Robinson

Robinson, in Detroit this week for an event at the Motown Museum, still marvels at the label's incredible legacy. He has two albums in the works.

"That's going to be in my movie, all the people that grew up in this same 'hood," said Robinson in a recent interview. He "came here and we were in Berry's office and he said, 'I came here because I want to record on Motown. I have a speech I'm going to do, "I have a dream," remembers Robinson. "And I want to record it on Motown because you guys are doing what I'm trying to do politically, what I'm trying to do with law. And I still love my job." Robinson said traveling abroad, performing for audiences in which English isn't the primary language, they know "My Girl" the minute the first bars start. As young as 5 years old, he wanted to be a singer, but didn't think it was possible because he grew up on the city's north end. "When I listen to the news now and you can't even imagine how proud I am to hear the newscaster say, 'And here's what's going on today in Motown,'" said Robinson. "That is so strong, that's so powerful that we've had that kind of effect on the world. "I still do concerts. And while Detroit has become synonymous with the name Motown, the reality is it took a bit for Gordy to come up with the "Motown" moniker. So I want to be with you.' I will never forget that day because that is powerful.'" Looking back on where it all started, Robinson says he's still so proud to be part of the Motown Records family. But it did." Or, as Paul McCartney once described Robinson's impact on the early Beatles: "Smokey Robinson was like God in our eyes."