Pete Moore
Encyclopedia
Pete Moore is an African American
soul
singer, record producer, and songwriter
, notable as the bass
singer for Motown group The Miracles
from 1955 onwards, and is one of the group's original members. A childhood friend of Miracles lead singer Smokey Robinson
, the two first met at a musical event given by the Detroit Public School system, where Pete spotted Smokey singing as part of the show. The two became friends, and decided to form a singing group, which eventually became The Miracles. Besides his work in The Miracles, Moore is also notable for having helped Miracles member Smokey Robinson
write
several hit song
s, including The Temptations
' "It's Growing
" and "Since I Lost My Baby
", and two of Marvin Gaye's biggest hits, the Top 10 million sellers," