Marv Tarplin
Encyclopedia
Marvin "Marv" Tarplin was an American
guitarist
and songwriter
, best known as the guitarist for The Miracles
from the 1950s through the early 1970s. He was one of the group's original members and co-wrote several of their biggest hits, including the 2007 Grammy Hall Of Fame inducted "The Tracks of My Tears
". He is also a winner of the BMI Songwriter's Award, and the ASCAP Award Of Merit.
Detroit
, Michigan
girl group
known as The Primettes (later The Supremes
). The Primettes sought an audition with Motown Records
, and Tarplin played guitar as they performed for Miracles lead singer Smokey Robinson
. Robinson was impressed by Tarplin's guitar playing, and lured him away from the Primettes to join The Miracles. Tarplin joined The Miracles in 1958. In the 2006 Motown DVD release, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles: The Definitive Performances 1963-1987, Robinson and fellow Miracles Pete Moore
and Bobby Rogers
commented that Tarplin's unique guitar playing style was reminiscent of the late Curtis Mayfield
, and was the inspiration behind many of their greatest hits.His guitar riffs at the beginning of The Miracles' 1965 million-seller, The Tracks Of My Tears
, are among the most famous in Pop music history.http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/oct/03/marv-tarplin
Whilst Tarplin remained with the Miracles for as long as Robinson was their lead singer, he is only present on the cover of three Miracles album
s: Cookin' with The Miracles
(1962), I'll Try Something New
(1962), and The Fabulous Miracles
(1963). He is mentioned, though not pictured, on the back cover of the group's first album, Hi... We're The Miracles
(1961), and listed as an original group member. As a songwriter, Tarplin helped co-compose many of the Miracles' hit
singles
, amongst them the million-selling Grammy Hall of Fame winner "The Tracks of My Tears
" for which he received the ASCAP Award Of Merit (1965), "My Girl Has Gone
" (1965), "I Like It Like That
", (1964), "Going to a Go-Go
" (1965), "The Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage
" (1967), and Point It Out
(1968).
In addition, Tarplin co-wrote several Robinson produced
hits by Marvin Gaye
, including the Top 10 million selling hits, "Ain't That Peculiar
" and "I'll Be Doggone
". His guitar work was featured on Gaye's Top 40 hit
, "One More Heartache
", which he also co-wrote, and another of Gaye's chart hits, 1965's "Take This Heart of Mine
". He also played on The Four Tops 1970 Top 20 hit, "Still Water (Love)
", co-written by Robinson. Tarplin also appeared with the group on The Ed Sullivan Show
, the 1964 film
, The T.A.M.I. Show
, the 1965 CBS
television special, Murray The K - It's What's Happening, Baby
, and virtually all of the group's personal appearance concerts worldwide, including the Motortown Revue
shows in the early 1960s.
Tarplin left the Miracles in 1973, shortly after Smokey Robinson and his wife Claudette
left the group. His replacement in The Miracles was Donald Griffin, brother of Billy Griffin
.
Robinson and Tarplin continued to collaborate as writers on Robinson's solo
recordings
, including Top 10 hits such as "Cruisin'
" (1979-1980) and the Gold-certified chart-topper "Being with You" (1981). Tarplin also continued to play guitar
on record
and in concert
for Robinson, and, until 2008, continued to tour with Robinson. In 2007, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
musician
, Paul Cebar
, paid homage to Tarplin with his song "Marv's Fluttering Guitar (For Marv Tarplin)" from the album Tomorrow Sound Now For Yes Music People.
Three years after leaving Robinson, he died in his Las Vegas home of undetermined causes on September 30. He was 70.
, Ronnie White, Pete Moore
and Claudette Robinson, were not. The Miracles met the qualifications, as did Robinson, but they have not, to date, been inducted. Tarplin retired from touring in 2008. Tarplin is also pictured on the cover of the 2009 Motown CD release, The Miracles-Depend On Me:The Early Albums (2009).
