Claudette Rogers Robinson
Encyclopedia
Claudette Rogers Robinson (born 1942) is an African-American soul
singer, a member of The Miracles
from 1957 to 1972. Her brother Emerson "Sonny" Rogers was an original member of the group, which was originally called "The Matadors" before 1957; Claudette Rogers took her brother's place after he was drafted into the U.S. Army.
Miracles lead singer Smokey Robinson
, who became one of the major figures in Detroit
's Motown record label
. Smokey and Claudette Robinson made plans to begin a family, but the rough life of touring caused Claudette to have seven miscarriages.
Smokey Robinson
originally co-wrote the number-one Motown single "My Girl" with Miracles member Ronald White
in dedication to Claudette, a song performed most notably by The Temptations
. The song was originally intended to be recorded by The Miracles
.
The Robinsons have two children, both named in honor of Motown: Berry William Borope Robinson was named after Motown chief Berry Gordy
with his middle name in honor of fellow Miracles group mates Bobby (Rogers), Ronnie (White)and Pete (Moore), and Tamla Claudette Robinson was named after Motown's original record label, Tamla Records.
Smokey Robinson and Claudette Robinson were divorced in 1986, after 27 years of marriage. Motown founder Berry Gordy
gave Claudette Robinson the official title of the "First Lady of Motown", as noted in his autobiography, because, as a member of the Miracles, (Motown's first group and first recording act), she was the first female artist ever signed to a Motown-affiliated record label (Tamla). Several years ago, Claudette began writing her autobiography, A Miraculous Life, a book of her memoirs, and of her life with the Miracles. Robinson is a board member of the national Rhythm & Blues Foundation and the HAL Awards. Her cousin, original Miracles member Bobby Rogers tours with the current incarnation of the Miracles throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Claudette Robinson still performs and makes selected appearances with the Miracles. Claudette can be seen on stage with the Miracles live at the Apollo Theatre in a rare 1962 film clip on the 2006 Motown/Universal DVD release, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles: The Definitive Performances.
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
singer, a member of The Miracles
The Miracles
The Miracles are an American rhythm and blues group from Detroit, Michigan, notable as the first successful group act for Berry Gordy's Motown Record Corporation . Their single "Shop Around" was Motown's first million-selling hit record, and the group went on to become one of Motown's signature...
from 1957 to 1972. Her brother Emerson "Sonny" Rogers was an original member of the group, which was originally called "The Matadors" before 1957; Claudette Rogers took her brother's place after he was drafted into the U.S. Army.
Biography
On November 7, 1959, Rogers marriedMarriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
Miracles lead singer Smokey Robinson
Smokey Robinson
William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
, who became one of the major figures in Detroit
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
's Motown record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
. Smokey and Claudette Robinson made plans to begin a family, but the rough life of touring caused Claudette to have seven miscarriages.
Smokey Robinson
Smokey Robinson
William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
originally co-wrote the number-one Motown single "My Girl" with Miracles member Ronald White
Ronald White
Ronald "Ronnie" White was an African American soul singer and songwriter, notable as a founding member of The Miracles, and the only member to survive all of that group's line-up changes...
in dedication to Claudette, a song performed most notably by The Temptations
The Temptations
The Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,...
. The song was originally intended to be recorded by The Miracles
The Miracles
The Miracles are an American rhythm and blues group from Detroit, Michigan, notable as the first successful group act for Berry Gordy's Motown Record Corporation . Their single "Shop Around" was Motown's first million-selling hit record, and the group went on to become one of Motown's signature...
.
The Robinsons have two children, both named in honor of Motown: Berry William Borope Robinson was named after Motown chief Berry Gordy
Berry Gordy
Berry Gordy, Jr. is an American record producer, and the founder of the Motown record label, as well as its many subsidiaries.-Early years:...
with his middle name in honor of fellow Miracles group mates Bobby (Rogers), Ronnie (White)and Pete (Moore), and Tamla Claudette Robinson was named after Motown's original record label, Tamla Records.
Smokey Robinson and Claudette Robinson were divorced in 1986, after 27 years of marriage. Motown founder Berry Gordy
Berry Gordy
Berry Gordy, Jr. is an American record producer, and the founder of the Motown record label, as well as its many subsidiaries.-Early years:...
gave Claudette Robinson the official title of the "First Lady of Motown", as noted in his autobiography, because, as a member of the Miracles, (Motown's first group and first recording act), she was the first female artist ever signed to a Motown-affiliated record label (Tamla). Several years ago, Claudette began writing her autobiography, A Miraculous Life, a book of her memoirs, and of her life with the Miracles. Robinson is a board member of the national Rhythm & Blues Foundation and the HAL Awards. Her cousin, original Miracles member Bobby Rogers tours with the current incarnation of the Miracles throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Claudette Robinson still performs and makes selected appearances with the Miracles. Claudette can be seen on stage with the Miracles live at the Apollo Theatre in a rare 1962 film clip on the 2006 Motown/Universal DVD release, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles: The Definitive Performances.
Awards
- Claudette and the original members of Miracles were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of FameHollywood Walk of FameThe Hollywood Walk of Fame consists of more than 2,400 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along fifteen blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, California...
on March 20, 2009. - 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
- Without The Miracles there would be no Stevie Wonder, quoted Stevie Wonder, 3/20/2009
- Gold & Platinum Record (Single & Album) Awards (Sales of more than 500,000 or 1,000,000 units)
- Worldwide over 40 Million records sold.
- 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 Billboard's Hot 100 List with 7 Top Tens.
- 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.
- Rhythm & Blues Pioneer Award
- Vocal Group Hall of Fame Induction & Award
- Spirit of Detroit Award
- Rolling Stone Magazine named the Miracles the "32nd Greatest Rock n' Roll Artists" of all time.
- Billboard Magazine & VH1 list the Miracles among The 100 Greatest Artists of all Time.
- 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, Detroit, Michigan (Woodbridge Estates)
- 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.
- The Miracles received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on March 20, 2009.
- The Miracles Day in Hollywood, March 20, 2009.