Latest news with #TheMiracles'
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Legendary Singer Smokey Robinson, 85, Hit With Sexual Battery Lawsuit
R&B icon Smokey Robinson, 85, has been sued for allegedly creating a hostile work environment for four women who say they were his housekeepers, during which time they were subjected to forced 'sexual contact or touching' between 2007 and 2024, according to KTLA. These acts allegedly included repeated rapes at Robinson's various homes, the claimants' lawyer said during a press conference on Tuesday. The accusers allege sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment, and gender violence, according to the outlet, and that Robinson touched their 'entire bodies, including their vaginas, breasts, legs, abdomen, lips, and face' without consent. The founder and frontman of the Motown group The Miracles' wife Frances Gladney is also reportedly named in the suit, which was submitted to the the Los Angeles Superior Court. WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 04: Singer Smokey Robinson and his wife Frances Robinson arrive at the 34th Kennedy Center Honors at the Kennedy Center Hall of States on December 4, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/WireImage) / Paul Morigi/WireImage Robinson's accusers say Gladney failed to act to prevent the alleged abuses, despite 'having full knowledge of his prior acts of sexual misconduct' and 'having settled cases with other women that suffered and experienced similar sexual assaults perpetuated by him.' KTLA reports the suit says, 'Plaintiffs explicitly told Defendant Robinson on numerous occasions that they were not interested in his advances and objected to his forceful, physical, sexual, and harmful conduct.' They claim Gladney 'perpetuated a hostile work environment by regularly screaming at them separately in a hostile manner, using ethnically pejorative words and language.' EVANSTON, IL - SEPTEMBER 1968: Smokey Robinson and the Miracles perform at Evanston High School in Evanston, Illinois September 1968 () /Each of the women has chosen to remain anonymous and are referred to as 'Jane Does' in the suit, which also alleges they were not paid for overtime or for traveling with the couple. Each woman is also of Hispanic descent, according to their attorney, and claims they did not seek help because they feared for their immigration status and 'familial reprisal, public embarrassment, shame and humiliation.' The women are seeking $50 million in damages to make them whole from the 'economic damages, as well as severe emotional and physical harm, humiliation, distress, embarrassment, and anxiety as a result of Robinson's conduct.' On Tuesday, the women's attorney said of the amount, 'Given the gravity of Mr. Robinsons' despicable and reprehensible misconduct, that is further detailed in the complaint, this amount is clearly warranted. No amount of money can compensate these women for what Mr. Robinson subjected them to.'
Gulf Today
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Robinson is ready to bring his timeless hits to audiences
There's a reason Smokey Robinson is known as the 'King of Motown.' His voice — smooth, drenched in soul — has carried across generations, weaving through love stories, heartbreaks, and dance floors for more than five decades. Whether it was the unmistakable falsetto that made 'The Tracks of My Tears' an anthem or the lyrical touch that gifted 'My Girl' to the Temptations, Robinson's mark on music is unmistakable. When asked if it feels surreal to look back on all he's accomplished, Robinson's response is grounded in humility. 'None of it, or the magnitude of it, was expected,' he shared over the phone, still lively as ever. Robinson hails from Detroit, where he was a kid with big dreams and a notebook full of lyrics long before Motown existed. He formed The Miracles in the mid-1950s and when Berry Gordy took notice, everything changed. Robinson didn't just become a star — he became the architect of a sound that broke racial barriers and shaped American music. The Miracles' hits, from 'Shop Around' to 'You've Really Got a Hold on Me,' became top hits and cultural gems. And even beyond his own recordings, Robinson was the pen behind some of Motown's greatest classics, writing for Marvin Gaye, The Temptations, and Mary Wells. 'When we first started out, I never imagined this level of success,' he continued. 'I met Berry Gordy before Motown even began. On that very first day, neither of us anticipated that Motown would become a global phenomenon. We were just making music because we loved it. Back then, it wasn't even guaranteed that we'd be paid fairly, especially being Black. It's gone far beyond what we ever imagined.' At the time, music was still deeply segregated, and mainstream success for Black artists was far from guaranteed. But Motown wasn't just a record label—it was a movement. 'Berry Gordy said, 'We're not just going to make Black music; we're going to make music for everyone,'' Robinson recalled. 'And I'm proud to say we accomplished that.' Now, at 84, Robinson is still doing what he loves—performing, creating, and proving that timeless music never really fades. As he celebrates 50 years of 'Being With You,' Robinson is reflecting on his journey, his enduring passion, and the music that continues to bring people together. Songs like 'Ooo Baby Baby,' ' Cruisin',' and 'Being With You' became soundtracks to people's lives, and Robinson's ability to write with both heartache and hope ensured his music never lost relevance. For Robinson, the connection with his audience has always been at the heart of his performances, and it's something that has only deepened over the years. 'I do concerts, honey,' he said, his voice filled with joy. 'And it really makes me feel good. I see people at my concerts with their children, their children's children, all sitting on their laps. When I first saw them, they were on their parents' laps.' Despite the decades that have passed, he finds that every night offers a new opportunity to rediscover the joy in his own music. 'Every night, those songs feel new to me,' he continued. 'I'm extremely blessed to have a job I love, and I look forward to it every night. I'm having such a good time.' It's that sense of excitement that he brings to every show, often adjusting his setlist based on the energy of the crowd. 'I mix it up depending on where I'm performing,' he explained. 'If it's a younger crowd, I'll pick songs that resonate with them. Every concert is a unique experience.' Though his music is timeless, Robinson isn't one to look back when creating new work. 'I don't think about the past or any of that when I write,' Robinson said. 'Inspiration just hits me. When I write a song, I aim for it to resonate today and 50 years from now.' His approach to songwriting remains as fresh as ever, with his upcoming album 'What the World Needs Now' being a prime example. Associated Press
