ABOUT THE MIRACLES
Founded by Motown legends Smokey Robinson and Claudette Robinson, The Miracles produced an amazing 26 Top 40 songs, four of which are in the Grammy Hall of Fame – big hits including “Shop Around,” “The Tracks of My Tears,” “Tears of a Clown,” “I Second That Emotion,” “Ooh, Baby Baby,” “Mickey’s Monkey,” “Goin’ to A-Go-Go,” and many more. Their music captivated audiences with its heartfelt lyrics and catchy hooks. As one of the first black groups to achieve mainstream success, they paved the way for other Motown artists and left a lasting impact on the music industry as a whole.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
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Recorded 26 Top 40 charted hits
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Two #1 Hits: Tears of a Clown and Love Machine
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4 songs inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame
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#32 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time
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1997 recipient of Rhythm & Blues Foundation Pioneer Award
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2001 Induction into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame
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2009 received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
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2011 Induction into the Doo Wop Hall of Fame
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2012 Induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
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2014 Induction into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame
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2015 Induction into the R&B Music Hall of Fame
THE MIRACLES
HISTORY
The Miracles began in 1956 at Detroit’s Northern High School when childhood friends Bobby Rogers, Smokey Robinson, Claudette Robinson, Ronnie White, and Pete Moore formed a musical group that would become one of the most popular of all time. Signed to Berry Gordy’s legendary Motown Records, “Shop Around” became their first Gold Record and a number one smash on all the charts. The Miracles followed that up with hit after hit for over a decade.
In 1971, Smokey Robinson retired to spend time with his growing family. Billy Griffin replaced him and The Miracles continued their success with renowned producers like Marvin Gaye, Willie Hutch, and Freddie Perren, adding “Do It Baby” and “Love Machine”, expanding their influence in pop, R&B, and disco. The Miracles music became part of American culture, featured in movie soundtracks such as “The Big Chill”, “Platoon” and “Donnie Brasco.”
Today’s The Miracles have performed on television (The Today Show, Good Morning America), in Las Vegas (The Rio, Star Dust, the Freemont Street Experience), at Constitution Hall in Washington DC, and on stages all over the world. The Miracles continue to record, including a new Greatest Hits album, a live album, and a holiday album CD of Christmas classics and two original songs. The Miracles received the Pioneer Award from The Rhythm & Blues Foundation and a star on the Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame. Recently they were voted Detroit’s first Motown group to be commemorated on its Walk of Fame. The Miracles are members of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The Miracles Keep Happening
In 1978, upon the departure of Billy Griffin, The Miracles members Pete Moore, Bobby Rogers and Ronnie White chose Sydney Justin as The Miracles new lead vocalist but he had a prior commitment to the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams. After earning a Super Bowl ring and retiring from football in 1985, Sydney signed with the vocal pop group Shalamar and produced and wrote songs for movie soundtracks.
In 1994, as faith would have it, Bobby Rogers and Claudette Robinson embarked on a quest to secure the future of The Miracles that again led them to Sydney Justin. He joined Bobby Rogers, Ronnie White and Claudette Robinson, The Miracles for their second wave of success. After the loss of Ronnie White, Claudette Robinson blessed today’s The Miracles lineup to carry on the group’s storied tradition: Cordell Conway, Kerry Justin, Sydney Justin, and Eric Swindell.