Tarplin and his former wife Sylvia (who died in 2004), had a daughter named Talese. He also had two other daughters, Lisa and Eboney, from another relationship. Tarplin died in Las Vegas, on September 30, 2011.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, best known as the guitarist for 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 the 1950s through the early 1970s. He was one of the group's original members and co-wrote several of their biggest hits, including the 2007 Grammy Hall Of Fame inducted "The Tracks of My Tears
The Tracks of My Tears
"The Tracks of My Tears" is a much recorded love ballad introduced in 1965 by The Miracles on Motown's' Tamla label. This song is considered to be among the finest recordings of The Miracles, and it sold over one million records within two years, making it The Miracles' fourth million-selling...
". He is also a winner of the BMI Songwriter's Award, and the ASCAP Award Of Merit.
Biography
Referred to as the Miracles' "secret weapon", Tarplin began his career accompanying a teenageAdolescence
Adolescence is a transitional stage of physical and mental human development generally occurring between puberty and legal adulthood , but largely characterized as beginning and ending with the teenage stage...
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...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
girl group
Girl group
A girl group is a popular music act featuring several young female singers who generally harmonise together.Girl groups emerged in the late 1950s as groups of young singers teamed up with behind-the-scenes songwriters and music producers to create hit singles, often featuring glossy production...
known as The Primettes (later The Supremes
The Supremes
The Supremes, an American female singing group, were the premier act of Motown Records during the 1960s.Originally founded as The Primettes in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959, The Supremes' repertoire included doo-wop, pop, soul, Broadway show tunes, psychedelic soul, and disco...
). The Primettes sought an audition with Motown Records
Motown Records
Motown is a record label originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit...
, and Tarplin played guitar as they performed for 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...
. Robinson was impressed by Tarplin's guitar playing, and lured him away from the Primettes to join The Miracles. Tarplin joined The Miracles in 1958. In the 2006 Motown DVD release, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles: The Definitive Performances 1963-1987, Robinson and fellow Miracles Pete Moore
Pete Moore
Pete Moore is an African American soul singer, record producer, and songwriter, notable as the bass singer for Motown group The Miracles from 1955 onwards, and is one of the group's original members...
and Bobby Rogers
Bobby Rogers
Bobby Rogers is an American soul singer and songwriter, notable as a member of Motown Records' first signed act and first million selling group The Miracles from 1956 to present. He is also the grandfather of R&B singer Brandi Williams from R&B girl group Blaque-Life:Rogers is the son of the late...
commented that Tarplin's unique guitar playing style was reminiscent of the late Curtis Mayfield
Curtis Mayfield
Curtis Lee Mayfield was an American soul, R&B, and funk singer, songwriter, and record producer.He is best known for his anthemic music with The Impressions during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's and for composing the soundtrack to the blaxploitation film Super Fly, Mayfield is highly...
, and was the inspiration behind many of their greatest hits.His guitar riffs at the beginning of The Miracles' 1965 million-seller, The Tracks Of My Tears
The Tracks of My Tears
"The Tracks of My Tears" is a much recorded love ballad introduced in 1965 by The Miracles on Motown's' Tamla label. This song is considered to be among the finest recordings of The Miracles, and it sold over one million records within two years, making it The Miracles' fourth million-selling...
, are among the most famous in Pop music history.http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/oct/03/marv-tarplin
Whilst Tarplin remained with the Miracles for as long as Robinson was their lead singer, he is only present on the cover of three Miracles album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
s: Cookin' with The Miracles
Cookin' with The Miracles
Cookin' with The Miracles is the second Tamla album by The Miracles and their second for the year 1961. Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson co-wrote most of the songs here, including the two charting singles "Ain't It Baby" and "Everybody's Gotta Pay Some Dues". The album is composed mostly of upbeat...
(1962), I'll Try Something New
I'll Try Something New
I'll Try Something New is the third Tamla album by The Miracles. The title track was an important early single for the group, featuring Smokey Robinson's lead voice, a chorus led by his wife Claudette and an orchestra of strings...
(1962), and The Fabulous Miracles
The Fabulous Miracles
The Fabulous Miracles is a 1963 album by The Miracles featuring the million-selling hit, "You've Really Got a Hold on Me", one of the group's most popular singles...
