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Motown pioneer, Smokey Robinson recently brought is sultry vocals to NPR's Tiny Desk Concert Series.The <a href="https://www.wbls.com/wbls-news/smokey-robinson-admits-to-having-an-affair-with-diana-ross">83 year-old</a> opened the tiny concert with 1981's "Being With You" accompanied by a full band. From there, he casually introduced one of his numerous hits with The Miracles, "The Tears Of A Clown," as "one I wrote with Stevie Wonder" to the audience's delight.The legend then segued into two songs off of <a href="https://www.wbls.com/wbls-news/smokey-robinson-talks-about-his-multi-decade-career-gasms-retirement">Gasms</a>, "If We Don't Have Each Other" and "Beside You."He closed his set with 1979's "Cruisin'," which the audience was more than happy to participate in "cruising together.""We've been looking forward to playing at Tiny Desk for a long time. We appreciate all the people who put this on. We love you. Thank you so much. Now we're going to Cruise on outta here."Cruisin'” reached No. 4 on the Hot 100 chart and earned a nod for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male at the <a href="https://www.grammy.com/artists/smokey-robinson/7944">22nd Grammy Awards in 1980</a>. <h4 id="h-watch-the-smokey-robinson-s-npr-tiny-desk-concert-performance-below">Watch the Smokey Robinson's NPR Tiny Desk Concert performance below:</h4>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WG_-0Qh3kc

Smokey Robinson Performs for NPR’s ‘Tiny Desk Concert’ Series

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The legendary Smokey Robinson sits with our very own Bugsy Buggs to discuss his legendary career. Smokey talks about his start as a songwriter and using his writing a gift from God, leaving his group The Miracles after their biggest hit "Tears of Clown" was released. He also spoke about being a part of the civil rights movement, and the things that he had to experience as a Black group during the 1960s. They briefly spoke on the legacy of Harry Belafonte, Robinson's job at Motown before making music again, the new album "GASMS" and much more.Smokey Robinson also reveals that he has no plans of retiring anytime soon. Make sure to stream "GASMS" which is out right now.

Smokey Robinson Talks About His Multi-Decade Career, GASMS, & Retirement

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Smokey Robinson has dropped some major news about a previous relationship he had with Diana Ross. During a recent interview, the Motown singer stated that his relationship with Ms. Ross went on longer than it was supposed to and that he was actually married to someone else during that time. “Well, it lasted, uh, probably longer than it should ‘cause I was married at the time,” he said. “Yeah, that happened later. After I got married. You know, after I got signed up at Motown, that’s when that started.” During the time of his extramarital affair with the “Upside Down” singer, Robinson was married to his first wife, Claudette Rogers Robinson, who was a part of his group, The Miracles. They tied the knot in 1959 and had two children together after calling it quits in 1986, due to the “Crusin’’ singer’s infidelities. Smokey Robinson is currently married to Frances Glandney and has been married since 2002. Diana Ross was married two times and has five children. Did you know about this relationship between Diana Ross and Smokey Robinson?

Smokey Robinson Admits To Having An Affair With Diana Ross

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The legendary Smokey Robinson talks with our very own Lenny Green and dishes about creating Father-Daughter Day, the late Michael Jackson recording “Who’s Loving You”, and his upcoming concert in NYC. Smokey Robinson revealed that he has never played a show in Manhattan and that he is excited to do so. They went on to speak about the energy the living legend gets every time he gets on the stage. Robinson explains that it is a feeling that he can’t describe. Check out the entire interview right now.

