Saturday the Motown genius Smokey Robinson received The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Music Master tributes along with a honorary doctorate from Case Western Reserve University. Robinson said of the Rock Hall tribute “Spaces like this have been occupied by so many people who were the products of the dream of one man . And he is my best friend – Berry Gordy.”
Gordy himself was in attendance along side other music favorites giving honor to the inductee. Gordy called Robinson “the soul of Motown” and said the leader of the Miracles started a fire that would never be put out.
“I hope he knows how deeply he was loved and how deeply he made other people love” Gordy said and then joked “as evidenced by the mob of babies born because of him…. many of them , his own. Sorry Smoke, I had to say that.”
Musical guests included Mary Wilson of the Supremes, Dennis Edwards of the Temptations, Martha Reeves, Michelle Williams formerly of Destiny’s Child, Eric Roberson, Avant, Avery Sunshine, Bilal, JoJo, and more.
Performing some of his greatest hits such as You’ve really Got A Hold On Me, Tracks Of My Tears, Ooo Baby Baby, Cruisin’, Who’s Lovin You and many more on a stage for a sold out show at the Cleveland Playhouse Square.
Eric Roberson and Bilal
Berry Gordy and JoJo
