NASHVILLE |DATE: APRIL 16, 1999
FROM: TODD BRODGINSKI/MITCH SCHNEIDER @ MSO
SERENA GALLAGHER @ MOTOWN RECORDS (212-841-8201)
SMOKEY ROBINSON
RE-SIGNS WITH MOTOWN RECORDS FOR
NEW CD DUE OUT JULY 27;
PARTY IN NEW YORK CITY AND NATIONAL ANTHEM PERFORMANCE
AT YANKEE STADIUM HELD THIS PAST WEEKEND
SMOKEY ROBINSON, one of the first artists signed to Motown Records, has returned to the company after an eight-year absence. The legendary singer/songwriter–currently putting the finishing touches on a new CD set for release July 27–was officially welcomed back at a party thrown by Motown Records President and CEO Kedar Massenburg Friday, April 9 at the Spy Bar in New York City. "It has always been a dream of mine to work with Smokey. His legendary contributions to music as a singer, songwriter and producer created the soul sound," states Massenburg. "It is a pleasure to welcome home the prodigal son." On Saturday, April 10 SMOKEY sang the national anthem at the New York Yankees' game.
SMOKEY ROBINSON & THE MIRACLES had the first million-selling single for Motown, the SMOKEY-penned "Shop Around," in December 1960. The group hit number one with "The Tears Of A Clown" while other major hits include "You've Really Got A Hold On Me," "Mickey's Monkey," "Going To A Go-Go," "I Second That Emotion" and "Baby, Baby Don't Cry." SMOKEY also served as a Vice President at Motown Records where he wrote songs, produced records, signed artists and worked closely with founder Berry Gordy. SMOKEY's solo hits (he left THE MIRACLES in `72) include "Cruisin'," "Being With You," "Just To See Her" and "Quiet Storm," the song and album which spawned its own radio format. SMOKEY was honored with the Grammy Living Legend Award in 1988; was inducted into the Songwriters' Hall of Fame in 1990 and into the Rock `n Roll Hall of Fame in 1987; and was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 1999 Grammys. He also scored the music and wrote two songs–"Be Careful What You Wish For" and "Really Gonna Miss You"–for the recent critically-acclaimed Temptations' two-part movie on NBC.
SMOKEY is working on the new CD with Michael Stokes, Michael Lovesmith, Brian McKnight and executive producer Berry Gordy.
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