1940–present
Latest News: Smokey Robinson Under Investigation for Sexual Assault
Motown legend Smokey Robinson is being criminally investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department following allegations of rape and sexual assault from his former employees. The sheriff’s department confirmed that the investigation is in its early stages on May 15 but provided no further details.
The probe follows a lawsuit brought by four of Robinson’s former housekeepers earlier this month. Accusing the musician of being a “serial and sick rapist,” the lawsuit alleges that the 85-year-old assaulted the unnamed woman on dozens of occasions between 2007 and 2024 while they were employed to clean his three residences in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Ventura County, California. The suit also claims Robinson and his wife, Frances, failed to pay the woman minimum wage or overtime. They are seeking $50 million in damages.
Robinson’s attorney, Chris Frost, denied the allegations against him and objected to the criminal investigation. “We feel confident that a determination will be made that Mr. Robinson did nothing wrong, and that this is a desperate attempt to prejudice public opinion and make even more of a media circus than the Plaintiffs were previously able to create,” Frost said in a statement.
Who Is Smokey Robinson?
Smokey Robinson is a Grammy-winning singer and producer who founded the R&B group The Miracles before embarking on a successful solo career. Known as the “King of Motown,” the Detroit native is second to only Berry Gordy in the founding of Motown. A prolific songwriter, Robinson is credited with 4,000 songs and 37 Top 40 hits, including “Tears of a Clown,” “Tracks of My Tears,” and “Love Machine.” Robinson also served as vice president of Motown Records, writing and producing hits for groups such as The Temptations and Mary Wells.
Quick Facts
FULL NAME: William Robinson Jr.
BORN: February 19, 1940
BIRTHPLACE: Detroit, Michigan
SPOUSES: Claudette Rogers Robinson (1959–1986) and Frances Robinson (2002–present)
CHILDREN: Berry, Tamla, and Trey
ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Pisces
Becoming the King of Motown
Smokey Robinson was born William Robinson Jr. on February 19, 1940, in Detroit. Growing up in a rough neighborhood, Robinson started out singing in local groups. His early exposure to music was quite varied. “I grew up in a home where I had a great dose of music,” he told Rolling Stone. “There was a lot of classical, like Beethoven and Chopin, but I also heard everything from gospel to jazz to blues.”
In the early 1950s, Robinson formed the Matadors, which later became the world-famous group The Miracles. A chance meeting with record producer Berry Gordy Jr. led to a contract with Motown Records as well as an important working relationship.
With Robinson as their lead singer, The Miracles scored their first big hit with 1960’s “Shop Around” and developed quite a following with their energetic R&B sound. The group has numerous hits, such as 1962’s “You Really Got a Hold on Me”—later covered by The Beatles—and 1967’s “I Second That Emotion.” Their 1965 album Going To A Go-Go included the popular tracks “Ooo Baby Baby” and “The Tracks of My Tears,” which was added to the National Recording Registry in 2007. More than just a frontman, Robinson composed for and produced the group.
He worked behind the scenes for other Motown artists, too. Among the songs Robinson penned for Mary Wells was “My Guy,” a 1964 release that became her only No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Its follow-up in The Temptations’ “My Girl,” which Robinson cowrote for the group, was another chart-topper. Robinson also contributed to Marvin Gaye’s sound, and the two were close friends up until Gaye’s tragic death. Altogether, the “King of Motown” was instrumental to the success of Motown Records and helped advance the popularity of soul music.
Solo Career
Robinson went solo in 1972, creating a more mellow sound for himself. Often associated with romantic soul music, he released such successful albums as A Quiet Storm (1974) and Touch the Sky (1983). The mid-1980s were a difficult time for him as he battled a drug addiction. Robinson openly discussed his cocaine problem as well as many other personal topics in his 1989 autobiography, Smokey: Inside My Life. He has credited his recovery from substance abuse to his religious faith.
After two previous nominations, Robinson went on to win his first and only Grammy Award in 1987 when his song “Just To See Her” was named the Best R&B Vocal Performance. This was followed by Double Good Everything (1991) and the Grammy-nominated Intimate (1999). He took his work in a new direction in 2004, releasing a collection of music that reflected his spiritual beliefs entitled Food for the Spirit.
In 2006, Robinson was selected to be a Kennedy Center Honoree for his contributions to the arts and American culture and received an honorary degree from Howard University. That year, he also put out a new album, Timeless Love, which offered Robinson’s take on several classic songs, such as Cole Porter’s “Night and Day” and the Gershwin brothers’ “Our Love Is Here to Stay.” Timeless Love garnered a Grammy nod for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album, marking Robinson’s sixth career nomination.
The dedicated entertainer continues to record new music and maintain a busy tour schedule. In 2009, he released the studio album Time Flies When You’re Having Fun. Three years later, Robinson gave an impressive performance on the television competition Dancing with the Stars. Also in 2012, The Miracles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Additional albums from the legendary singer include Smokey & Friends (2014), a collection of duets, and Gasms (2023), his first album in nearly a decade. In February 2025, Robinson embarked on his Legacy Tour. Two months later, he put out an album of covers titled What The World Needs Now.
Robinson has also served as a public speaker over the years. Exploring new business opportunities, he formed a food company called Smokey Robinson Foods, which includes a line of ready-to-eat meals.
Sexual Assault Allegations
In May 2025, the singer was sued by four former housekeepers, who accused him of raping and sexual assaulting them over the course of nearly two decades. Robinson has denied any wrongdoing. Later that month, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department announced that Robinson was under criminal investigation in connection with the allegations.
Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn’t look right, contact us!
The Biography.com staff is a team of people-obsessed and news-hungry editors with decades of collective experience. We have worked as daily newspaper reporters, major national magazine editors, and as editors-in-chief of regional media publications. Among our ranks are book authors and award-winning journalists. Our staff also works with freelance writers, researchers, and other contributors to produce the smart, compelling profiles and articles you see on our site. To meet the team, visit our About Us page: https://www.biography.com/about/a43602329/about-us
Catherine Caruso joined the Biography.com staff in August 2024, having previously worked as a freelance journalist for several years. She is a graduate of Syracuse University, where she studied English literature. When she’s not working on a new story, you can find her reading, hitting the gym, or watching too much TV.
