Few people in this world can claim what Smokey Robinson can…to have written hit songs for over five decades, and for dozens of artists, to sing with ease and enthusiasm, to command crowds around the world and to spark joy with the twinkle in his eye and the soulful sound of his voice.
While Mr. Robinson is often called Mr. Motown, and was a formidable force in Detroit’s Motown movement, he has claimed his favorite place to perform is the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. On August 2, he delighted fans on his favorite stage, nestled into the canyon, singing his greatest hits and some brand-new tunes in a show that had the audience singing and dancing for well over two hours. That is no small feat for any performer, but for a man who is 85 years young, it’s commendable. Robinson, who donned a glittering blue suit for the show, exudes joy in every song he sings and every story he tells. It’s as though he is performing for the first time, although it’s been thousands of times. He loves what he does, and it’s felt in his presence.
Robinson has been in the music industry for over 60 years. He was one of the first artists to sign with Motown Records, which was founded by Berry Gordy in 1959. Not only did he go on to have countless hits of his own, he wrote for other artists too, including The Temptations (My Girl), Mary Wells (My Guy), The Miracles (You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me), The Supremes and many more. Motown was not just a place in Detroit, it was, in Robinson’s words, “a great place to grow up. Especially being a song writer. There were so many great people to write for.” It’s also evident it was a family, as Robinson’s fellow Motown greats, including Berry Gordy, Mickey Stevenson and Eddie Holland were in the audience at the Greek Theatre to support him.
The evolution of song writing from the Motown days to now has been expansive, and Robinson has been able to easily adapt to the times. In the 1960’s Robinson’s lyrics like “I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day. When it’s cold outside I’ve got the month of May,” were what enticed audiences. And while they still warm the hearts of listeners today, songs have gotten racier, with Robinson’s lyrics following suit. A line from a new song makes your body warm in other ways – “When I hear your voice, my eardrums start to quiver. It’s a sexy sound, makes my love come down. And I know, you can deliver.” From My Girl (the former) to Gasms (the latter), it’s clear he has written about it all. His voice and his words have delighted audiences for years, and they have delighted him too. When asked what he does when he hears his music played on the radio, he says “turn it up!”
And turn it up he did at the Greek Theatre. The 5,900 seat theatre is tucked into the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles and has been a spot for music lovers to see their favorite performers since 1930, offering an intimate outdoor setting, where the acoustics are flawless and so are the views from every seat in the house. It’s no wonder Robinson loves performing here, where he can be close to his fans and feel their love. With multiple standing ovations during the show, Robinson at one point said he was speechless. For a songwriter, that’s a rarity. With a tear in his eye he told the audience, “I wrote songs that YOU made popular. Thank you. I love you for that.” The legend is just as warm as his smile, which coincidentally never seems to leave his face.
For more information about Smokey Robinson, including a history of his hit songs and upcoming tours, visit smokeyrobinson.com. For information about the Greek Theater and upcoming shows, visit lagreektheatre.com.
