Smokey Robinson returning to Detroit to serve as Grand Prix Grand Marshal
Ooh, baby, baby: Smokey Robinson is coming back to Detroit next month.
The 84-year-old performer, who raced to the top of the music charts as founder and frontman of the Miracles, has been named the grand marshal and an honored guest of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix on June 2.
"We are thrilled to have a true Motown legend join us and serve as Sunday Grand Marshal at the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear," Michael Montri, the race president announced, calling Robinson "a music icon."
William Robinson Jr., also known as the “King of Motown” and who was a Motown Records executive, is a native Detroiter. He got the nickname Smokey, he once explained, because he loved cowboy movies and that’s what his favorite uncle and godfather called him, “Smokey Joe.” Robinson later dropped the Joe.
Robinson recorded Motown's first million-selling hit in 1960 with "Shop Around." In 1987, the singer and songwriter was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And in 2016, he was recognized with the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for his lifetime music contributions.
Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Smokey Robinson named Detroit Grand Prix Grand Marshal
