There is hardly any doubt that one of the most influential and talented black artists is Smokey Robinson, whose tender voice belied the passion he could call forth and whose writing and production put many groups and singers on the map, both in pop and soul music. Born William Robinson in Detroit in 1940, Smokey Robinson was a founding member of the Miracles while still in high school. In 1957, he joined forces with Berry Gordy, who was later to forge Motown Records into the champion of soul and R&B that it became. Continued...