A High-Vibration Feature by Michael Adam Cohen: Smokey Robinson, The Legacy That Lights the Stage

I first stepped into Smokey Robinson’s orbit, at the Pechanga Indian Casino on October 17, 2014. That night, he delivered Being With You, enveloping the audience in warmth and emotion that seemed to ripple from stage to soul. Midway through the performance came an unforgettable moment — umbrellas twirling under stage lights as Smokey and Karrie Benoit-Morales improvised a dance, laughter and music blending into choreography on the fly. It wasn’t raining indoors, of course. It was a symbol — the transformation of the simplest prop into a metaphor for joy, resilience, and connection. As Smokey Robinson would say, "Magic isn’t scripted; it happens in real time, in connection.” (Image below: Smokey Robinson and Karrie Benoit-Morales, provided by Michael Adam Cohen)

That night became a portal. Through the invitation of saxophonist and arranger Andrew Neu, I wasn’t simply there to photograph; I was there to document the living legacy of an icon in motion. Backstage, Andrew’s saxophone introductions gave way to laughter among bandmates, candid exchanges, and moments of artistry threaded with playfulness. It was a universe where genius met generosity. From there, doors opened: the Grammys honouring Smokey and Berry Gordy, the vast desert energy of Stagecoach, the nostalgia of the Orange County Fairgrounds, Pala Casino during a minor hurricane, and warm nights in Cancun where music blurred into friendship. I even found myself at glittering Vanity Fair parties, where Smokey carried the same authenticity as he did in quiet green rooms.

Through it all, one constant emerged: his humanity. Whether standing before thunderous applause in a packed arena or sharing a quiet joke backstage, Smokey radiated empathy, appreciation, and joy. It was in this spirit that I finally sat down with him for a conversation — not simply about music, but about life, love, legacy, and the resonance of soul. (Image below provided by Michael Adam Cohen. Michael Adam Cohen with Smokey Robinson)

Sitting with Smokey Robinson now feels like stepping into a time machine. His voice is more than melody; it carries decades of history, emotion, and artistry. In the present moment, what resonates most is not the legend but the man, grounded and reflective.

“Detroit in the late ’50s and early ’60s was alive,” he recalls. “Streets full of stories, full of music. People were trying to survive, trying to dream. And Motown — Berry Gordy’s vision — he captured that energy. He gave people hope, direction, opportunity. I remember the first time we stepped into that little recording studio; it smelled like paint and ambition. We didn’t know it at the time, but we were building something that would echo for generations. That feeling, that electricity in the air, it’s unforgettable.” (Image below provided by Michael Adam Cohen. Smokey Robinson with Sherry Gordy, daughter of Berry Gordy at Dream Awards 2024)

That electricity found its way into the music — songs that have become part of the fabric of people’s lives. When asked if he knew The Tracks of My Tears or Being With You would endure across generations, his answer is disarmingly simple.

“Not at all. I was just trying to make sense of my own heart, to give shape to feelings. Love, longing, heartbreak, hope — they’re universal. I wrote to understand myself, and if someone else understood themselves through my songs, that was a gift. Honestly, I never imagined the impact, the way people would carry those songs into their lives, their weddings, their quiet nights alone, their celebrations. It’s humbling.” (Image below provided by Michael Adam Cohen, from left to right: Johnny Gil, Jefferey Osborne and Smokey Robinson at Dream Awards 2024 in Las Vegas)

Humility is woven into his every word. Yet his influence is undeniable, and he readily credits Berry Gordy for shaping not just the sound but the people of Motown. “Berry was exacting, but with love and vision. He demanded excellence, not for ego, but because he saw what we could be. He would push us, sometimes hard, sometimes gently. I remember rehearsals where he’d stop us mid-note, saying, ‘Smokey, feel it in your soul. Not your throat, not your mind — your soul.’ And in that moment, it wasn’t criticism, it was guidance. That’s a lesson I carry into every interaction, every performance, every day.” (Image below provided by Michael Adam Cohen, Demetrios Pappas - pianist and musical director with Smokey Robinson at The Rady Shell Jacob Park August 2025)

