Claudette Rogers Robinson

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.

Biography

On November 7, 1959, Rogers married Miracles lead singer Smokey Robinson, who became one of the major figures in Detroit's Motown record label. Smokey and Claudette made plans to begin a family, but the rough life of touring caused Claudette to have seven miscarriages.^[1]

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.^[1]

Smokey Robinson and Claudette were divorced in 1986, after 27 years of marriage. Motown founder Berry Gordy gave Claudette 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 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 Fame 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.

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 controversial decision, the other original members of the Miracles—Bobby Rogers, 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. [1]

References

• SOUL PATROL Audio interview: Claudette Robinson of THE MIRACLES (board member of THE RHYTHM & BLUES FOUNDATION)
• Audio interview #2 with Claudette Robinson,discussing the history of THE MIRACLES, hosted by Raven Blair-Davis.

• Claudette Robinson at The Miracles' Hollywood Walk Of Fame Ceremony
• http://www.arangemnts.com/Home_Page.php?aa=0&si0=9
• Smokey, Pete, Claudette, Bobby. (Berry Gordy behind Smokey).

External links

• Facebook Page: The Miracles by Claudette Robinson
• Claudette Robinson Makeover (with Tre Major)

• YouTube video: Claudette Robinson speaks at The Miracles' Hollywood Walk Of Fame Ceremony- March 20, 2009