Smokey Robinson’s Net Worth, Height, Age, & Personal Info Wiki

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One of the finest songwriters and performers of all time is Smokey Robinson. He is a member of the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He has also been honored with the National Medal of Arts and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Smokey Robinson's Appearance (Height, Hair, Eyes & More)

Height 5 ft 10 in
1.82 m
Weight 180 pounds
82 kg
Hair Color Blonde
Eye Color Blue
Body Type Fit
Sexual Orientation Straight

Facts About Smokey Robinson

Nationality American
Estimate Net Worth $150 million
Religion Christianity
Zodiac Sign Pisces
Birthplace Detroit, Michigan, USA
Birthday February 19, 1940

Smokey Robinson's Net Worth

American R&B and pop singer-songwriter, producer, and former record executive Smokey Robinson have a $150 million net worth. Robinson is credited with creating the distinctive Motown sound, which rose to fame from the 1950s through the 1970s. “The Miracles,” a vocal group that enjoyed enormous popularity during the Motown era, included Smokey as a crucial member.

Robinson developed a prosperous solo career after leaving this trio. He served as Motown Records’ vice president in addition. Smokey Robinson received his Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in 1987.

See the net worth of other famous musicians here.

Smokey Robinson's Early Life

William “Smokey” Robinson Jr. was born in Detroit, Michigan, on February 19, 1940. William, raised in a low-income family in Detroit’s North End, acquired the moniker “Smokey” courtesy of his uncle Claude. William became known as Smokey Joe when Claude took him to cowboy movies and gave him his “cowboy name,” “Smokey Joe.” He eventually stopped using the name “Joe” and just used “Smokey.” (1)

While still in high school, Smokey founded the Five Chimes, a doo-wop group. As a youngster, Robinson was a huge music fan who tuned in to the radio to hear various musicians. They included several other groups, Nolan Strong & the Diablos, Billy Ward, and his Dominoes. The Matadors eventually took the name of his doo-wop group.

Smokey Robinson's Education

Robinson finished his early schooling at National High School. In high school, he started a doo-wop ensemble called Five Chimes to explore his passion for music. He enrolled at a college to study engineering but left to pursue a career in music. Howard University also conferred an honorary doctorate on Robinson. (2)

Smokey Robinson's Wife and Family Life

Robinson’s first marriage was with Claudette Rogers, a fellow Miracles member. After having two kids with Rogers, Robinson had a third child with a different lady. The couple divorced as a result of this in 1986. Smokey wed Frances Gladney in 2002.

Smokey Robinson's Career

The Matadors became the Miracles in the late 1950s after undertaking extensive traveling. The Miracles’ debut single, “Got a Job,” was released in 1957 because of Robinson’s connection with songwriter Berry Gordy. At the time, Robinson was attending college to study electrical engineering, but he dropped out after the success of their first track.

Then Gordy established Tamla Records, which later evolved into Motown Records. The Miracles signed a record deal with this business, and in 1960, they produced “Shop Around,” which went on to become a smash and sell over a million copies. Several hits followed within the following ten years. They included “You’ve Really Got a Grip on Me,” “Mickey’s Monkey,” “The Tears of a Clown,” “I Second That Feeling,” and “Baby Baby Don’t Cry.” Robinson was the group’s lead singer, songwriter, and producer during this period. The Miracles changed their group’s name to Smokey Robinson & the Miracles in 1965.

In addition to his work with the Miracles, Smokey has produced several songs for other Motown Records artists. He also worked as a track producer. Robinson collaborated with the Temptations, the Marvelettes, and Marvin Gaye, among other musicians. This ceased when a new group of songwriters joined Motown, which also happened when more musicians started penning their unique music.

Smokey declared his intention to retire in 1969. Robinson was exhausted from his continual touring and wanted to spend more time with his family. Robinson decided to stick with the Miracles for a few more years before parting company with them in 1972. Soon after, the group recorded “Tears of a Clown,” which would become one of their biggest singles.

Despite predictions that he would stop altogether, Robinson only took a brief vacation from music before beginning a solo career in 1973. He released his first solo album, “Smokey,” in that year, then “Pure Smokey” the following year. Despite the musical quality of these recordings, Robinson had little impact. He was up against famous solo musicians like Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder, which was primarily the cause of this.

Smokey returned in 1979 with the single “Cruisin,” which peaked at number ten on the charts. With the release of the number-one single “Being with You” in 1981 and the album “One Heartbeat” in 1987, which featured top-ten singles like “Just to See Her” and “One Heartbeat,” Smokey Robinson continued to enjoy success. However, after RCA acquired Motown in 1988, he resigned as vice president and began concentrating solely on his solo career. He continued working with several musicians over the following decades, releasing numerous songs and albums.

Smokey Robinson's Controversies

Smokey Robinson, a legendary musician and songwriter has drawn criticism—at least on social media—for declaring that “Black is a race” and that “I despise being labeled African American.”

The icon’s remarks were similar to those he made over two decades ago when he appeared on Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry and performed a poem that he believed would help others understand what it is like to be Black.

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Smokey Robinson's Humanitarian Works and Activism

To support the advancement of music education for kids, singer, and songwriter Smokey Robinson has made a substantial donation to one South LA primary school. The renowned musician gave a signed Gibson guitar to Miramonte, urged the children to succeed academically, and offered the band the highest praise. (3)

Robinson remarked that it was enjoyable to see the students sing his songs. “As a songwriter, that’s what I write them for. I want people to sing them forever and ever and ever,” Robinson said.

Smokey Robinson's Real Estate and Other Properties

Smokey Robinson's House

Robinson received $2.3 million for selling his Los Angeles property in Encino in 2002. This opulent mansion’s 10,600 square feet of living area, built-in 1912, includes an 800-square-foot private terrace. Over 1.5 acres of land, the house has abundant gardens designed in the English style. In 2017, the famous place changed hands again, selling for $8.3 million.

Smokey reportedly listed a second California property for $7.99 million in 2014. This second home is in the upscale Chatsworth district of Los Angeles, home to numerous famous people. A separate, 2,000-square-foot guest house is part of the 9,075-square-foot property. Smokey first put the house up for sale in 2005 for $10.5 million, but after having trouble finding a buyer, he put it back on the market in 2007 for $10 million. The $7.99 million figure in 2014 implies a much reduced ultimate price.

References

  1. Dheshni Rani K, Smokey Robinson Net Worth 2023, Age, Biography, Ethnicity, Nationality, Career, Achievement, retrieved from https://www.fresherslive.com/latest/articles/smokey-robinson-net-worth-10010971
  2. Scintillating Team, Smokey Robinson’s Net Worth 2-23: Age, Wife, Kids, Income, retrieved from https://www.scintillatingstars.com/smokey-robinson-net-worth-2021-age-wife-kids-income/
  3. Kim Baldonado, Music Legend Smokey Robinson Makes a Generous Donation to a South LA School, retrieved from https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/music-legend-smokey-robinson-makes-a-generous-donation-to-a-south-la-school/2984260/

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