Founded by Motown legends Smokey Robinson and Claudette Robinson, The Miracles’ music has captivated audiences with its heartfelt lyrics and catchy hooks for more than nearly seven decades. As one of the first black groups to achieve mainstream success, The Miracles paved the way for other Motown artists and left a lasting impact on the music industry. The group have amassed an amazing 26 Top 40 songs, four of which are in the Grammy Hall of Fame. Some of the group’s biggest and most well-known songs include “Shop Around,” “The Tracks of My Tears,” “Tears of a Clown,” “I Second That Emotion,” “Ooh, Baby Baby,” “Mickey’s Monkey,” “Goin’ to A-Go-Go,” and many more.
THE MIRACLES HISTORY
The Miracles began in 1956 at Detroit’s Northern High School when childhood friends Bobby Rogers, Smokey Robinson, Claudette Robinson, Ronnie White, and Pete Moore formed a musical group that would become one of the most popular of all time. Signed to Berry Gordy’s legendary Motown Records, “Shop Around” became their first Gold Record and a number one smash on all the charts. The Miracles followed that up with hit after hit for over a decade.
In 1971, Smokey Robinson retired to spend time with his growing family. Billy Griffin replaced him and The Miracles continued their success with renowned producers like Marvin Gaye, Willie Hutch, and Freddie Perren, adding “Do It Baby” and “Love Machine, expanding their influence in pop, R&B, and disco. The Miracles music became part of American culture, featured in movie soundtracks such as “The Big Chill,” “Platoon” and “Donnie Brasco.”
In 1978, upon the departure of Billy Griffin, The Miracles members Pete Moore, Bobby Rogers and Ronnie White chose Sydney Justin as The Miracles new lead vocalist but he had a prior commitment to the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams. After earning a Super Bowl ring and retiring from football in 1985, Sydney signed with the vocal pop group Shalamar and produced and wrote songs for movie soundtracks.
THE MIRACLES TODAY
In 1994, as faith would have it, Bobby Rogers and Claudette Robinson embarked on a quest to secure the future of The Miracles that again led them to Sydney Justin. He joined Bobby Rogers, Pete Moore, Ronnie White and Claudette Robinson, The Miracles for their second wave of success. After the loss of Ronnie White, Claudette Robinson blessed today’s The Miracles lineup to carry on the group’s storied tradition: Sydney Justin, Kerry Justin, Eric Swindell and Diosiq Burne.
The group has performed in its current iteration for more than 30 years. In that time, The Miracles–with lead singer, Sydney Justin–have performed on television (The Today Show, Good Morning America), in Las Vegas (The Rio, Star Dust, the Fremont Street Experience), at Constitution Hall in Washington DC, and on stages all over the world. In 1998 The Miracles Greatest Hits featuring lead singer Sydney Justin is released. The following year (1999) A Season For Miracles (featuring Sydney Justin) is released. The Miracles continue to record, including a new Greatest Hits album, a live album, and a holiday album CD of Christmas classics, with two original songs.
“The most surprising thing in my career has definitely been the incredible journey of playing in the NFL Super Bowl and then stepping into Smokey Robinson’s shoes in The Miracles,” SYDNEY JUSTIN says. “As an athlete, the transition to music seemed like an impossible shift, yet it felt like fate. Getting to replace someone as iconic as Smokey, who had such a distinct voice and influence, was a huge challenge, but it also opened up a whole new world to me. Balancing both careers was unexpected, but the experiences from both worlds have shaped who I am today.”
“To sing with the legendary group The Miracles with my brother (Sydney) and share the stage with him, it’s the highest level of music,” KERRY JUSTIN adds.
“I look forward with The Miracles having a long-lasting relationship and blessed to be a part of the history and success,” DIOSIQ BURNE, quotes.
“My whole musical journey has been abundantly full of surprising moments, memories and experiences,” ERIC SWINDLE notes.
The Miracles Keep Happening
THE MIRACLES CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Recorded 26 Top 40 charted hits
Two #1 Songs: “Tears of a Clown” and “Love Machine”
Four songs inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame
#32 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time
1997 recipient of Rhythm & Blues Foundation Pioneer Award
2001 Induction into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame
2009 received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
2011 Induction into the Doo Wop Hall of Fame
2012 Induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
2014 Induction into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame
2015 Induction into the R&B Music Hall of Fame
