Marv Tarplin
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Marvin "Marv" Tarplin (born 13 June 1941, Atlanta, Georgia[1]) is an American guitarist and songwriter, best known as the guitarist for The Miracles during the 1960s, and is one of the group's original members.
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[edit] Career
Tarplin began his career accompanying a teenage 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 Motown vice president and 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 group in 1958.
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 albums: 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). As a songwriter, Tarplin helped co-compose many of the Miracles' hit singles, amongst them "The Tracks of My Tears" (1965), "My Girl Has Gone" (1965), "Going to a Go-Go" (1965) and "The Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage" (1967). 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 is featured prominently on Gaye's Top 40 hit, " One More Heartache", which he also co-wrote.
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's replacement in the group.
Robinson and Tarplin continued to collaborate as writers on Robinson's solo recordings, including the Top 10 hits "Cruisin'" (1978) and "Being with You" (1981). Tarplin also continued to play guitar on record and in concert for Robinson, and presently continues 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.
