The Miracles
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The Miracles were the very first of the popular Motown R&B Vocal Groups, who rose to fame via their million-selling hit single, "Shop Around." They have had over 50 Billboard chart hits, and are ranked by Rolling Stone Magazine as # 32 in their list of "The Immortals - The 50 Greatest Artists Of All Time." They are also ranked on Billboard Magazine and VH-1's lists of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time".
The Miracles are also multiple "Grammy Hall Of Fame" inductees. They were also inducted into "The Vocal Group Hall Of Fame", and the "Doo-Wop Hall Of Fame", and in 2009 were awarded a star on the "Hollywood Walk Of Fame." They were the first successful act for Berry Gordy's famous Motown Records label , and were that label's first million-selling recording artists.
On February 9th 2012, It was announced that The Miracles, Motown's first group, were finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame after a 26 year wait.
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[edit] History
"Smokey Robinson" and "Ronald White" were friends since they were in elementary. They started singing together since they were in grade five. In 1955, the two formed a group called "The Five Chimes" at Northern High School, with them are "Pete Moore", "Clarence Dawson", and "James Grice". After a year, Clarence and James were replaced by "Bobby Rogers" and "Emerson Rogers". They changed their name to "The Matadors" in 1956. "Claudette Rogers" joined the band after her brother Emerson was drafted. They added another member,guitarist Marv Tarplin, in 1958.
The group signed a contract under Berry Gordy of Motown Records.They were the first group signed by the new label, having actually been with Gordy since before Motown Records was formed. The group changed their name to The Miracles. They released their first national chart hit single, "Bad Girl" which charted at #93 on the US Billboard Chart. In 1959, Berry founded a new label Tamla Records (a division of Motown Records). He signed the group to a recording contract. Their other single, "Shop Around" which charted at #1 on the National R&B Charts and sold over a million copies,making it the Motown Record label's first-ever million-selling hit record.Other early hit singles included "Got A Job" (1958),"Way Over There" (1960),the much-copied "Who's Lovin' You",(1960) "Everybody's Gotta Pay Some Dues" (1961), "I'll Try Something New" (1962), "What's So Good About Good Bye" (1962), "I've Gotta Dance To Keep From Crying" (1963), and "I Like It Like That" (1964).
The Miracles' success paved the way for all future Motown stars. They were, as a result, the headline act of the famous Motor Town Revue touring shows of the early sixties, which showcased Motown artists.They became known as "The Showstoppers" due to their exciting live performances in venues across the United States and abroad. They also appeared on numerous TV shows of the time, including "The Ed Sullivan Show", "American Bandstand", "The Andy Williams Show" ," Upbeat", and Britain's "Ready, Steady, Go". Also, in 1968, The Miracles gave a Royal Command Performance for Queen Elizabeth. Their song, "Baby Baby Don't Cry" earned them a Gold Record and hit the Billboard Top 10 in Spring, 1969. As songwriters, The Miracles also composed numerous hits not just for themselves, but also for their Motown labelmates , including The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Marvelettes, Mary Wells,Brenda Holloway,Marvin Gaye, Kim Weston,and The Contours.
Other Miracles' hit singles included, "You've Really Got A Hold On Me" in 1962, (million- seller). "Mickey's Monkey" in 1963 (million-seller), "Going To A Go-Go" in 1965 (million- seller), and The million-selling Grammy Hall Of Fame- inducted "The Tracks Of My Tears" in 1965, "My Girl Has Gone" (1965) and "Ooo Baby Baby" (1965).
Lead singer Smokey Robinson became a popular teen idol. The group became popular worldwide. Claudette left the group in 1964,for health reasons, but continued to record with them in the studio. In 1965, the group was called "Smokey Robinson and The Miracles". In 1967, another hit single, "The Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage" was released.
After releasing their hit singles, "(Come Round Here) I'm The One You Need" in 1966, "I Second That Emotion"(million-seller) in 1967 and "More Love" in 1967, their career began to calm down, But they did continue to have hit records such as hit chart singles like "More Love" in 1967, "If You Can Want" and "Special Occasion" in 1968, and the multi-million-selling smash hit, "The Tears of a Clown",which reached #1 in the United States and England. In 1971, After the release of another hit single, "I Don't Blame You At All", Smokey announced in one of their concerts that he would leave the group to retire and concentrate on his position as Vice President of Motown Record Corporation. After leaving, Claudette rejoined the band.
A new lead singer, "Billy Griffin" joined the group. He replaced Smokey. After that, Claudette and Marv left the group. A new guitarist, "Donald Griffin" was also added in the group to replace original member Marv Tarplin, who left to tour and work with Smokey. In 1973, they released their first album without Smokey Robinson, Renaissance. In 1974, they released another hit single, "Do It Baby" and another #1 smash hit,"Love Machine" in 1976. Both of these songs were million-sellers. They also recorded the million-selling Platinum Album, "City Of Angels". Billy and Pete left the group in 1978 to go solo and focus on songwriting for other artists. Original remaining members Ronnie and Bobby recruited "Dave Finley". The group decided to disband in 1983. The current lineup consists of original member Bobby Rogers, Dave Finley, Tee Turner and Mark Scott.
For unknown reasons, The Miracles had been excluded from induction into The Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame since it's inception. Only lead singer Smokey Robinson had been inducted. This had angered Motown and Miracles fans the world over, and, as of 2011, The Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Committee had given no explanation as to why The Miracles as a group have been excluded.In view of the group's over 50 chart hits,historical importance as Motown's first recording artists, towering influence in the music industry, Gold Records, and numerous awards, including Rolling Stone Magazine's own selection of The Miracles as one of the Immortals - The 50 Greatest Artists Of All Time,not to mention the inductions of many of the group's Motown label mates,the exclusion of Miracles members Bobby Rogers, Claudette Rogers Robinson, Pete Moore, the late Ronnie White, Marv Tarplin, and Billy Griffin remained an unanswered question to numerous music industry insiders ,who feel that The Miracles should have been inducted many years ago.