(1963). He is mentioned, though not pictured, on the back cover of the group's first album, Hi... We're The Miracles
Hi... We're the Miracles
Hi... We're The Miracles is the first album by Motown's first group, The Miracles, released on Motown's Tamla subsidiary label in the summer of 1961.It also has the distinction of being the first album ever released by the Motown Record Corporation The album features several songs which played an...
(1961), and listed as an original group member. As a songwriter, Tarplin helped co-compose many of the Miracles' hit
Hit record
A hit record is a sound recording, usually in the form of a single or album, that sells a large number of copies or otherwise becomes broadly popular or well-known, through airplay, club play, inclusion in a film or stage play soundtrack, causing it to have "hit" one of the popular chart listings...
singles
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, amongst them the million-selling Grammy Hall of Fame winner "The Tracks of My Tears
The Tracks of My Tears
"The Tracks of My Tears" is a much recorded love ballad introduced in 1965 by The Miracles on Motown's' Tamla label. This song is considered to be among the finest recordings of The Miracles, and it sold over one million records within two years, making it The Miracles' fourth million-selling...
" for which he received the ASCAP Award Of Merit (1965), "My Girl Has Gone
My Girl Has Gone
"My Girl Has Gone" is a 1965 R&B single recorded by The Miracles for Motown's Tamla label. Included on their 1965 album Going to a Go-Go, "My Girl Has Gone" was the follow-up to the group's number 16 Billboard Hot 100 million-selling hit "The Tracks Of My Tears".Written by Miracles members Smokey...
" (1965), "I Like It Like That
I Like It Like That (Miracles song)
Note: This article is about the song. For The Miracles' deleted 1964 album of the same name, see "I Like It Like That ". For other uses, see I Like It Like That I Like It Like That was a 1964 hit song by Motown...
", (1964), "Going to a Go-Go
Going to a Go-Go (song)
"Going to a Go-Go" is a 1965 single recorded by The Miracles for Motown's Tamla label. Issued in December 1965, "Going to a Go-Go" peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States the following spring...
" (1965), "The Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage
The Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage
"The Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage" is a 1967 song recorded by American R&B group The Miracles on Motown Records' Tamla label. Written by Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Marv Tarplin and produced by Robinson, it is noted for being the first single to bill the group as Smokey Robinson &...
" (1967), and Point It Out
Point It Out
"Point It Out" was a 1969 recording by Motown Records R&B group The Miracles on that label's Tamla subsidiary . This mid-tempo song was a national Billboard Top 40 Pop hit,reaching #37 on that chart, and a Top 10 R&B hit was well, reaching #4...
(1968).
In addition, Tarplin co-wrote several Robinson produced
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
hits by Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
, including the Top 10 million selling hits, "Ain't That Peculiar
Ain't That Peculiar
"Ain't That Peculiar" is a 1965 song recorded by American soul musician Marvin Gaye for the Tamla label. The single was produced by Smokey Robinson, and written by Robinson, and fellow Miracles members Ronald White, Pete Moore, and Marv Tarplin...
" and "I'll Be Doggone
I'll Be Doggone
"I'll Be Doggone" is a 1965 song recorded by American soul singer Marvin Gaye and released on the Tamla label. The song talks about how a man tells his woman that he'll be "doggone" about simple things but if she did him wrong that he'd be "long gone"....
". His guitar work was featured on Gaye's Top 40 hit
Hit record
A hit record is a sound recording, usually in the form of a single or album, that sells a large number of copies or otherwise becomes broadly popular or well-known, through airplay, club play, inclusion in a film or stage play soundtrack, causing it to have "hit" one of the popular chart listings...
, "One More Heartache
One More Heartache
"One More Heartache" is a 1966 single recorded by Marvin Gaye for Motown Records' Tamla label. The single was written by the team of The Miracles members Bobby Rogers, Marv Tarplin, Pete Moore and Smokey Robinson and produced by Robinson....
