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brush

(53,871 posts) Thu Aug 16, 2018, 10:29 PM Aug 2018

Smokie Robinson was just on Don Lemon on CNN paying tribute to Aretha Franklin.

He said she was his oldest friend. He knew her since he was eight years old. They grew up in the same neighborhood in Detroit. Smokie also mentioned that Diana Ross lived 4 doors down from him, The Four Tops lived around the corner and The Temptations lived right across Woodward Ave.

Amazing that all that talent came out of such a small area.

7 replies

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Smokie Robinson was just on Don Lemon on CNN paying tribute to Aretha Franklin. (Original Post) brush Aug 2018 OP

"Amazing that all that talent came out of such a small area." mia Aug 2018 #1

The tribute is still going on. Gladys Knight was also on. brush Aug 2018 #3

What great block parties they must have had! dawg day Aug 2018 #2

He's on Lawrence now. I could listen for days. nolabear Aug 2018 #4

the talent was there and Berry Gordy mobilized it. kwassa Aug 2018 #5

sounds like it would have been a fantastic area to grow up in demtenjeep Aug 2018 #6

Why She Was So Upset With the NFL erpowers Aug 2018 #7

mia

(8,362 posts)

1. "Amazing that all that talent came out of such a small area."

Reply to brush (Original post)

Thu Aug 16, 2018, 10:34 PM

Aug 2018

So true! Thanks for your post. Wish I'd seen the interview with Smokie Robinson.

brush

(53,871 posts)

3. The tribute is still going on. Gladys Knight was also on.

Reply to mia (Reply #1)

Thu Aug 16, 2018, 10:37 PM

Aug 2018

dawg day

(7,947 posts)

2. What great block parties they must have had!

Reply to brush (Original post)

Thu Aug 16, 2018, 10:34 PM

Aug 2018

nolabear

(41,991 posts)

4. He's on Lawrence now. I could listen for days.

Reply to brush (Original post)

Thu Aug 16, 2018, 10:50 PM

Aug 2018

I hope her homegoing is broadcast and is as wonderful as she deserves.

kwassa

(23,340 posts)

5. the talent was there and Berry Gordy mobilized it.

Reply to brush (Original post)

Thu Aug 16, 2018, 10:52 PM

Aug 2018

I worked with a guy who as a young boy went to Motown on an elementary school field trip. African-American, must be in his 70s now. They got to see the Temptations record, and he said they were arguing and using profanity in front of these school children, and their teacher was embarrassed.

He also said his aunt was dating a pre-famous Marvin Gaye. Gaye is from DC, not Detroit, but ended up marrying Gordy's sister.

demtenjeep

(31,997 posts)

6. sounds like it would have been a fantastic area to grow up in

Reply to brush (Original post)

Thu Aug 16, 2018, 10:52 PM

Aug 2018

Love them ALL

erpowers

(9,350 posts)

7. Why She Was So Upset With the NFL

Reply to brush (Original post)

Thu Aug 16, 2018, 11:42 PM

Aug 2018

A local radio station pointed out that when the Super Bowl was played in Detroit a few years ago Aretha Franklin criticized the NFL for booking the Rolling Stones to do the half time show instead of a Detroit artist. Now we know why was so upset with the NFL when they had the Super Bowl in Detroit and did not ask anyone from Detroit to perform at the halftime show. I guess the NFL thought Super Bowl viewers would not be interested in a Detroit act, but there is/was too much talent in that city for the NFL not to have tapped a local artist to do the half time show.

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