Claudette Rogers Robinson

Claudette Rogers Robinson

Claudette pictured with members of The Earth Angels doo wop band
Background information
Birth name Claudette Marie Rogers
Born (1942-09-01) September 1, 1942
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Origin Detroit, Michigan, United States
Genres R&B, doo wop, soul, pop soul, smooth soul
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter
Instruments Vocals, piano
Years active 1956–2010
Labels Motown, Tamla
Associated acts The Miracles, Smokey Robinson

Claudette Rogers Robinson (born September 1, 1942) is an American singer-songwriter, 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.

In 2012, after years of being ignored, Claudette was finally inducted with the rest of the original Miracles, her cousin Bobby Rogers, Pete Moore, Ronald White, and Marv Tarplin, into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, alongside her former husband, Miracles lead singer Smokey Robinson.

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 toured with the last incarnation of the Miracles throughout the United States, Canada and Europe, until his death in 2013. 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

Robinson next to the Hollywood Walk of Fame star for the Miracles in March 2013

The Rock Hall of Fame controversy and 2012 Miracles Induction

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, Marv Tarplin, and Claudette Robinson—were not.

In 2012, it was finally announced that, after a 26-year wait, Claudette Robinson would be automatically and retroactively inducted with the rest of the Miracles into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside Miracles lead singer Smokey Robinson.

References

  1. 1 2 Price, Simon (November 5, 2006), "Here's to you Mr Robinson", Independent on Sunday, The
  2. ↑ Video on YouTube
  3. ↑ http://www.starpulse.com/Music/Miracles,_The/Biography/
  4. ↑ http://www.vocalhalloffame.com/inductees/smokey_miracles.html
  5. ↑ http://www.claudetterobinson.com/about-claudette-robinson/
  6. ↑ "The Miracles". Los Angeles Times.
  7. ↑ http://www.goldminemag.com/article/goldmines-20-greatest-doo-wop-groups
  8. ↑ http://rockhall.com/inductees/the-miracles/

External links


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