It often pays to be the first to do just about anything; the benefit is called the Pioneer's Advantage. The reputation of Smokey Robinson, however, is due to more than just being one of the first names on the Motown scene. His talent at both the microphone and the business table has earned him his place as an institution in the music industry.

Smokey Robinson: King Of Motown

"I never do a concert for people; I do a concert with people."

It often pays to be the first to do just about anything; the benefit is called the Pioneer's Advantage. The reputation of Smokey Robinson, however, is due to more than just being one of the first names on the Motown scene. His talent at both the microphone and the business table has earned him his place as an institution in the music industry.

Smokey Robinson: Birth of a Legend

Born William Robinson Jr. in Detroit, Michigan in 1940, his first attempt at music - like many other budding artists even today - was in a high school act. He formed The Five Chimes, a vocal group that included Ronald White (who was Robinson's best friend), Pete Moore, James Grice and Clarence Dawson, all three of whom he met in high school. The group later became The Matadors as they began doing gigs around the Detroit area.

Although Robinson had every intention of going on to higher education, fate had bigger plans. The summer before he was due to start studying for his engineering degree, he met songwriter and producer Berry Gordy, who put his career back on the musical track. The group changed its name to The Miracles and started out with Gordy's Got a Job, which was a modest hit in 1958. They ended that year recording for Gordy with End Records.

Smokey Robinson: Lyrics of Love

The Miracles released a couple of singles before Gordy was persuaded by Robinson to start his own label. In 1959, Gordy incorporated Tamla Records, which would go on to become the world famous Motown Records. Robinson himself became vice-president two years later, stepping down only with the departure of Gordy from the company.

Much of Motown's early success could be credited to the Miracles. The single Shop Around from 1960 was the first hit of many for both the label and the group; it quickly sold a million copies. Robinson's work with other Motown talents, however, was what really put him on the map. Thanks to songwriting credits with numerous Motown artists, he was widely known as Smokey Robinson, "the poet laureate of love".

The 1960's was a prosperous decade for Robinson. Aside from The Miracles' success, he became a married dad with two kids during that time. When The Miracles' star began to fade late in that decade, though, Robinson aired plans of leaving. He delayed his leaving when the 1969 single Tears of a Clown became a massive hit, but he still gave his last performance in Washington in 1972.

Smokey Robinson, Solo

Despite his initial low artist profile while working as a VP at Motown, Robinson couldn't keep his solo star hidden for very long. 1975's Baby That's Backatcha was the first in a string of hits that included 1979's Cruisin' and 1981's Being with You. Despite a brush with cocaine addiction in the 1980's, Robinson came back with a vengeance, scoring hits like the Grammy-winning 1987 single Just to See Her.

Motown was sold to MCA in 1988, prompting Robinson to vacate his vice-presidential chair. Although he meant to leave the label with a final record - 1990's Love, Smokey - he returned to Motown for 1999's Intimate. He won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award that same year. Although he has had few album releases between then and now, he collaborates with other artists and is a frequently seen face on American Idol.

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