", which he also co-wrote, and another of Gaye's chart hits, 1965's "Take This Heart of Mine
Take This Heart of Mine
"Take This Heart of Mine" is a song written by The Miracles members Warren "Pete" Moore, William "Smokey" Robinson and Marv Tarplin, produced by Robinson and released as a single by American soul singer Marvin Gaye, on Motown Records 'Tamla label in 1966....
". He also played on The Four Tops 1970 Top 20 hit, "Still Water (Love)
Still Water (Love)
"Still Water " is a 1970 hit single written by Smokey Robinson and Frank Wilson, who also produced the track for Motown singing group The Four Tops, who took the song to the top ten of the UK pop charts and the top twenty of the US pop chart...
", co-written by Robinson. Tarplin also appeared with the group on The Ed Sullivan Show
The Ed Sullivan Show
The Ed Sullivan Show is an American TV variety show that originally ran on CBS from Sunday June 20, 1948 to Sunday June 6, 1971, and was hosted by New York entertainment columnist Ed Sullivan....
, the 1964 film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
, The T.A.M.I. Show
The T.A.M.I. Show
T.A.M.I. Show is a 1964 concert film, released by American International Pictures. It includes performances by numerous popular rock and roll and R&B musicians from the United States and England...
, the 1965 CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
television special, Murray The K - It's What's Happening, Baby
Murray The K - It's What's Happening, Baby
Murray The K – It's What's Happening, Baby was a television special on CBS-TV hosted by Murray the K. The show aired on June 28, 1965. The special featured performances by many of the popular artists of the day like Jan & Dean, Mary Wells, the Dave Clark Five, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, The...
, and virtually all of the group's personal appearance concerts worldwide, including the Motortown Revue
Motortown Revue
The Motortown Revue was the name given to the package concert tours of Motown artists in the 1960s. Early tours featured Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, Mary Wells, The Marvelettes, Barrett Strong, and The Contours as headlining acts, and gave then-second-tier acts such as Marvin Gaye, Martha & The...
shows in the early 1960s.
Tarplin left the Miracles in 1973, shortly after Smokey Robinson and his wife Claudette
Claudette Rogers Robinson
Claudette Rogers Robinson 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...
left the group. His replacement in The Miracles was Donald Griffin, brother of Billy Griffin
Billy Griffin
Billy Griffin is an American singer and songwriter. He is best known for replacing Smokey Robinson as lead singer of The Miracles in 1972.-Biography:...
.
Robinson and Tarplin continued to collaborate as writers on Robinson's solo
Solo (music)
In music, a solo is a piece or a section of a piece played or sung by a single performer...
recordings
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
, including Top 10 hits such as "Cruisin'
Cruisin' (song)
"Cruisin" is a 1979 single written, produced, and recorded by Smokey Robinson for Motown Records' Tamla label. One of Robinson's most successful singles outside of his work with The Miracles, "Cruisin'" was a Top 10 Billboard Pop hit, peaking at number four not only on the Billboard Hot 100 but on...
" (1979-1980) and the Gold-certified chart-topper "Being with You" (1981). Tarplin also continued to play guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
on record
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
and in concert
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
for Robinson, and, until 2008, continued to tour with Robinson. In 2007, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, Paul Cebar
Paul Cebar
Paul Cebar is a songwriter, singer, guitarist, and bandleader from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who has a penchant for African, Latin American and Caribbean music...
, paid homage to Tarplin with his song "Marv's Fluttering Guitar (For Marv Tarplin)" from the album Tomorrow Sound Now For Yes Music People.
Three years after leaving Robinson, he died in his Las Vegas home of undetermined causes on September 30. He was 70.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame controversy
In 1987, Smokey Robinson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist. However, in a decision that has since sparked much scrutiny, debate, and controversy, Tarplin, and the other original members of the Miracles, Bobby RogersBobby Rogers
Bobby Rogers is an American soul singer and songwriter, notable as a member of Motown Records' first signed act and first million selling group The Miracles from 1956 to present. He is also the grandfather of R&B singer Brandi Williams from R&B girl group Blaque-Life:Rogers is the son of the late...
