An Evening With Smokey Robinson on WXXI-TV

Program host/interviewer Gwen Ifill and Smokey Robinson

Credit: Toya Werner Martin

Gwen Ifill talks with Smokey Robinson, giving viewers an insider’s look at the life and career of the Motown legend.

Smokey Robinson is a musical icon who transformed a generation of music with his smooth voice and creative songwriting. Robinson helped initiate the Motown dynasty with Berry Gordy, and he served as the lead singer for one of the label’s first and most successful groups, The Miracles. As a member of The Miracles and as a solo artist, Robinson gave Motown 37 Top 40 hits between 1967 and 1988 including “Shop Around,” “Ooo Baby Baby,” “I Second That Emotion” and “The Tears of a Clown.” Robinson also wrote hit songs for other Motown artists such as The Supremes, The Temptations, The Marvelletes, Mary Wells and Marvin Gaye. An Evening With Smokey Robinson airs Sunday, July 4 at 10:30 p.m. on WXXI-TV (DT21.1/cable 1011 and 11).

Robinson’s career spans more than 50 years. He enjoyed a very successful solo career, landing a Grammy Award for the hit song “Just to See Her” in 1987. That same year, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and 12 years later, he received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Robinson continues to perform and tour today.