Claudette Annette Rogers Robinson

As an original member of The Miracles, the first act to sign with Berry Gordy’s Tamla/Motown Records, Claudette Robinson was also the iconic label’s very first female artist. In 1960, The Miracles’ “Shop Around” became Tamla/Motown’s first million-seller, prompting Mr. Gordy to bestow a special official title on Claudette – The First Lady of Motown. 

Claudette sang with several female groups including the Matadorettes before joining their brother group, The Matadors with William “Smokey” Robinson. Claudette and her new group mates William “Smokey” Robinson, Warren “Pete” Moore, Ronald “Ronnie” White, and Robert “Bobby” Rogers would become The Miracles. Their first Tamla single, “Got A Job,” was released on February 19, 1958. 

Claudette Robinson wearing a Miracles Sweatshirt
Claudette Robinson Exhibit at the Motown Museum - November 2024

 

During The Miracles’ six-decade career, the group has sold more than 60 million records to date.  Four Miracles hits — “The Tracks of My Tears,” “Ooo Baby Baby,” “Shop Around,”  and “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me”– have been selected by the National Recording Preservation Board for the United States Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry and have been inducted into the GRAMMY® Hall of Fame.

In 2009, The Miracles were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. As Motown founder Berry Gordy stood at the dedication ceremony podium, he said, “Without The Miracles, there would be no Motown.”  

In 2012, The Miracles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Other prestigious honors include the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, ranking #32 in Rolling Stone’s definitive music icons list, “The Immortals” and placing in Billboard’s “100 Greatest Artists of All Time.”

Ms. Robinson has been awarded a Resolution by The City Council of Los Angeles, honored with a National Treasure Award, a Living Legend Award, and received a key to the city of Detroit. She shared pieces from her private collection with the GRAMMY Museum’s year long Miracles exhibit in Los Angeles, California and currently has an exhibit at the Motown Museum called “Claudette Robinson – A Motown Her-Story”

In 2019, commemorating Motown’s 60th Anniversary celebration, Claudette debuted her first children’s book entitled: CLAUDETTE’S MIRACULOUS MOTOWN ADVENTURE. Claudette’s goal is to inspire and educate children of their music history of the past, so that it will be retained and passed onto future generations.

Claudette has enjoyed the wonders of motherhood as a mother of two, (Berry and Tamla),  and grandmother of three, (Lyric, Thomas, and Alexis). 

Claudette serves The Joy Community Outreach to End Homelessness, has been a member of the Beverly Hills West Links Chapter of California for 25 years, and served on the Maple Center Community Counseling Center where she served on the Board of Governors. A devoted mother, and grandmother, Claudette Robinson remains a Christian woman of strength who is an inspiration to family, friends, and fans.

The Miracles on display at the Motown Exhibit inside the LBJ Library