The Smokey Robinson Show

The Smokey Robinson Show was a 1970 musical variety special starring Smokey Robinson & The Miracles. It aired on ABC on December 18, 1970, and featured guest stars The Supremes, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, and Las Vegas singer/performer and actress Fran Jeffries. The program was sponsored by Faberge and was produced by Screen Gems. The director was Kip Walton.[1]

The Miracles performing on The Smokey Robinson Show, a 1970 ABC Television special. (L-to-R) Bobby Rogers, Smokey Robinson, Ronnie White.

Originally intended to be Smokey's sendoff into a solo career, the massive success of The Miracles' 1970 # 1 smash hit, "The Tears of a Clown" delayed his departure for another 2 years (strangely, that song was not sung on the special). Filmed at the height of success of Motown Records, this special was essentially a launching pad for Smokey's solo career and to prepare the public for his upcoming departure from the legendary Miracles - the very first of the Motown groups. The Miracles, however, were not at full strength, at the time of taping: Miracle Pete Moore was absent from the special, having been sidelined by a leg injury shortly before filming, and Claudette (Mrs. Smokey) Robinson, another original Miracle, did not appear on the special. Miracle Marv Tarplin was present, but did not appear on camera. Thus, the only Miracles present were Smokey, Ronnie White, and Bobby Rogers, who began the show with their 1963 Top 10 smash hit "Mickey's Monkey" at the show's intro, and followed up with a medley of 3 of their greatest hits, "More Love", "If You Can Want", and "I Second That Emotion".

Other performances

This hit-filled special featured the following performances:

Though it was not known or considered by many in the general public at the time, this special actually marked the end of Motown's first Golden Era... with several members of their most successful groups having either left those units, or were about to leave:

Complete list of performances

  1. . Intro 2:21-The Miracles-Mickey's Monkey
  2. . Smokey & The Miracles - Hits Medley: 4:27
  3. · If You Can Want
  4. · More Love
  5. · I Second That Emotion
  1. . The Supremes - Up the Ladder to the Roof 3:35
  2. . The Supremes & Smokey Robinson - Someday We'll Be Together 4:05
  1. . Stevie Wonder - Medley: 5:48
  2. · My Cherie Amour
  3. · Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours
  1. . Fran Jeffries - Something's Coming On 3:15
  2. . Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson & Fran Jeffries - For Once in My Life 2:36
  1. . The Temptations - Ball Of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today) 4:13
  2. . The Temptations & Smokey Robinson - Get Ready 4:07
  1. . Smokey Robinson Tribute song Medley: 6:35[2]
  2. · The Miracles & The Temptations - Special Occasion
  3. · Stevie Wonder - My Girl
  4. · The Supremes - My Guy
  5. · Dennis Edwards - It's Growing
  6. · Fran Jeffries & Eddie Kendricks - Shop Around
  7. · The Miracles - Ain't That Peculiar
  8. · Stevie Wonder - I'll Be Doggone
  9. · The Supremes - Don't Mess With Bill
  10. · The Temptations - The Way You Do The Things You Do
  11. · Fran Jeffries - Ooo Baby Baby
  12. The Miracles - Since I Lost My Baby
  13. · Fran Jeffries - You've Really Got A Hold On Me
  14. · Entire cast - What Love Has Joined Together
  1. . Smokey Robinson - Something 4:45
  1. . Closing Medley: 7:38
  2. · The Temptations - What The World Needs Now Is Love
  3. · Fran Jeffries - People Got To Be Free
  4. · Stevie Wonder - Walk A Mile In My Shoes
  5. · The Supremes - Save the Country
  6. · Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - People Get Ready
  7. · Entire Cast - Friendship Train

Cast

The Miracles:

The Supremes:

Stevie Wonder

The Temptations:

Fran Jeffries

Note: There has never been an official Motown DVD release of this special, but copies of it have been circulating in the "collectors market" for years, and are available on the internet.[3][4]

Motown Records never released a soundtrack album of this special.

As of May 1, 2017, this special is being broadcast on Get TV.

References

  1. "The Smokey Robinson Show (Full Program)". YouTube. 2015-01-02. Retrieved 2016-07-26.
  2. "Motown Memories with Smokey Robinson". YouTube. 2012-01-13. Retrieved 2016-07-26.
  3. "The Smokey Robinson Show Dvd Very Rare For Sale". Ioffer.com. Retrieved 2016-07-26.
  4. "Smokey Robinson Show 1970 DVD". Soulcollectors.comuv.com. 1970-12-18. Retrieved 2016-07-26.
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