Celebrating Black Music Month with First Lady of Motown Claudette Robinson

Columnists, Kim's Kronicles — By Kim Webster on June 13, 2017 at 4:07 am

 

By Kim Webster

LOS ANGELES CA – “I feel like I’m standing next to royalty,” said Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson 8^th District as he gave accolades to Claudette Robinson who was being honored in Los Angeles City Council Chambers.  “It is not only an honor but such a privilege to be able to stand here with the First Lady of Motown who was the initial person that I listened to in my home along with Smokey Robinson & The Miracles,” said singer/author/actor Norwood Young.  Ms Robinson enjoyed Norwood’s lyrical  rendition of “My Girl” as he changed the title to “You Girl” in her honor.   Councilmember Curren D Price Jr. 9^th District announced earlier that a proclamation would be presented to Ms Robinson for her work in the entertainment industry and the community.

“I am honored to come here today as you recognize me for my work in the entertainment industry and as a member of the Miracles,” said Ms Robinson.  She thanked family, friends, fans, Mayor Eric Garcetti and council-members President Herb Wesson 10^th District, Curren D Price Jr. 9^th District and Marqueece Harris-Dawson 8^th District.  “We started our careers 60 years ago,” said Ms Robinson as she began a brief history of her career.  “At that time we didn’t have a clue that we would be signed to a label and make our living as singers for this many years.”  In the beginning Smokey Robinson, Claudette’s brother Emerson Rogers and her cousin Bobby Rogers along with Pete Moore and Ronnie White were members of a group called the Matadors.   At this time Ms Robinson had a sister group the Matadorettes.  When her brother left the Matadors to join the Army she was asked to audition for the Matadors which later became the Miracles.  “I went on the audition in my U S Marine Corp Reserve uniform,” she smiled and said.  She was a sharp shooter in the Reserves and said it “was a pleasure” to serve for the country.   At this 1957 audition then songwriter Berry Gordy liked what he saw and took an interest in the group.  “Our first record was released in 1958,” said Ms Robinson.  She remembers their first royalty check in the amount of $3.19 which had to be divided five ways!  After that experience, Smokey Robinson suggested to Berry Gordy to start a record company, which was an idea Mr Gordy was already thinking about.   Motown Records was born on January 12, 1959 “and from that time we did make a recording of  Shop Around,” she explained, “it became Motown’s  first million seller.”   “Shop Around” put Motown on the map and the Miracles traveled around the world and met “many, many wonderful people.”  Ms Robinson thanked everyone for joining her in carrying on the “legacy of the Miracles” and became emotional when speaking about Miracles Bobby Rogers and Ronnie White who passed away.   To learn more of the Miracles history consider attending the Legends of Motown exhibit Celebrating The Miracles at the Grammy Museum  located at 800 W Olympic Blvd in Los Angeles 90015 now thru the Summer of 2017.

Ms Robinson is a member of the Heroes And Legends (HAL) Scholarship Awards program founded by Motown Alumni Janie Bradford.   This year celebrates 28 years providing scholarships to young people.  Ms Robinson describes her own children Berry and Tamla as her “miracle children who give me the light and desire to carry on everyday.”  Her face beams with joy as she mentions grandchildren Lyric, Thomas, and Alexis.  She also thanked her publicist Cynthia Busby, long-time friend Detective Rachel Shannon and her councilperson.  With all the grace of a First Lady Ms Claudette Robinson closed by saying, “I’m just proud to have everybody here.  I want to thank each and every one of you who are here today and I’m honored, I’m humbled, and feel extremely blessed to be here, and I thank you for this honor.”