PRIMARY WAVE MUSIC PUBLISHING ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH LEGENDARY SINGER-SONGWRITER SMOKEY ROBINSON
THE NEW PARTNERSHIP INCLUDES RIGHTS IN CLASSIC HITS SUCH AS “CRUISIN’,” “TEARS OF A CLOWN,” AND “MY GIRL”
NEW YORK, N.Y. (September 26, 2016) – Primary Wave Music Publishing, the leading U.S. independent music publishing company, announced today its partnership with the legendary singer-songwriter, producer, and former record executive, Smokey Robinson for his rights in his music publishing catalogue. The agreement includes some of Robinson’s classic hits and will enhance an already exclusive library of chart-topping and timeless music published by Primary Wave Music Publishing. Founder and lead vocalist of the Motown group, The Miracles and longtime Motown Vice President, Robinson launched a chart topping solo career in 1973 that continues to today. Primary Wave Music Publishing will work with Smokey Robinson to market his catalogue of music and also, his name and likeness.
“After getting to know Larry and the team at Primary Wave, I’m extremely excited about going into partnership with them. I think they have everything I’m looking for as a musical partner,” said Robinson.
“We are honored to begin this partnership with the incomparable Smokey Robinson,” says Lawrence Mestel Founder & CEO of Primary Wave Music Publishing. He adds, “Smokey’s music has resonated in people’s lives for over five decades. We are excited to work with him to create new opportunities that will introduce his music to a new generation of music fans.”
Sony/ATV Music Publishing will continue to be the worldwide music publisher for most of Smokey Robinson’s songs in the legendary Jobete catalog.
Once labeled by Bob Dylan as America’s “greatest living poet,” acclaimed singer-songwriter Smokey Robinson’s career spans over four decades of hits. He has received numerous awards including the Grammy Living Legend Award, NARAS Lifetime Achievement Award, Honorary Doctorate (Howard University), Kennedy Center Honors, the National Medal of Arts Award from the President of the United States, as well as being an inductee in both the Rock ‘n’ Roll and Songwriters’ Hall of Fame. Born and raised in Detroit, Robinson founded The Miracles while still in high school. The group was Berry Gordy’s first vocal group, and Robinson was one of 5 people there on day one of Motown Records. The Miracles first single “Shop Around” became Motown’s first #1 hit. In the years following, Robinson continued to pen chart topping hits for the group including “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me,” “Ooo Baby Baby,” “The Tracks of My Tears,” “Going to a Go-Go,” “More Love,” “Tears of a Clown” (co-written with Stevie Wonder), and “I Second That Emotion.” The Miracles dominated the music charts for two decades and Robinson continued he launched his solo career and tradition of hit-making with “Just to See Her,” “Quiet Storm,” “Cruisin’,” and “Being with You,” among others. During the course of his 60-year career in music, Robinson has accumulated more than 4,000 songs to his credit and continues to thrill sold-out audiences around the world with his high tenor voice, impeccable timing, and profound sense of lyric. Never resting on his laurels, Smokey Robinson remains a beloved icon in our musical heritage.