, Ronnie White, Pete Moore
Pete Moore
Pete Moore is an African American soul singer, record producer, and songwriter, notable as the bass singer for Motown group The Miracles from 1955 onwards, and is one of the group's original members...
and Claudette Robinson, were not. The Miracles met the qualifications, as did Robinson, but they have not, to date, been inducted. Tarplin retired from touring in 2008. Tarplin is also pictured on the cover of the 2009 Motown CD release, The Miracles-Depend On Me:The Early Albums (2009).
Tarplin and his former wife Sylvia (who died in 2004), had a daughter named Talese. He also had two other daughters, Lisa and Eboney, from another relationship. Tarplin died in Las Vegas, on September 30, 2011.
Compositions
Tarplin wrote the music for numerous songs, including several of Motown's biggest hits. Here is a partial list:- "I Can't Believe", The Miracles (1962)
- "I Like It Like ThatI Like It Like ThatI Like It Like That is a 1994 comedy-drama film about the trials and tribulations of a young Puerto Rican couple living in the poverty-stricken New York City neighborhood of the South Bronx...
", The Miracles (1964, #27 Pop) - "You're So Fine And Sweet", The Miracles
- "Come On Do The JerkCome On Do The JerkCome On Do the Jerk , was a 1964 song recorded by R&B group The Miracles on Motown Records' Tamla label subsidiary. A single-only release, it did not appear on any original Miracles studio album....
"' The Miracles (1964, # 50 Pop, #22 R&B) - "Ain't That PeculiarAin't That Peculiar"Ain't That Peculiar" is a 1965 song recorded by American soul musician Marvin Gaye for the Tamla label. The single was produced by Smokey Robinson, and written by Robinson, and fellow Miracles members Ronald White, Pete Moore, and Marv Tarplin...
", Marvin Gaye (1965, #8 Pop, #1 R&B) - "The Tracks Of My TearsThe Tracks of My Tears"The Tracks of My Tears" is a much recorded love ballad introduced in 1965 by The Miracles on Motown's' Tamla label. This song is considered to be among the finest recordings of The Miracles, and it sold over one million records within two years, making it The Miracles' fourth million-selling...
", The Miracles (1965, #16 Pop, #2 R&B) - "My Girl Has GoneMy Girl Has Gone"My Girl Has Gone" is a 1965 R&B single recorded by The Miracles for Motown's Tamla label. Included on their 1965 album Going to a Go-Go, "My Girl Has Gone" was the follow-up to the group's number 16 Billboard Hot 100 million-selling hit "The Tracks Of My Tears".Written by Miracles members Smokey...
", The Miracles (1965, #14 Pop, #3 R&B) - "Going To A Go-GoGoing to a Go-GoGoing to a Go-Go is a 1965 album by The Miracles', the first to bill the group as Smokey Robinson & the Miracles. It includes four of the Miracles' Top 20 hits: "Ooo Baby Baby", "The Tracks of My Tears", "Going to a Go-Go", and "My Girl Has Gone"...
", The Miracles (1965, #11 Pop, #2 R&B) - "My Business, Your Pleasure", The Miracles
- "One More HeartacheOne More Heartache"One More Heartache" is a 1966 single recorded by Marvin Gaye for Motown Records' Tamla label. The single was written by the team of The Miracles members Bobby Rogers, Marv Tarplin, Pete Moore and Smokey Robinson and produced by Robinson....
", Marvin Gaye (1966, #29 Pop, #4 R&B) - "Take This Heart of MineTake This Heart of Mine"Take This Heart of Mine" is a song written by The Miracles members Warren "Pete" Moore, William "Smokey" Robinson and Marv Tarplin, produced by Robinson and released as a single by American soul singer Marvin Gaye, on Motown Records 'Tamla label in 1966....
", Marvin Gaye (1966, #44 Pop) - "I'll Be DoggoneI'll Be Doggone"I'll Be Doggone" is a 1965 song recorded by American soul singer Marvin Gaye and released on the Tamla label. The song talks about how a man tells his woman that he'll be "doggone" about simple things but if she did him wrong that he'd be "long gone"....
