MAA News) – At about 6:30am (Detroit time) Sunday, after a long illness, Bobby Rogers of Smokey Robinson & the Miracles died at his Detroit suburban home, he was 73 years old.
Rogers joined the pre-Miracles group The Matadors in the 1957. The group auditioned for Jackie Wilson and was turned down. Berry Gordy who was a songwriter for Wilson pursued the rejected group and later managed, produced, recorded and changed their name to ‘The Miracles’ and went on to build the Motown labe .
Rogers along with the rest of the Miracles garnered a series of hits for the company (“Shop Around,” “Tears Of A Clown,” “Mickey’s Monkey,” and many more).
On December 18, 1963 Rogers married one of the lead singers of the Motown group The Marvelettes, Wanda Young. They had several children together and divorced in 1975 after twelve years of marriage. In 1981 Rogers married Joan Hughes on his birthday.
Billy Wilson founder of the Motown Alumni Association said.“Bobby & Joan were beautiful people; I’m proud to say I am a friend. We love them very much, and I will miss Bobby.”
Up until his death, Rogers was bed ridden in recent years, and cared for by his wife of 31 years Joan in their Detroit suburban home. Funeral arrangements were not available at this time.
