William "Smokey" Robinson Jr. was born in Detroit, Michigan on February 19, 1940. He founded the Miracles in the mid-1950s as the Five Chimes, later meeting Berry Gordy and becoming one of Motown Records' first signed acts. As lead vocalist, songwriter, and producer, Robinson helped establish the Motown sound with hits including "Shop Around" (1960), "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" (1962), and "The Tears of a Clown" (1970). Between 1960 and 1970, he produced 26 top forty hits with the group. Robinson also served as Motown's vice president, writing and producing for other artists including The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, and Mary Wells. He retired from the Miracles in 1972 to focus on his executive duties and family, then launched a solo career in 1973. His solo work included the albums Smokey (1973) and A Quiet Storm (1975), along with hits such as "Cruisin'" and "Just to See Her," for which he won a Grammy Award in 1988. Robinson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1989.