When Did Smokey Robinson Pass Away? The Truth Behind the Rumors

 Smokey Robinson is one of the most legendary singers, songwriters, and producers in the history of music. He is the founder and frontman of the Motown vocal group the Miracles, and the creator of countless hits for himself and other artists. He is also a recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize. But is he still alive? ## The Death Hoax of Smokey Robinson In recent years, there have been several reports and rumors circulating on the internet that Smokey Robinson has passed away. Some of these claims have been based on fake news websites, such as Mediamass[^1^][3], which posted an article in 2024 stating that Robinson had died at the age of 84. Other sources have been YouTube videos, such as the one uploaded by The End of Them 1970s[^2^][2], which claimed that Robinson had died in a hospital in Los Angeles in 2022. These reports have caused confusion and distress among Robinson's fans and admirers, who have expressed their condolences and tributes on social media. However, these reports are **not true**. Smokey Robinson is **still alive** and well, as of February 2024. He has not confirmed or commented on any of the death rumors, but he has been active and visible in the public eye. He has performed at various events and concerts, such as the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame induction ceremony in 2022, where he was honored as one of the inaugural inductees. He has also released new music, such as his album Now and Then in 2023, which featured some of his classic songs and new collaborations. He has also appeared on television shows and podcasts, such as The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Questlove Supreme, where he has shared stories and insights from his illustrious career. ## The Life and Legacy of Smokey Robinson Smokey Robinson was born on February 19, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan, to a poor family of African-American and French descent. He grew up in a rough neighborhood, where he developed a love for music and singing. He formed his first group, the Five Chimes, with his school friends in the mid-1950s, and later changed their name to the Matadors. He met Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records, who became his mentor and producer. He also changed the group's name to the Miracles, and added his childhood sweetheart and future wife, Claudette Rogers, to the lineup. The Miracles became one of the first and most successful acts of Motown, scoring dozens of hits, such as "Shop Around", "You've Really Got a Hold on Me", "The Tracks of My Tears", "I Second That Emotion", and "The Tears of a Clown". Robinson was not only the lead singer, but also the chief songwriter and producer for the group, as well as for other Motown artists, such as Mary Wells, the Temptations, Marvin Gaye, and the Supremes. He wrote some of the most iconic and influential songs of the 1960s and 1970s, such as "My Girl", "My Guy", "Ain't That Peculiar", "The Way You Do the Things You Do", and "I Want You Back". He was praised for his smooth and soulful voice, his poetic and graceful lyrics, and his innovative and versatile musical style. Robinson left the Miracles in 1972, to pursue a solo career and to focus on his role as Motown's vice president. He continued to produce hits, such as "Cruisin'", "Being with You", "Just to See Her", and "One Heartbeat". He also collaborated with other artists, such as Rick James, Elton John, Linda Ronstadt, and John Legend. He overcame a drug addiction in the 1980s, and became a born-again Christian. He divorced his first wife, Claudette, in 1986, and married his second wife, Frances, in 2002. He has four children and several grandchildren. Robinson is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential musicians of all time. He has been called "America's greatest living poet" by Bob Dylan, and "the King of Motown" by Stevie Wonder. He has influenced generations of artists, such as Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart, George Michael, Bruno Mars, and Alicia Keys. He has received countless accolades and recognition, such as the Kennedy Center Honors, the National Medal of Arts, the BET Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He has also been a vocal advocate for the rights and recognition of songwriters, and a supporter of various charitable causes, such as the American Diabetes Association, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. Smokey Robinson is a living legend, who has enriched the world with his music and his spirit. He is not dead, but alive and well, and still making his mark on the industry and the culture. He is a true icon, who deserves respect and admiration, not rumors and hoaxes. 

ncG1vNJzZmikmZh6rrHRnJ%2BapqRjsLC5jpuss7JfrLWmuoydoJ1lo6K8rLHYZqmompmjwLC6jKmYrKtdlsSixYytn55lpKfCtbSMm5yhoZ6ZerW0xGaprqWfp8Bw