[edit] Rock Hall of Fame Induction in 2012 and Other Awards
In 2012, after much speculation, and numerous protests, The Miracles were finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 14, 2012. This induction was automatic and retroactive,meaning that The Miracles were being inducted straight into the Hall without the Rock Hall's usual nominating and voting process, under the premise that they should have been inducted alongside group lead singer Smokey Robinson back in 1987. The inducted members were the original Miracles lineup: Bobby Rogers, Claudette Rogers Robinson, Pete Moore, the late Ronnie White,and Marv Tarplin. Billy Griffin, who replaced Smokey Robinson as lead singer in 1972, was not included in the induction.
The Miracles have won numerous awards in their long and illustrious career, including 4 songs inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame (the most of any Motown group), 3 songs inducted into Rolling Stone Magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, The national Rhythm & Blues Foundation's Pioneer Award, and numerous BMI Songwriters' awards for all of the group's members (except Claudette).They have also had 3 of their songs inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame's list of the 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll, and their million-selling hit single The Tracks of My Tears has been inducted by The United States Library Of Congress into The National Recording Registry,and has has earned it's writers , Miracles members Marv Tarplin, Smokey Robinson, and Pete Moore The ASCAP Award Of Merit. It has also been selected as #5 in the list of The Top 10 Greatest Songs of All Time by a panel of 20 top music industry songwriters and producers, including Paul McCartney, Hal David,Brian Wilson,Jerry Lieber, and others , as reported to Britain's Mojo music magazine. The Miracles were awarded a star on The Hollywood Walk Of Fame on March 29th,2009.
[edit] Current Members
- Bobby Rogers
- Claudette Rogers (Robinson)
- Dave Finley
- Tee Turner
- Mark Scott
[edit] Former Members
- Smokey Robinson
- Ronnie White
- Pete Moore
- Marv Tarplin
- Clarence Dawson
- James Grice
- Emerson Rogers
- Billy Griffin
- Sidney Justin
- Donald Griffin
[edit] Chart Toppers
| Year | Black Album Chart | Pop Album Chart | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | 33 | - | Renaissance |
| 1974 | 4 | 11 | Do It Baby |
| 1975 | 7 | 96 | Don't Cha Love It |
[edit] News
[edit] Tours & Concerts
2008 & 2009 Tours and Conserts
- Georgian Downs Casino - Innisfil, Ontario
- Estrel Festival Centre - Berlin, Germany
- Detroit, Michigan
- CIAA Tournament - Charlotte, North Carolina
[edit] Announcements
The Miracles received their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in March, 2009
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
 1973 Motown |
 1976 Motown |
 1977 CBS |
[edit] Singles
| Date | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Love Machine | Motown |
[edit] Compilations & Live Releases
 2000 Mastersong |
 2000 Intercontinental |
 2001 St.Clair |
 2001 Goldenlane |
 2001 Big Eye |
 2001 BCI |
 2002 Spectrum |
 2003 Motown |
 2006 Madacy |
[edit] Other artists
[edit] Similar artists
[edit] Contemporaries
[edit] Trivia
- In 1987, Smokey Robinson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist. In a note of controversy, The other original Miracles, Bobby Rogers,Claudette Robinson, Marv Tarplin, Pete Moore , and the late Ronnie White were not inducted, and as 2011, still have yet to be.
- In 1997, The Miracles were honored with the national Rhythm And Blues Foundation's prestigous Pioneer Award.
- The Miracles are also 4 time Grammy Hall Of Fame Inductees- The most of any Motown group.
- The Miracles were the headline act of the famed "Motortown Revue" touring shows of the early sixties, which showcased Motown Records artists. Their exciting live performances earned them the nickname "The Showstoppers".
- Three of their songs, "Ooo Baby Baby, "The Tracks Of My Tears", and "Shop Around" are listed in Rolling Stone Magazine's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time" .
- Over 50 of their songs have been covered by literally scores of other artists...in every major music genre...including Pop, Country & Western, Jazz,MOR/Easy Listening, Reggae,Acapella, and Rap/Hip-Hop ...as well as Soul/R&B., making The Miracles the most-covered Motown act of all time.
- The Miracles recieved a star on The Hollywood Walk Of Fame on March 20th,2009.
[edit] Reviews
[edit] External Links
- The Miracles Official Myspace
- The Miracles Billboard Profile
- The Miracles Official Website
- The Miracles' Page # 1 on Facebook
- The Miracles' Page # 2 on Facebook]
- The Miracles' official website
- The Miracles - A history in pictures-from the "Soulwalking U.K." website
- The Hollywood Walk Of Fame welcomes Motown's First Group- The Miracles-YouTube video
- The Miracles' Hollywood Walk Of Fame page
- The Miracles -Future Rock Legends
- The Miracles' Vocal Group Hall Of Fame Induction site
- The Miracles on the Soul Patrol Website
- Gonna Take Some Miracles- The story of The Miracles- from the Blurt Online website- by Rick Allen
- SOUL PATROL Audio interview: Claudette Robinson of THE MIRACLES (board member of THE RHYTHM & BLUES FOUNDATION)
- Audio interview #2 with Claudette Robinson,discussing the history of THE MIRACLES, hosted by Raven Blair-Davis.
- Miracles relationship map
- NOT IN THE ROCK HALL OF FAME:The Miracles
