Smokey Robinson

Smokey Robinson is one of the most beloved and influential figures in the history of popular music. On November 1st, 2010, Robinson released his highly anticipated new album entitled Now and Then. The 12-song CD features six live versions of his well-known classics, including "Going to a Go-Go," "I Second That Emotion," and "The Tracks of My Tears." The other six songs are from his 2009 release Time Flies When You're Having Fun. On his 2009 CD, Carlos Santana, Joss Stone, and India Arie make special guest appearances while famed artist Shepard Fairey designed the cover art.

After more than 50 years in the music business, Robinson has logged 37 Top 40 hits during his career and has received numerous awards including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a Grammy Award for "Best R&B Performance, Male" and the Soul Train Music Award for Career Achievement. He has been inducted to the Songwriter Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and has also received the prestigious Rhythm & Soul Heritage Award from ASCAP (the American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers) during the 22nd Annual Rhythm & Soul Music Awards. Boston's Berklee College of Music bestowed an honorary degree on Robinson in May 2009 and in the same month the Ivor Novello Awards presented him with the UK International Special Achievement Award. He is also a recipient of a doctorate of music degree from Howard University.

Robinson has been inducted to the Hollywood Walk of Fame both as a solo artist and with his group, The Miracles. He received a Kennedy Center honor in 2006 and is the sterling pen and satin voice behind such mega hits as "Shop Around," "You've Really Got a Hold on Me," "Tears of a Clown," and "Cruisin'," among many others.

And those are just some of the hits that Smokey himself sang; Marvin Gaye ("Ain't That Peculiar," "I'll Be Doggone"), The Temptations ("My Girl," "The Way You Do the Things You Do"), The Four Tops ("Still Water (Love)"), Mary Wells ("You Beat Me to the Punch," "My Guy"), The Marvelettes ("Don't Mess With Bill," "The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game"), Brenda Holloway ("When I'm Gone"), and other Motown greats propelled an abundance of sparkling Robinson compositions up the charts. To this day, radio stations, jukeboxes, iPods, movie soundtracks, and the absentminded humming of myriad music fans are alight with Smokey Robinson's melodies.