Wow! What can I say about
Bobby Smith and the Spinners amazing, wonderful and incredible?
Growing up listening to the Spinners and seeing them in concert was
one of my fondest memories. I remember seeing the Spinners at the
Circle Star Theater in San Carlos California in 1978. My best friend
got tickets for her birthday. The Spinners put on an amazing show
Bobby Smith was the lead singer. That was one great concert.
Ok, now for all you who
don’t know about Bobby Smith and “The Spinners” let me tell
you. Well the Bobby Smith and his other group members grew up in
Detroit area. Bobby Smith was the main lead singer since the group
started. He sung lead vocals on The Spinners first hit record "That's
What Girls Are Made For" in 1961. Smith also sang lead for
Motown’s material during the 1960s, songs that made the charts like
"Truly Yours" and "I'll Always Love You". He also
sang lead on some of “The Spinners biggest hits, "I'll Be
Around", "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love", "They
Just Can't Stop It the (Games People Play)", “One of a Kind
(Love Affair)”, “Then Came You” and “Games People Play”.
Bobby Smith didn’t get credit for the group’s success even though
he sang lead on most of “The Spinners” hits. The group’s
success was credited to the late Philippe Wynne the other lead
singer. Bobby Smith sunrise was on April 10, 1936 and his sunset was
on March 16, 2013. He passed away from complications of lung cancer.
Bobby Smith’s voice will live on through the songs he sang. Thanks
for the lovely music. R.I.P.
LM
Great tribute to Bobby Smith's contributions to the Spinners; unfortunately, you've added to the confusion of who sang lead on what Spinners' songs.
ReplyDeleteBobby did NOT sing the lead on One Of A Kind (Love Affair); that was Philippe Wynne, save for two lines Bobby added (I never thought about today would come/She wrote a line or two upon the wall.)
Also overlooked is the fact that Bobby and Philippe SHARED leads on many Spinners' songs, excluding the ones where Wynne sang most, if not ALL of the lead (Sadie, Rubberband Man, Love Don't Love Nobody, How Could I Let You Get Away, and One Of A Kind Love Affair.)
Also, let's not forget the great Henry Fambrough, the sole surviving original member. Henry sang leads as well, including the Spinners' classics I Don't Want To Lose You, And Living A Little, Laughing A Little, (on which Henry shared lead with Wynne) so this revisionist history I'm seeing which says that Bobby sang lead on "most" Spinners' hits is simply inaccurate. He sang his share, just as the others. Point is, they were ALL great, no one outshining the rest.
R.I.P Bobby (and Philippe, Billy, and Pervis) and long live Henry.