Smokey Robinson Talks Creating Father-Daughter + Recording 'Who's Loving You' With Michael Jackson

Ray Parker Jr., the legendary singer behind the hit song, “Ghostbusters,” is finally getting his own documentary. <a href="https://variety.com/2022/music/news/ghostbusters-ray-parker-jr-documentary-who-you-gonna-call-1235281171/amp/">Variety reports </a>that the film will be called, “Who You Gonna Call?”, and will be on all digital platforms on June 7th. This documentary will give viewers an inside look at who Parker Jr. really is, from his lengthy music career to working with other legends such as Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, and Herbie Hancock, and many more. Filmmaker Fran Strine was given access by Parker to go into his archives and stories as he talked about his childhood growing up in Detroit to accomplishing major goals like winning a Grammy and receiving his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “At a very young age, I knew I wanted to be a musician. It was my dream. My life. I did everything and anything I could to make that happen. I’d like to say that luck was very much on my side, but I think dedication and determination to make my dreams come true played a larger part,” Parker said. He continued, “I always tell young musicians that if you want something then work hard at it and go after it. When you find something you’re good at, the fun part just comes along for the ride! Also don’t think about Option 2. Make Option 1 a reality. You are the only one to make it happen. Know that creating music, is a collaborative process, so always deliver, have fun and enjoy the process. This usually guarantees callbacks.”Will you be watching the Ray Parker Jr. documentary?

Ray Parker Jr.'s New Documentary Set To Premiere This Month

Living legend Smokey Robinson breaks his silence about his battle with COVID-19. In a recent interview, Robinson, 81, shared his experience with the fatal virus that sent him to the hospital. The singer revealed that he contracted COVID in December and ended up staying 11-days in a hospital in Los Angeles. “I am a COVID survivor. I got it severely and I was hospitalized for 11 days, and four or five of those [days] I do not even remember. It was really touch and go, and a terribly debilitating ailment.” He also stated that he was unsure on he got the virus but remembers feeling “weird and funny” right before Christmas. Robinson was quarantined away from his wife into their guest house and within 48 hours he was rushed to the hospital. The singer would share how he was afraid of never being able to sing again. “I could barely even talk. Even when I got home, I was hoarse. I could not try to sing because I was afraid. It was one of the most frightening fights I have ever had.”Once he returned home, Robinson began to work on getting his strength back by doing daily workouts and by working on his vocal cords with the hopes of getting back on stage. “I had to work on my vocal cords and get myself back together. I knew this was what I wanted to do with my life, and it was possible, so I did it. I love my job, it’s what keeps me going.” We're glad that Smokey Robinson is doing well.

Smokey Robinson Opens Up About His Battle With COVID-19

Photo Credit: Donald Kravitz/Getty ImagesIn honor of <a href="http://bit.ly/WBLSBMM" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Black Music Month</a>, today we’re looking at the life of the King of Motown, Smokey Robinson. Born February 19, 1940, singer, songwriter, and Grammy Award-winning record producer Smokey Robinson was destined to become one of the greatest entertainers of all time – the world just didn’t know it yet. Smokey Joe, as his affectionately called him, fell in love with music when he explored his mother’s record collection that included artists like Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker. At the tender age of 10, the D-town youngin’ formed the legendary group The Miracles (first known as The Matadors). With a voice and stage presence like no other, famed record executive Berry Gordy took notice of Smokey and the group and helped them land a deal End Records. Fast-forward a few years, and The Miracles became the first act to launch Gordy’s Motown Records with “Shop Around.” <iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="440" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AdDnqSFYXFs" width="680"></iframe>Over the years, the co-ed singing group released an array of hits including “She’s Really Got a Hold on Me” and “Ooo Baby Baby.”Smokey became the Motown’s vice president and later tied the knot with group member Mary Wells, but after a while, he grew tired of juggling work, his family, and The Miracles. The quintet embarked on their farewell tour in 1970, and three years later, Smokey dropped his first self-titled solo album. The Detroit released hit after hit, and celebrated his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. Smokey stepped down as Motown’s vice president when the label was sold to MCA records in 1988, and released his last album with Motown, Love, Smokey, in 1990. He received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement that same year. Nearly 30 years later, the King of Motown is still cruisin’ to record and perform around the world! <iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="440" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Abum9IDymTE" width="680"></iframe><hr /><a href="http://bit.ly/WBLSBMM" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CLICK FOR MORE BLACK MUSIC MONTH!</a>