" , Marvin Gaye (1966 # 1 R&B, # 8 Pop) - "You're Not An Ordinary Girl", The Temptations (1966)
- "The Love I Saw In You Was Just A MirageThe Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage"The Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage" is a 1967 song recorded by American R&B group The Miracles on Motown Records' Tamla label. Written by Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Marv Tarplin and produced by Robinson, it is noted for being the first single to bill the group as Smokey Robinson &...
", Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (1967, #20 Pop, #10 R&B) - Dancing's Alright", Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (1967)
- "Doggone RightDoggone Right"Doggone Right" is a 1969 single recorded by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles for the Tamla label. Written by Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Marv Tarplin along with Motown staff songwriter Al Cleveland and produced by Robinson, the single peaked at number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the...
", Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (1969, #32 Pop) - "Point It OutPoint It Out"Point It Out" was a 1969 recording by Motown Records R&B group The Miracles on that label's Tamla subsidiary . This mid-tempo song was a national Billboard Top 40 Pop hit,reaching #37 on that chart, and a Top 10 R&B hit was well, reaching #4...
", Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (1969, #37 Pop) - "Promise Me", Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (1969)
- "So Far", The Four Tops (1969)
- "The Hurt Is Over", Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (1969)
- "You Neglect Me"", Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (1969)
- "Flower Girl", Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (1970)
- "Precious Little Things", The Supremes (1972)
- "Baby Come Close", Smokey Robinson (1973, #27 Pop)
- "Just My Soul Responding", Smokey Robinson (1973)
- "Asleep On My Love", Smokey Robinson (1974)
- "Fulfill Your Need", Smokey Robinson (1974)
- "Just Passing Through", Smokey Robinson (1974)
- "Open", Smokey Robinson (1976, #81 Pop)
- "Madam X", Smokey Robinson (1978)
- "CruisinCruisin' (song)"Cruisin" is a 1979 single written, produced, and recorded by Smokey Robinson for Motown Records' Tamla label. One of Robinson's most successful singles outside of his work with The Miracles, "Cruisin'" was a Top 10 Billboard Pop hit, peaking at number four not only on the Billboard Hot 100 but on...
'", Smokey Robinson (1979, #4 Pop) - "I've Made Love To You A Thousand Times" (1983, #68 R&B)
- "Why Do Memories Hurt So Bad", Smokey Robinson (1987)
- "The Philly Dog", Earl Van Dyke
- "Baby I'm Glad Things Worked Out So Well", Marvin Gaye
- "Lost For Words", The Four Tops
Awards
- Tarplin, and the other Miracles (except Claudette), has been a multiple winner of The BMIBroadcast Music IncorporatedBroadcast Music, Inc. is one of three United States performing rights organizations, along with ASCAP and SESAC. It collects license fees on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed...
award for Songwriting. (Reference: Ebony, October 1971, pg 169) - Tarplin, along with fellow Miracles Pete MoorePete MoorePete Moore is an African American soul singer, record producer, and songwriter, notable as the bass singer for Motown group The Miracles from 1955 onwards, and is one of the group's original members...
and Smokey RobinsonSmokey RobinsonWilliam "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...
, was the winner of "The Award Of Merit" from The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) for co- composing "The Tracks Of My Tears". - British music magazine MojoMojo (magazine)MOJO is a popular music magazine published initially by Emap, and since January 2008 by Bauer, monthly in the United Kingdom. Following the success of the magazine Q, publishers Emap were looking for a title which would cater for the burgeoning interest in classic rock music...
chose Tarplin as one of the '100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time'. - The 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.
External links
- Printed interview with Marv Tarplin of The Miracles- from the Soul Patrol website
- Marvelous Marv Tarplin (of The Miracles) on the Soulful Detroit Website
- [ Allmusic biography]
- Mojo Magazine's 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time
- Corbis.com Marv Tarplin photographs (with The Miracles)
- Marv Tarplin eulogy
- We remember Marv Tarplin- from eurweb
- Rolling Stone Magazine report: The Death of Miracles member Marv Tarplin