February 19

The Mayor of Motown, SMOKEY ROBINSON was born February 19, 1940 in Detroit. 

Sure, BERRY GORDY had the dream and took the risk in starting Motown Records, but Smokey made it Hitsville U.S.A.





Not only did he chart more than 25 Top 40 hits with The MIRACLES, William Robinson Jr. also wrote "My Guy" for MARY WELLS, the answer song "My Girl", "The Way You Do the Things You Do" and many of The TEMPTATIONS early hits plus "I'll Be Doggone" and "Ain't That Peculiar" for MARVIN GAYE and The MARVELETTES "Don't Mess with Bill".


When writer/producers like Holland-Dozier-Holland and Norman Whitfield came along and artists like Marvin Gaye and STEVIE WONDER began writing more of their own material, Smokeys workload decreased.  If you doubt he could still write a hit, listen to "Cruisin'" or "Being with You."

A member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and a National Treasure, Smokey Robinson is 73 today.

Luigi Alfredo Giovanni Sacco was also born February 19; 1943.  Better known as LOU CHRISTIE, he charted 5 Top 40 hits from "The Gypsy Cried" in 1961 to 1969's "I'm Gonna Make You Mine".  Most impressive was "Lightnin' Strikes", showing off his 3 octave vocal range.