FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!
Quiz about Rock and Roll Hall of Fame  Smokey Robinson
Quiz about Rock and Roll Hall of Fame  Smokey Robinson

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Smokey Robinson Quiz


Smokey Robinson had a voice that could best be described a "pure silk". His approach to singing was inspirational to many of his peers and followers. This quiz is about the man and his music.

A multiple-choice quiz by ralzzz. Estimated time: 5 mins.
  1. Home
  2. »
  3. Quizzes
  4. »
  5. Music Trivia
  6. »
  7. Music Industry Awards
  8. »
  9. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Author
ralzzz
Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
229,100
Updated
Aug 24 22
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
512
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 66 (7/10), Guest 50 (4/10), Guest 76 (6/10).
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. There is nothing more special in music than peer-to-peer praise, when one noted artist publicly comments on another's body of work in a very positive manner. Which great songwriter dubbed Smokey as "America's greatest living poet"? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Smokey Robinson is associated with his work as a member of The Miracles. They were one of the most successful acts of the 1960s. In fact they had 18 songs land on the US Billboard Pop charts in the decade alone. However, it was in 1970 that the band achieved their first number one single on that chart. What song was it? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Which song is famously noted as the launching pad for the Motown label? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. In addition to being an incredible singer, Robinson has gained the reputation as one of the greatest songwriters in American history. Which of the following songs did he pen for The Temptations? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. With a catalog of songs as vast as Robinson's, it's almost an understatement to say that many artists have covered his music on their own albums. Sometimes the song may be recorded much differently than the original. Which Smokey Robinson song was re-recorded in a reggae style by Peter Tosh? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Which band had a top ten single in the US titled "When Smokey Sings", a song written to honor Smokey Robinson's singing style? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. What is Smokey Robinson's real first name? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. In the song "Tears of a Clown", what is the name of the famous clown that is mentioned in the lyrics? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. One of the best movies from 1983 featured a few songs penned by Smokey Robinson. Which of these was not on the soundtrack to the movie "The Big Chill"? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Which movie featured the song "Cruisin'", as performed karaoke-style by co-stars of the film? Hint



(Optional) Create a Free FunTrivia ID to save the points you are about to earn:

arrow Select a User ID:
arrow Choose a Password:
arrow Your Email:




Most Recent Scores
Mar 13 2024 : Guest 66: 7/10
Mar 13 2024 : Guest 50: 4/10
Feb 14 2024 : Guest 76: 6/10
Feb 03 2024 : Guest 199: 9/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. There is nothing more special in music than peer-to-peer praise, when one noted artist publicly comments on another's body of work in a very positive manner. Which great songwriter dubbed Smokey as "America's greatest living poet"?

Answer: Bob Dylan

Probably one of the most famous examples of one artist dishing out praise for another in music history. The quote was taken after the song "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" was making its way up the charts.
2. Smokey Robinson is associated with his work as a member of The Miracles. They were one of the most successful acts of the 1960s. In fact they had 18 songs land on the US Billboard Pop charts in the decade alone. However, it was in 1970 that the band achieved their first number one single on that chart. What song was it?

Answer: The Tears of a Clown

The Miracles were formed in a Detroit, MI high school. They were origianlly dubbed The Five Chimes.
3. Which song is famously noted as the launching pad for the Motown label?

Answer: Shop Around

Even though the song "Bad Girls" was the first song to be recorded at Motown (it was released nationally on Chess records), the song "Shop Around" gave the label its first hit, and the capital it needed to secure other artists to the fledgling label.
4. In addition to being an incredible singer, Robinson has gained the reputation as one of the greatest songwriters in American history. Which of the following songs did he pen for The Temptations?

Answer: My Girl

In addition, Robinson also wrote the song "The Way You Do the Things You Do" and "Get Ready" for the group. Both songs were very popular and both cracked the top 40 on Billboards Pop Singles chart.
5. With a catalog of songs as vast as Robinson's, it's almost an understatement to say that many artists have covered his music on their own albums. Sometimes the song may be recorded much differently than the original. Which Smokey Robinson song was re-recorded in a reggae style by Peter Tosh?

Answer: (You Gotta Walk) Don't Look Back

This song was recorded while Bob Marley was in the United States, giving Tosh an opportunity to work with The Wailers without Marley being there. The result was incredible. The song "(You Gotta Walk) Don't Look Back" was recorded with Mick Jagger accompanying Tosh on vocals.
6. Which band had a top ten single in the US titled "When Smokey Sings", a song written to honor Smokey Robinson's singing style?

Answer: ABC

ABC were formed in Sheffield, England in 1980. This song was a number five single on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart in the US in 1987. Oddly, at the same time this song was on the chart, Smokey had his own song on the same chart. The song "One Heartbeat" reached number ten for Smokey at the same time.
7. What is Smokey Robinson's real first name?

Answer: William

William "Smokey" Robinson was born in Detroit, Michigan on February 19, 1940. A chance meeting with Berry Gordy secured his place in music history as an artist and a music mogul. Smokey got his name because of his love of the westerns on television. His parents began calling him Smokey, and the name just stuck.
8. In the song "Tears of a Clown", what is the name of the famous clown that is mentioned in the lyrics?

Answer: Pagliacci

"Pagliacci" was an opera written by Ruggero Leoncavallo. Smokey Robinson wrote the lyrics to the song, but the music was written by Stevie Wonder. Wonder gave Robinson the lyrics to the song at a 1966 Motown Christmas party.
9. One of the best movies from 1983 featured a few songs penned by Smokey Robinson. Which of these was not on the soundtrack to the movie "The Big Chill"?

Answer: I Heard it Through the Grapevine

OK, I admit it, this was a slight trick question. The song "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" was on the soundtrack, however, it was not written by Smokey Robinson. It was written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong, and performed by the late, great Marvin Gaye.
10. Which movie featured the song "Cruisin'", as performed karaoke-style by co-stars of the film?

Answer: Duets

Huey Lewis and Gwyneth Paltrow teamed up to sing this song in the 2000 movie "Duets". I assume Gwyneth had no problem securing the lead role in this film. Her father, Bruce Paltrow, was the director.
Smokey Robinson took his rendition of the song to the number four spot on both the Pop and R&B Billboard charts in the US.
Source: Author ralzzz

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gretas before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
3/28/2024, Copyright 2024 FunTrivia, Inc. - Report an Error / Contact Us