Smokey Robinson, the iconic singer, songwriter and producer, received a unique, music-themed recognition award created by Bennett Awards. The award was presented to Robinson by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as part of their 20th Annual Music Masters Series. Each year, these awards recognize groundbreaking musicians who have helped shaped the evolution of popular music, and whose contributions and stories merit broader recognition.
Robinson’s acclaimed career spans over 4 decades, and he has penned over 4,000 songs. In addition to the Music Masters Award, he has received a number of other accolades, including Grammy Living Legend Award, NARAS Lifetime Achievement Award, Honorary Doctorate (Howard University), Kennedy Center Honors and the National Medal of Arts Award from the President of the United States. Robinson has been inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame. Together with his group the Miracles, Robinson generated 37 Top 40 hits for Motown.
For the 8th year, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame used the Bennett Awards sculpture award “Harmonize”, designed by Tom Bennett, for this Music Masters Award. This unique sculpture is in the form of a stylized musical note. The sculpture is mounted on an engraved round base with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame logo engraved on the top, and the recipient information engraved on the side. Past recipients include Chuck Berry, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Jerry Lee Lewis, Les Paul, Fats Domino, the Everly Brothers, and Dave Bartholomew.
Robinson received his award as part of a special award ceremony and tribute concert held November 7, 2015, at Playhouse Square’s State Theatre in Cleveland, Ohio.