BMM Spotlight: One of Motown's Finest, Smokey Robinson

Photo Credit: Noam Galai/Getty ImagesFamily and friends are gathered in Detroit today to pay their final respects to Aretha Franklin.The Queen of Soul died Thursday, Aug. 16 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.Fans across the country have come together over the past week to honor and pay tribute to the woman affectionately known as ReRe, and it’s been hard to swallow. But today, many are gathered at Greater Grace Temple in Detroit for a private home going service.The service is said to last a minimum of six hours as several speakers are set to hit the mic in addition to the 19 performers scheduled to sing for the Queen. Today’s guest list includes Smokey Robinson, Ron Isley, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Tyler Perry, Rev. Al Sharpton, and so many more.Watch the live stream of Aretha Franklin’s final home going service below. <iframe allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="415" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https{dfd1613e7aef5025d4fe547837814c2458253439dec6fb15f3add57b5633a6bf}3A{dfd1613e7aef5025d4fe547837814c2458253439dec6fb15f3add57b5633a6bf}2F{dfd1613e7aef5025d4fe547837814c2458253439dec6fb15f3add57b5633a6bf}2Fwww.facebook.com{dfd1613e7aef5025d4fe547837814c2458253439dec6fb15f3add57b5633a6bf}2FLocal4{dfd1613e7aef5025d4fe547837814c2458253439dec6fb15f3add57b5633a6bf}2Fvideos{dfd1613e7aef5025d4fe547837814c2458253439dec6fb15f3add57b5633a6bf}2F266424243986035{dfd1613e7aef5025d4fe547837814c2458253439dec6fb15f3add57b5633a6bf}2F&show_text=0&width=680" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" width="680"></iframe>

Watch Aretha Franklin’s Final Home Going Service in Detroit LIVE [VIDEO]

Photo Credit: Scott Olson/GettyIt’s only right we celebrate the Queen of Soul with a four-day home-going.The first day of public viewing was taken place at the Charles H. Wright Museum in Detroit where Aretha Franklin was resting in a solid bronze Promethean casket plated in 24-karat gold. She was presented in a red dress with lace altered by Swanson along with Christian Louboutin 5-inch patent leather pumps.“She is presented in a way that reflects her life and legacy,” Swanson says. “She is indeed, resplendent in repose, as a queen should be.” (Photo Credit: PAUL SANCYA/Getty)On the second day, the late singer wore a powder blue sparkly dress with open-toed silver sparkling shoes. And according to sources, Franklin is expected to have more outfit changes leading up to her funeral on Friday.In more news, the official program for the funeral has been released and it will be a six-hour event filled with performances. The funeral will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Friday at Greater Grace Temple in Detroit which is open to only family and friends. The details include bible readings, prayers and personal remarks. There will also be an all-star lineup of performers including Stevie Wonder, Fantasia, Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson and more! (Photo Credit: Bettmann/Getty)So far speakers confirmed include Smokey Robinson, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Clive Davis and President Bill Clinton. Rev. Jasper Williams Jr. of Atlanta’s Salem Baptist Church will deliver the eulogy.Although the funeral is scheduled to end at 3 p.m. it may run longer.The Friday service will air on television. Viewers can also view online on <a href="http://www.wbls.com">WBLS.com</a>. WATCH LIVE COVERAGE DAY 3: <iframe allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="315" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https{dfd1613e7aef5025d4fe547837814c2458253439dec6fb15f3add57b5633a6bf}3A{dfd1613e7aef5025d4fe547837814c2458253439dec6fb15f3add57b5633a6bf}2F{dfd1613e7aef5025d4fe547837814c2458253439dec6fb15f3add57b5633a6bf}2Fwww.facebook.com{dfd1613e7aef5025d4fe547837814c2458253439dec6fb15f3add57b5633a6bf}2FLocal4{dfd1613e7aef5025d4fe547837814c2458253439dec6fb15f3add57b5633a6bf}2Fvideos{dfd1613e7aef5025d4fe547837814c2458253439dec6fb15f3add57b5633a6bf}2F233438270679172{dfd1613e7aef5025d4fe547837814c2458253439dec6fb15f3add57b5633a6bf}2F&show_text=0&width=560" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" width="560"></iframe>