Latest news with #Miracles
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Smokey Robinson denies claims of sexual assault, attorney says
An attorney for Smokey Robinson on Wednesday called accusations of sexual assault against the Motown legend false and said that the 'You've Really Got a Hold on Me' singer will respond in the coming days. Four former housekeepers of Robinson's in a lawsuit filed Tuesday accused him of sexually assaulting them, which was alleged to have gone on for years. The lawsuit seeks no less than $50 million in damages. Robinson's attorney, Christopher Frost, in a statement late Wednesday called the lawsuit "simply an ugly method of trying to extract money from an 85-year-old American icon." "Through this process we have seen the bizarre theatrics of yesterday's news conference, as the plaintiffs' attorneys outlined vile, false allegations against Mr. and Mrs. Robinson, trying to enlist the public as an unwitting participant in the media circus they are trying to create," Frost said in the statement. Frost also said that "in time Mr. Robinson will respond in his own words." The lawsuit filed against Robinson in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleged that the assaults largely occurred at Robinson's home in Chatsworth, a Los Angeles neighborhood in the far northwestern section of the city. The women who sued are identified in the lawsuit as Jane Does 1-4. Three of them appeared Tuesday at a news conference in Los Angeles wearing masks, and a fourth appeared virtually. One of their attorneys, John Harris, said at that event that the women 'were Hispanic women employed as housekeepers earning below minimum wage." "As low-wage workers in vulnerable positions, they lacked the resources and options to protect themselves," Harris said. The suit alleges that Robinson assaulted one woman at least 23 times from May 2014 to February 2020, often in places in his home without security cameras. The suit alleges that he assaulted another former employee at least 20 times during the 12 years she worked for him, beginning in 2012. According to the suit, Robinson would force her into his bedroom and perform a 'ritual' of leaving his bathroom naked or nearly naked. According to the suit, Robinson would then place a towel on his bed so the linens would not be soiled 'for what was about to occur.' The suit says he subjected two other plaintiffs to the same behavior. One of the former housekeepers worked for Robinson for 13 months, during which, she alleges, he assaulted her at least seven times. All of the plaintiffs accused Robinson's wife, Frances Robinson, who is also named as a defendant, of perpetuating a hostile work environment by screaming at them and using ethnically pejorative language. Robinson was a pioneer for Motown Records, founding the vocal group the Miracles in the 1950s and later releasing albums as a solo artist and working as a record executive for the label. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. Frost, Robinson's lawyer, said they will seek to have the lawsuit dismissed. He also criticized the lawyers for the women over the press conference, saying that they "have reached beyond the bounds of liberties that even lawyers are typically allowed in this context." "We will have more to say on this matter, as we fiercely defend our clients against these false allegations and work to protect their good names," Frost said. This article was originally published on
NBC News
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
Smokey Robinson denies claims of sexual assault, attorney says
An attorney for Smokey Robinson on Wednesday called accusations of sexual assault against the Motown legend false and said that the 'You've Really Got a Hold on Me' singer will respond in the coming days. Four former housekeepers of Robinson's in a lawsuit filed Tuesday accused him of sexually assaulting them, which was alleged to have gone on for years. The lawsuit seeks no less than $50 million in damages. Robinson's attorney, Christopher Frost, in a statement late Wednesday called the lawsuit "simply an ugly method of trying to extract money from an 85-year-old American icon." "Through this process we have seen the bizarre theatrics of yesterday's news conference, as the plaintiffs' attorneys outlined vile, false allegations against Mr. and Mrs. Robinson, trying to enlist the public as an unwitting participant in the media circus they are trying to create," Frost said in the statement. Frost also said that "in time Mr. Robinson will respond in his own words." The lawsuit filed against Robinson in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleged that the assaults largely occurred at Robinson's home in Chatsworth, a Los Angeles neighborhood in the far northwestern section of the city. The women who sued are identified in the lawsuit as Jane Does 1-4. Three of them appeared Tuesday at a news conference in Los Angeles wearing masks, and a fourth appeared virtually. One of their attorneys, John Harris, said at that event that the women 'were Hispanic women employed as housekeepers earning below minimum wage." "As low-wage workers in vulnerable positions, they lacked the resources and options to protect themselves," Harris said. The suit alleges that Robinson assaulted one woman at least 23 times from May 2014 to February 2020, often in places in his home without security cameras. The suit alleges that he assaulted another former employee at least 20 times during the 12 years she worked for him, beginning in 2012. According to the suit, Robinson would force her into his bedroom and perform a 'ritual' of leaving his bathroom naked or nearly naked. According to the suit, Robinson would then place a towel on his bed so the linens would not be soiled 'for what was about to occur.' The suit says he subjected two other plaintiffs to the same behavior. One of the former housekeepers worked for Robinson for 13 months, during which, she alleges, he assaulted her at least seven times. All of the plaintiffs accused Robinson's wife, Frances Robinson, who is also named as a defendant, of perpetuating a hostile work environment by screaming at them and using ethnically pejorative language. Robinson was a pioneer for Motown Records, founding the vocal group the Miracles in the 1950s and later releasing albums as a solo artist and working as a record executive for the label. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. Frost, Robinson's lawyer, said they will seek to have the lawsuit dismissed. He also criticized the lawyers for the women over the press conference, saying that they "have reached beyond the bounds of liberties that even lawyers are typically allowed in this context." "We will have more to say on this matter, as we fiercely defend our clients against these false allegations and work to protect their good names," Frost said.
