Originally Posted by KENSOFINE

Smokey Robinson was mediocre at best. His best song ever was Quiet Storm, and it still sounds like its missing something.

You absolutely CANNOT put him in the same vein as MASTERFUL song writers like:

Simon and Garfunkel
Stevie Wonder
Paul McCartney
Rod Temperton
Carol King
Joni Mitchell
Maurice White
Gamble and Huff
Ashford and Simpson

Thats just off the top of my head. Where would Smokey fall on this list if you were to rank them in order?
Yes, for his era he was decent...but overall...he is more remembered as a pioneer. His stuff is timeless for a totally different reason than say "Songs in the Key of Life" or "Sgt. Pepper's". Both albums, if released today would sell like hotcakes. Smokey's best material would not.