NAMM Honors Smokey Robinson
January 23, 2014, Anaheim—the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) honored Motown artist Smokey Robinson with the “Music for Life” award. Robinson is recognized for his five decades of enduring influence in the world of popular music, and his long standing as one of the founders of the Motown dynasty.
NAMM president and CEO Joe Lamond welcomed the beloved writer, producer, and performer. Lamond praised the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s generosity in embracing emerging musicians, his genuine enthusiasm for new musical styles, and his enduring status as an icon that paved the way for so many contemporary artists. Go to http://www.namm.org/nammu/industry/breakfast-champions-namm-show-2014-smokey-robinson for the video.
“So much of what we at NAMM stand for is exemplified in the career and life of the legendary Smokey Robinson,” Lamond said. “His influence on musicians, producers, writers, and even sound engineers continues to be profoundly felt today. He is a symbol of creativity and a beacon of inspiration to many. His music is authentic and emotionally real, and it is his ability to touch so many people with this talent that makes Smokey Robinson a true ambassador for music.”
NAMM’s Music for Life award recognizes individuals and organizations that demonstrate support for and exemplify NAMM’s vision that the joy of making music is a precious element of daily living for everyone. Past recipients have included Stevie Wonder, Yoko Ono, Quincy Jones, as well as members of Congress, governors, business leaders, the Smithsonian, and Sesame Workshop.
Robinson grew up in Detroit in a house filled with music. His mother had an upright piano and sang in their church. His two older sisters listened to everything, jazz, blues, gospel, and other genres. He wrote his first lyrics at age 6 when he was playing the part of Uncle Remus. The play director had written some music, and Robinson asked if he could write some words for the song. After writing the word and singing them for the teacher, he was asked to toss the song in at the beginning and end of the show.
His career has led him to mentor current artists like Kanye West. Music is always the same; some is good, some mediocre, and a lot is bad. The problem is that young people are all getting lumped into the negative and bad groupings. The world is too focused on the negative, we get bombarded with negative information all day. The few really bad people take over the news.
People like Justin Beiber are distorting the news, and even he is getting an unfair trial by press. This negative focus also is not the full story of music. Some of the stories are getting to the point of being ridiculous, like CNN spending a lot of time on the story that Brittany Spears cut her hair.
But this is not new. When I was growing up, someone said if you play a record backwards, you will hear satanic messages. This was not true then, but it still got into the news. We have to understand that there is great music out there and the some of the young people are making good music.
Our music affects the whole world. We have to be proud of our music. I’m overwhelmed to be in this business, because when I was growing up in Detroit, in the ‘hood, in a hardcore area, talking about making a successful career in music was unbelievable. However, some of our dreams come true, and mine is one of those impossible childhood dreams.
When I go around the world, I find that Motown is everywhere. For example, when I was in an airport, a man in African garb came by and said “brother Smokey, I love your music. I’m from Tanzania.” I’m blessed to be able to do what I love, earning a living doing what I love doing. I’m still performing, because of all my work, performing is my favorite part. No where else can I do this, and get energy from the fans. I go to perform to see the fans, even though they think they are coming to see me.
Lamond noted that Robinson still keeps the same energy and passion and seems to have a fountain of youth. Part of your drive seems to come from a sense that you cannot fail.
Robinson agreed that he loves his work. The music business requires you to love it to be a part of it. Music requires love to push it and carry it on. He is honored to be associated with NAMM, because they are advocates for education and they donate money to inner city schools to give instruments and opportunities to the kids. It is bad that the government is cutting the arts programs due to their budgets.
Dance, art, and music are all voluntary programs. The programs give the kids a connection to the school and a reason for attending school. Programs for arts are very important to the youth, so the legislators should give up something else and keep the arts programs. Art is important to the world, and our young people will bring joy to the rest of the world.
Lamond asked if Robinson would help them when they go to Washington. Robinson resolutely responded, absolutely!
