The Miracles | |
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The Miracles in the early 1960s. From left to right: Smokey Robinson, Claudette Robinson, Ronald White, Pete Moore, and Bobby Rogers. Not pictured: Marv Tarplin
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Background information | |
Also known as | The Five Chimes, The Matadors, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles |
Origin | Detroit, Michigan, United States |
Genres | R&B, doo-wop, rock 'n' roll, soul, funk, disco |
Years active | 1955–1978; 1980–1983; 1993–2011 |
Labels |
End Chess Motown Tamla Columbia |
Past members |
Ronald "Ronnie" White Warren "Pete" Moore William "Smokey" Robinson Clarence Dawson James Grice Emerson "Sonny" Rogers Robert "Bobby" Rogers Claudette Rogers Robinson Marvin "Marv" Tarplin William "Billy" Griffin Donald "Don" Griffin Carl Cotton David "Dave" Finley Sydney Justin Tee Turner Mark Scott |
The Miracles (also known as Smokey Robinson and the Miracles from 1965 to 1972) were an American rhythm and blues vocal group that was the first successful recording act for Berry Gordy's Motown Records, and one of the most important and influential groups in pop, rock and roll, and R&B music history. Formed in 1955 by Smokey Robinson, Warren "Pete" Moore, and Ronnie White, the group started off as the Five Chimes, changing their name to the Matadors two years later. The group then settled on the Miracles after the inclusion of Claudette Robinson in 1958. The most notable Miracles line-up included the Robinsons, Moore, White, Bobby Rogers and Marv Tarplin. After a failed audition with Brunswick Records, the group began working with songwriter Berry Gordy, who helped to produce their first records for the End and Chess labels before establishing Tamla Records in 1959 and signing the Miracles as its first act. The group eventually scored the label's first million-selling hit record with the 1960 Grammy Hall of Fame smash, "Shop Around", and further established themselves as one of Motown's top acts with the hit singles "You've Really Got a Hold on Me", "What's So Good About Goodbye", "Way Over There", "I'll Try Something New", "Mickey's Monkey", "Going to a Go-Go", "(Come 'Round Here) I'm the One You Need", "Just A Mirage", "If You Can Want", "More Love", "I Don't Blame You at All", "Ooo Baby Baby", "The Tracks of My Tears", "Special Occasion", "I Second That Emotion", "Baby Baby Don't Cry", the number-one Pop smashes "The Tears of a Clown" and "Love Machine", "Do It Baby", and "My Girl Has Gone",among numerous other hits.