That philosophy breathes life into his concerts, making each one feel intimate. “I listen. I watch. I breathe with the audience. I let their energy inform me. Sometimes a song will land differently with a room full of people than it does in rehearsal. Some nights, tears, laughter, and applause blend together, and suddenly, it’s not me performing — it’s a shared experience. Music is a conversation, not a monologue.” (Image below provided by Michael Adam Cohen, Tony Lewis - drummer with Smokey Robinson at The Rady Shell Jacob Park August 2025)

His philosophy of life echoes his music. “Life is like music — you have verses, choruses, bridges. Some parts are smooth, some chaotic. If you resist the rhythm, you miss the beauty. Improvise, harmonise with the world, and let life sing through you. That’s the core of artistry, the core of living.”

 His voice, timeless and instantly recognisable, has been preserved with discipline and devotion. “A mixture of care, discipline, and love. Rest when I can, exercises, staying hydrated, avoiding harshness — all practical. But the heart of it is love. You have to love your music, love the people, love the process. Passion fuels longevity. Faith fuels perspective. And authenticity fuels connection. That combination keeps the voice, and the soul behind it, alive.” (Image below provided by Michael Adam Cohen, Robert Boogie Bowles - guitarist with Smokey Robinson at The Rady Shell Jacob Park August 2025)

That authenticity inspires generations, and Smokey admires the fearlessness of today’s artists. “They experiment, blend genres, express vulnerability. I see them and I remember the courage it takes to create. They remind me that music is alive, that it evolves, that it must. And it keeps me inspired — I learn from them as much as they learn from me.”

Mentorship has been central to his journey, and he carries that responsibility with grace. “Anyone willing to listen and be honest with themselves. I try to impart not just techniques or strategies, but philosophy, that music is about emotion, about humanity. If they carry that forward, the ripple effect is the true legacy.” (Image below provided by Michael Adam Cohen, Gary Foote with Smokey Robinson at The Rady Shell Jacob Park August 2025)

And legacy itself? He sums it up in one line: “Leave it alive in others. Every note, every memory, every smile — make it live beyond you. That’s the essence of all I’ve done.” (Image below provided by Michael Adam Cohen, from left to right: Lionel Richie and Smokey Robinson)

Across decades, Smokey has lived through civil rights, cultural shifts, and seismic industry changes. “With humility, gratitude, and awe. Music carried messages, comforted souls, built bridges. Being part of that — shaping culture while being shaped by it — it’s humbling. And it reminds me: our voices, literal and metaphorical, have power. Use them wisely. Use them authentically.”

The weight of his influence becomes most vivid in his connection with fans. “Too many moments stand out. But one sticks: a small theatre, Ohio, early 2000s. I sang You Really Got a Hold on Me. One woman held her granddaughter, crying softly. Their shared emotion — decades of memory, love, loss — carried across the room. That’s more than applause. That’s immortality. That’s why we do this.”

For Smokey, universality lies in writing from the heart. “Heartbreak, joy, longing, hope — these are constants. If you capture emotion authentically, it transcends time, place, generation. That’s why songs endure. That’s why they heal.”

Even now, reinvention fuels him. “Listen. Adapt. Explore without forcing. Preserve the soul, push the edges. Stay curious. Stay present. Never stop feeling. That’s the key to timelessness.”

And to dreamers, his advice is luminous: “Believe in your story. Live it fully. Love it fiercely. Share openly. Your song — literal or metaphorical — can heal, inspire, and echo beyond your lifetime. Authenticity is where the magic lives.”

In closing, his words are as simple as they are profound. “Cherish connection. Music, life, love — they’re intertwined. Keep dreaming, keep singing, keep loving. And always leave something alive in others. That’s the true legacy.”

For our readers in France / Pour nos lecteurs et lectrices en France : conformément à notre engagement de transparence, nous confirmons que ces retouches concernent exclusivement l’éclairage et n’impliquent aucune modification des personnes photographiées.