The Guardian
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Smokey Robinson denies four housekeepers' allegations of sexual assault
Smokey Robinson has denied allegations of sexual assault, after four former housekeepers of the Motown star filed a lawsuit with claims including sexual battery, false imprisonment, negligence and gender violence. The suit was filed in a Los Angeles court on 6 May. It also alleges a series of labour violations, including that Robinson and his wife, Frances, failed to pay the women minimum wage and overtime, submitted inaccurate wage statements and created a hostile work environment. The women are seeking financial damages. Robinson's lawyer Christopher Frost has responded to the lawsuit, saying that 'the evidence … will show that this is simply an ugly method of trying to extract money from an 85-year-old American icon – $50m, to be exact.' He called the allegations against Robinson and his wife 'vile, false', adding that they 'defy credulity' and contain 'issues relating to purported timelines, inconsistencies and relationships between the plaintiffs and others'. Frost accused the plaintiffs' legal team of 'bizarre theatrics' and of 'trying to enlist the public as an unwitting participant in the media circus they are trying to create'. Robinson is one of the most successful singer-songwriters in pop history, with hits he performed himself – such as US No 1 Tears of a Clown, with his group the Miracles – complemented by those written for others, such as My Guy by Mary Wells, Ain't That Peculiar by Marvin Gaye and hits by the Temptations including Get Ready and My Girl. The allegations against him date from between 2007 and 2024. The women, who are all anonymised in the lawsuit, allege that he sexually assaulted them at his estate in Chatsworth, California, with alleged offences also taking place at homes in Las Vegas and Bell Canyon, California. Lawyers for the women said that 'as low-wage workers in vulnerable positions, they lacked the resources and options necessary to protect themselves from sexual assaults'. Robinson was characterised as 'a serial and sick rapist' who must be stopped. Robinson's wife, Frances, is accused of using 'ethnically pejorative words and language', and being aware of the alleged sexual assaults. 'We believe she was aware of the misconduct by her husband, Smokey Robinson, and that she used their status as well as our clients' reliance on their living wage in order to keep them in check,' lawyer Herbert Hayden said. Frost said that Robinson would later respond in his own words, and that a motion would be filed to dismiss the lawsuit.
The Guardian
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Smokey Robinson accused of sexual assault by four women in $50m lawsuit
Motown legend William 'Smokey' Robinson has been accused of sexual assault and misconduct by four women – identified only as Jane Does 1, 2, 3 and 4 – who worked as housekeepers for the Robinsons. A complaint filed in Los Angeles superior court on 6 May lists charges including sexual battery, false imprisonment, negligence and gender violence. The complaint seeks $50m total in damages for the four women. The lawsuit also names Robinson's wife, Frances Robinson, and lists a litany of alleged labor violations, including failure to pay minimum wage, failure to pay overtime, inaccurate wage statements and hostile work environment. Smokey Robinson's towering status was built from decades in the music business, starting with his founding of the Motown group the Miracles in 1955. Robinson claims credit on more than 4,000 songs, with production credits including the Temptations and Marvin Gaye, and he has spots in both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Halls of Fame. According to the complaint, filed by Los Angeles-based firm Harris & Hayden, Robinson's larger-than-life status was an intimidating factor in coming forward with the allegations. Attorney John Harris, speaking at a Los Angeles news conference, contrasted Robinson's status with that of his accusers. 'They're Hispanic women who were employed by the Robinsons earning below minimum wage,' Harris said. 'As low-wage women in vulnerable positions, they lacked the resources and options necessary to protect themselves from sexual assaults.' Harris emphasized the vulnerability of Robinson's accusers. 'They all feared missing a pay day and not being able to pay their rent or buy food for their families,' Harris said. The complaint shows a pattern not just in the accusers' backgrounds, but in their allegations. Jane Does 1, 3 and 4 all allege Robinson sexually assaulted them in the 'blue bedroom' of his Chatsworth residence, and laying down a towel to protect the bed sheets prior to the assaults. Jane Doe 4's account includes allegations of rape at Robinson's Las Vegas and Bell Canyon homes. Jane Doe 2's allegations state that Robinson raped her in the laundry room and garage of his Chatsworth residence, where closed-circuit cameras were unable to see. 'We believe Mr Robinson is a sick and serial rapist that must be stopped,' Harris said. All four women also allege a hostile work environment from Frances Robinson, and state that she consistently used 'ethnically pejorative words and language'. The complaint states that she failed to prevent her husband's sexual assaults, 'despite having full knowledge of his prior acts of sexual misconduct, having settled cases with other women that suffered and experienced similar sexual assaults perpetrated by him'. 'We believe she was aware of the misconduct by her husband, Smokey Robinson, and that she used their status as well as the client's reliance on their living wage in order to keep them in check,' attorney Herbert Hayden said. According to Hayden and Harris, no police reports or criminal charges have been filed against Robinson.
