Bobby Rogers (1940 – 2013)

Bobby Rogers, one of the co-founders of The Miracles passed away after a lengthy illness. Rogers, along with Smokey Robinson, cousin Claudette Rogers, Pete Moore and Ronnie White, formed The Miracles while they were all teenagers. The Miracles were the first breakout stars for Motown when their song ‘Shop Around’ became a Top 5 hit in 1960. The Miracles would end up with Miracles recorded over 50 chart hits,including 26 that reached the Top 40, 16 Top 20 hits, 7 Top 10 hits and two that reached #1 before they disbanded in 1978. In 2012, The Miracles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame. Rogers also co-wrote notable songs with Robinson including The Contours’, ‘First I Look At The Purse’, ‘The Way You Do The Things You Do’ for The Temptations, and ‘Going To A Go-Go’ for The Miracles. Rogers’ voice is also featured at the beginning of the Marvin Gaye classic ‘What’s Goin’ On’ (he’s the one saying ‘It’s just a groovy party, man, I can dig it’.

In a statement, Smokey Robinson commented, “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.”

Bobby Rogers was 73.