they can present to The Miracles for 5 decades of unchallenged achievements in the music industry.
  • City of Beverly Hills, CA, Beverly Hills Mayor & City Council Proclamation recognizing The Miracles contributions to the music industry and American Culture.
  • Miracles members Pete Moore,Marv Tarplin, and Smokey Robinson are winners of "The Award Of Merit" from The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), for composing The Tracks Of My Tears .
  • The Miracles received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on March 20, 2009.

[edit] Members

Main article: List of The Miracles band members
  • Smokey Robinson (1955–1972)
  • Ronnie White (1955–1983; 1993–1995)
  • Pete Moore (1955–1978)
  • Clarence Dawson (1955)
  • James Grice (1955)
  • Emerson Rogers (1956)
  • Bobby Rogers (1956–1983; 1993–present)
  • Claudette Rogers (Robinson) (1957-1973)*
  • Marv Tarplin (1958-1973)**
  • Billy Griffin (1972–1978; late 1990s)
  • Donald Griffin (1973–1978)**
  • Dave Finley (1978–1983; 1993–present)
  • Sidney Justin (1993–2005)
  • Tee Turner (2001–present)
  • Mark Scott (2005–present)
  • Alphonse Franklin (June - December,2008)***

(*) Claudette Robinson retired from performing on stage in 1964 to start a family. Although she does not appear in any official Miracles photographs, nor mentioned as ever being a group member, after this point, she continued to sing in the background with the group on their recordings for as long as her husband Smokey Robinson was a member. As most of the group's performances before the camera were without her, some fans were unaware the group had a female member, and some sources dispute it. Claudette, however, did appear on the cover of The Miracles' 1970 One Dozen Roses album, their aborted 1964 album, I Like It Like That, all pre-1964 albums that showed the group, and on the back covers of their albums Away We a Go-Go (1966) and What Love Has...Joined Together (1970), and the center insert of their album, Greatest Hits from the Beginning. Claudette also appears on the cover of the 2009 Motown CD release : "The Miracles: Depend On Me".

(**) Original Miracles member Marv Tarplin, although remaining with the Miracles until 1973, only appeared on the covers of three classic Miracles albums: Cookin' with The Miracles, I'll Try Something New (both 1962), and The Fabulous Miracles (1963). Although not pictured on the front, Tarplin was mentioned on the back of the group's debut album, Hi... We're The Miracles (1961), and listed as an original group member. Tarplin is also pictured on the cover of the 2009 Motown CD release, The Miracles: Depend On Me [17]. Despite this many sources do not recognize him, or his replacement Donald Griffin, as being an official group member as they played guitar for the group and did not sing with them. Some sources even call Tarplin a member of the Funk Brothers session band. However, in the 2006 Motown DVD release,"Smokey Robinson and The Miracles: The Definitive Performances", Smokey Robinson himself acknowledged Marv Tarplin as being a member of The Miracles with the words "And that is how Marv Tarplin got into our group". Tarplin joined The Miracles in 1958,before the formation of Motown Records or The Funk Brothers Band. Tarplin's replacement, Donald Griffin, appears with the group on the cover of The Miracles' 1977 Columbia album release,"The Miracles: "Love Crazy"[18].

(***) Alphonse Franklin, filled in for the group's current lead singer Mark Scott during the later part of 2008. Some sources dispute calling him a official member of the group.

[edit] Discography

For a detailed listing of albums and singles, see Miracles discography.

[edit] Top Twenty US and UK singles

[edit] Top Forty albums

[edit] DVD

  • Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: The Definitive Performances (1963-1987) Motown/Universal (2006)
  • The T.A.M.I. Show (1964)
  • Ed Sullivan's Rock & Roll Classics
  • Red, White, and Rock (PBS special-VHS & DVD)
  • Soul Spectacular: 40 Years Of R&B (PBS Special-VHS & DVD)
  • Music Scene - The Best of 1969-70 (DVD & VHS)
  • Motortown Gold on The Ed Sullivan Show - SOFA Entertainment - 2005
  • The Best of Music Scene - The Best of 1969-70 - 2005