Otago Daily Times
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Music month offers variety
Dr Reknaw weave a web of peace and positivity. Photo: Ashley Hillier DR REKNAW Album: Miracles The Crown Hotel, Ōtepoti, May 3 Every May, NZ Music Month/ Te Marama Puoro o Aotearoa brings a wave of fresh music, as bands drop new albums to mark the occasion. In the first half of the month, Ōtepoti is being treated to a diverse array of album release shows from both local and touring acts. Excitingly, these albums are all independent releases, a testament to the fact that the DIY spirit is thriving in our musical communities. The relaxed grooves of Wellington reggae/soul/folk outfit Dr. Reknaw's album Miracles weave a web of peace and positivity around listeners, gently urging them to pause and consider the possibility that everything is going to be all right after all. Alongside the hallmarks of classic reggae, the album features liquid psychedelic guitar, Latin-flavoured flourishes and swirling rock riffs. The final track — surely the one they refer to as "nun rock" — with its violin, piano and clicking fingers, feels like an old-world spiritual ushering in of a new utopian era. Throughout, Miracles frontwomen and sisters Julia and Sophie Cooper radiate sizzling synergy, shifting between angelic purity, sultry whispers and soulful power as they deliver timely reminders of how we can thrive in this complex world. "Gotta make time for yourself", they remind us. "Put yourself on a pedestal" and "be a conscious creator". And when they say "we gotta get higher", you know they aren't just talking about spirituality, although they most definitely are. A tip for experts — if you're wondering who Dr. Reknaw is, try reading it backwards. The Fabulists deliver potent retro flavour. Photo: Shane Gilchrist THE FABULISTS Album: The Sky Spill Secrets Pearl Diver, Ōtepoti, May 3 Ōtepoti band The Fabulists present themselves as peacocks in a monochrome city — storytellers and conjurers of marvels. Their new album The Sky Spills Secrets draws from a wide palette — including plump synth bass, strummed acoustic guitar, washy textures, deep sonorous vocals and an eclectic mix of samples — and mixes these ingredients into a variety of different forms. Listeners are treated to bass-heavy dance floor bangers, lazy summer day songs and power ballads with epic emotional shifts. Straight 8 — a gently crooned, David Bowie-inflected critique of modern life — has biting lyrics: "Turn on your big TV, the plot is getting deeper. Fast-fry last night's meal, yet still it's under-heated". Some tracks on The Sky Spills Secrets could slip under the radar on a Classic Hits of the '80s radio station, others make you sit up in surprise — often both simultaneously. The Fabulists recognise this, describing The Sky Spills Secrets as "a strange mix of cohesion and chaos". The cohesion is to be found in the potent retro flavour, the distinctive vocal stylings and in the faintly cheesy quality that runs through the album. Whether this touch of kitsch is a self-aware wink or simply an accidental flourish is open to interpretation. But overall, the addition of the chaos makes The Sky Spills Secrets a perplexing listen; The Fabulists' vision is so uncommon that it's difficult to place — but that is undoubtedly part of its charm. Powder Chute are immense and confident. Photo: Nat Warburton POWDER CHUTES Album: Powder Chutes The Crown Hotel, Ōtepoti, May 9 The members of Wānaka grunge/hard rock band Powder Chutes may still be in their teens, but they're already hitting the big time, their eponymous album sitting at No 4 on the Official Top 20 Aotearoa Album Chart. Head-spinningly, four of Powder Chute's songs have been shoulder-tapped by Classic Rock Magazine for their "best new rock songs you need to hear right now" column. It's not hard to see why the band are receiving these accolades — their sound is immense and confident as they erect walls of complex, layered noise, reminiscent of classic bands like Sound Garden or Pearl Jam. It's a relentless barrage, packed with riffs and high energy, that demands good speakers to be felt properly. Everything here pulses with symphonic grunge urgency — even the misleadingly titled Mellow Track refuses to dial it down. The lads take influence from the cookbooks of many genres — occasionally an emo flavour is identifiable in the vocals, elsewhere tasting notes of System of a Down are evident in the mantra-like chanting. The subject matter is the nuts and bolts of life — the enduring teenage topography of existential troubleshooting, unrequited love, fraught family relationships and getting blackout sloshed — all rendered with beyond-their-years maturity and poeticism.
