William 'Smokey' Robinson founded the Miracles as a Detroit teenager in 1955 and became one of Motown's first stars and its most trusted staff songwriter, eventually rising to vice president of the label. His lyrics turned plain, conversational language into some of pop's most sophisticated wordplay — Bob Dylan reportedly called him America's greatest living poet — while his high, tender tenor set a vocal template for the smooth soul singers who followed.

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1962

You've Really Got a Hold on MeSmokey Robinson