[edit] VHS

  • Shindig- Motor City Magic Rhino/ABC-1991
  • Ready Steady Go- Special Edition: The Sounds Of Motown-1985
  • That Was Rock: The T.A.M.I/T.N.T Shows- Media Home Entertainment-1984
  • Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever
  • The Soul Experience- USA Home Video (VHS & DVD) - 1985
  • The History Of Rock and Roll: The Sounds of Soul-Time Life/Warner Bros/Quincy Jones Productions-(VHS & DVD) 1985

[edit] 100 Greatest Artists Of All Time

The Miracles are on 3 lists of The 100 Greatest Artists Of All Time :

[edit] Grammy Hall of Fame

The Miracles are 4-time inductees into the Grammy Hall of Fame*, which is a special Grammy award established in 1973 to honor recordings that are at least twenty-five years old, and that have "qualitative or historical significance."[8][9]

Grammy Hall of Fame Awards-The Miracles:
Year Recorded Title Genre Label Year Inducted
1962 You've Really Got a Hold on Me Traditional R&B (Single) Tamla 1998
1965 The Tracks Of My Tears Traditional R&B (Single) Tamla 2007
1970* The Tears of a Clown Pop (Single) Tamla 2002
1960 Shop Around Traditional R&B (Single) Tamla 2006
  • *"The Tears Of A Clown", although not released as a single until 1970, was first recorded in 1966 and released on The Miracles' 1967 album Make It Happen, later re-named The Tears Of A Clown.
  • * Awarded by The National Academy Of Recording Arts and Sciences.

[edit] Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time

The Miracles have 3 songs in Rolling Stone Magazine's 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time:

Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time-The Miracles:
Year Recorded Title Genre Label Song Position
1965 Ooo Baby Baby* R&B (Single) Tamla (Motown) #262
1965 The Tracks Of My Tears R&B (Single) Tamla (Motown) #50
1960 Shop Around R&B (Single) Tamla (Motown) #495

The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time was the cover story of a special issue of Rolling Stone magazine published in November 2004. It was chosen based on votes by 172 musicians, critics, and industry figures.

  • * Incorrectly credited solely to Smokey Robinson, "Ooo Baby Baby" was recorded by The Miracles as a group in 1965, while Robinson was still a member (Tamla 54113).

[edit] The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll

Although still not inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame as of 2010, The Miracles have 3 songs on their "500 best" list:

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll

-The Miracles:
Year Recorded Title Genre Label Album
1965 Going to a Go-Go* R&B (Single) Tamla (Motown) Going to a Go-Go
1965 The Tracks Of My Tears R&B (Single) Tamla (Motown) Going to a Go-Go
1960 Shop Around R&B (Single) Tamla (Motown) Hi... We're the Miracles

Selected by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum curatorial staff and a number of rock critics and historians, these 500 songs are some of rock and roll’s most popular and influential recordings. This list of 500 songs cover a variety of musicians and genres illustrating the evolution of rock and roll over the last century.[19]

[edit] The Miracles' "Hall Of Fame" Awards

  • Grammy Hall Of Fame
  • Vocal Group Hall Of Fame
  • Doo-Wop Hall Of Fame
  • Hollywood Walk Of Fame

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Smokey Robinson and The Miracles". Bob Seger. Rolling Stone Issue 946. Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5939231/32_smokey_robinson_and_the_miracles. 
  2. ^ "The Immortals: The First Fifty". Rolling Stone Issue 946. Rolling Stone. http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/5939214/the_immortals_the_first_fifty. 
  3. ^ The Book of Golden Discs - by Joseph Murrells, pgs 348 & 361
  4. ^ Ebony, Oct 1971, pg 169
  5. ^ http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=2232
  6. ^ New stars on Hollywood Walk of Fame - Cleveland.com
  7. ^ Rush, The Miracles Getting Walk Of Fame Stars
  8. ^ Grammy Hall of Fame Database
  9. ^ 2008 Grammy Hall of Fame List

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Miracles"