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Bobby Rogers, founding member of the Motown group the Miracles, died yesterday (March 3) in Detroit. He was 73.

The Miracles’ lead singer, Smokey Robinson, has paid tribute to Rogers in a statement:

“Another soldier in my life has fallen. Bobby Rogers was my brother and a really good friend. He and I were born on the exact same day in the same hospital in Detroit. I am really going to miss him. I loved him very much.”

Rogers began performing in high school in 1955 as a member of the Five Chimes. After a brief period performing as The Matadors, the group settled on the name The Miracles in 1958. The line-up included his cousin Claudette Rogers, who would later become Claudette Robinson after marrying Smokey. She told the Detroit Press today:

“People always commented on the tall one with the glasses. He was personable, approachable and he loved talking to the women, loved talking to the guys, loved to dance, loved to sing, loved to perform. That was the joy of his life.”

Bobby Rogers (bottom row, left) with The Miracles

The Miracles’ big break came in 1959 when they signed with Berry Gordy Jr’s Tamla Records. They would go on to have a string of classic hits, including the label’s first million seller “Shop Around,” “Tracks of My Tears,” “Tears of a Clown,” Going to a Go-Go,” and “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me”. The latter features Bobby Rogers very prominently singing two-part harmony with Robinson.

The Miracles – “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me”

Rogers was also a talented songwriter, collaborating with Robinson on a number of tracks, including The Miracles’ “Going to a Go-Go,” The Contours’ “First I Look at the Purse,” The Temptations’ “The Way You Do the Things You Do” and “My Baby,” Marvin Gaye’s “One More Heartache,” and Mary Wells’ “Love Has Joined Us Together”.

In 2009, Rogers and his fellow members of The Miracles received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Last year saw the group inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Rogers is survived by his wife, Joan; children Bobbae Rogers, Gina Hughes, Kimberly Hughes and Robert Rogers III; and granddaughter Brandi Williams, who is a member of the group Blaque.

Related item:
Song of the Week #73 – “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me”