Smokey Robinson

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/smokey-robinson

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. When was Smokey Robinson born?February 19, 1940
2. Where was Smokey Robinson born?Detroit, Michigan
3. Who is Smokey Robinson?Smokey Robinson is a famous singer and songwriter who helped create the sound of soul music. He was the lead singer of the group The Miracles and later worked as a music executive.
4. What band did Smokey Robinson start?He co‑founded The Miracles in 1955, originally called The Five Chimes. The group became a key part of the Motown sound.

R&B and Soul Music: Genres that blend African American musical traditions, characterized by emotional expression, rhythmic complexity, and often gospel influences.
Motown Records: A highly influential American record label founded in Detroit, known for its distinctive 'Motown Sound' and its role in breaking down racial barriers in popular music.
Falsetto: A singing voice that is produced by whistling or singing in the highest register of the voice, above the normal voice range.
A&R (Artists and Repertoire): The department of a record label responsible for discovering new talent and overseeing the recording and production of music.