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Smokey Robinson
Brought Motown
To Northfield Park

June 29. 2026

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Motown legend and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Smokey Robinson made an appearance a Northfield Park on Sunday night and proceeded to put on one of the best shows of the year.

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The spry 86 year old looks fantastic, moves great and most importantly, still has his silky smooth voice that has been making women swoon for decades. 

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This concert was a stark contrast to Paul Simon's show earlier in the week.  Simon, who is 84 is a legend that has a thinning voice and moves like an older gentlemen.  Smokey on the other hand, still has the looks, the moves and voice of a man half his age.

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Smokey got things going right from the start by opening with his #2 smash hit "Being With You."  Then proceeded to play two bangers from The Miracles "I Second That Emotion" and "You Really Got A Hold On Me."

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Backed by an incredible band that included a string quartet and two back up singers, Robinson noted that he is celebrating he 50th Anniversary of his solo record A Quiet Storm and proceed to play the title track and "The Agony and the Ecstasy" from that album.

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Then it was time for a Motown history lesson.  Smokey told the audience how great it was growing up in Detroit and helping create Motown.  He said it was like family and everybody worked together.  He said that you could see the likes of The Temptations, The Four Tops, Martha and the Vandellas, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, Stevie Wonder and The Miracles "all on the same bill for a buck fifty!"  He then went on to say that he was happy to write songs for The Temptations that went on to become hits.

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He then played a trio of Temptations songs that were written by him that included "The Way You Do The Things You Do," "Get Ready" and "My Girl." 

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After "Ohh, Baby Baby" Robinson treated the audience to an impromptu, acapella version of The Miracles hit "More Love" that was later covered by Kim Carnes.

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Some newer songs from his most recent album, Gasms were also sprinkled throughout his set.  However, it was tunes from his Miracles days that most fans wanted to hear.  And of course he obliged by playing "Tears of a Clown" and "Tracks of My Tears" later in the set.

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During the top five hit, "Cruisin'" Smokey brought two fans up on stage and had an old fashioned sing off, to see which side of the audience was louder.

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The show ended with his cover of "Be Thankful For What You've Got."

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Everyone in the audience was surely thankful for all of the music and joy that Smokey Robinson has provided over the years.  I am sure that they were also thankful for the opportunity to see this legend in concert.

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Photos and review by Greg Drugan

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