Smokey Robinson Makes Hollywood Bowl Debut, 7/14

Smokey Robinson makes his Hollywood Bowl debut on July 14th at 8pm. Celebrating his 50th anniversary in the music business, Robinson will perform songs from his latest CD Time Flies When You're Having Fun, to be released August 25th. As well, he'ss perform such signature hits such as "Tears of a Clown," "Tracks of My Tears," "I Second That Emotion," and more. Jazz singer/songwriter Lizz Wright sets the tone for the evening with songs from her soulful repertoire.

Tickets are on sale now at HollywoodBowl.com, at the Hollywood Bowl Box Office (12pm - 6pm, Tues. - Sun.), via credit card phone order at 323.850.2000, or through Ticketmaster. Groups of 10 or more may call 323.850.2050 for information about special rates, subject to availability.

Given his legendary status in pop culture and his ever-personable nature, it's no surprise that Smokey Robinson is not only still recording quality music as he celebrates 50 years in the music industry, but attracting top-notch talent to collaborate with as well. After all, this is the same singer/songwriter/producer/record executive who logged a hefty 37 Top 40 hits for Motown Records between 1960 and 1987. In fact, from "Shop Around" (1st Motown #1 R&B hit/1st Motown million-seller) to "Just To See Her"/"One Heartbeat" (both 1987 Top Ten smashes) Robinson began collecting accolades which never seemed to stop coming over the years.

In addition to being one of Tamla-Motown's first signings (as well as the label's Vice President from 1960 to 1988), Smokey has been the recipient of a Grammy (for 1987's "Just To See Her"), a 1988 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a 1991 recipient of the Soul Train Music Award for Career Achievement, a 1999 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a 2006 Kennedy Center honoree, a recipient of a Doctorate of Music degree from Howard University (2006), a 2009 recipient of an Honorary Doctorate degree from Berkeley College of Music (for whom he also gave the commencement speech), a Songwriter's Hall of Fame honoree and a rare double-honoree of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (as a solo artist & member of The Miracles).

Along the way, he's also amassed the love and respect of his peers, from being lyrically lauded by Bob Dylan (who referred to Robinson as "the world's greatest poet") to being lyrically cited by 80s Brit-pop band ABC (on the smash hit "When Smokey Sings"), the Beatles' George Harrison ("Pure Smokey") and the Tom Tom Club ("Genius of Love"). Visit his website for more information as well as other performance dates: www.smokeyrobinson.com.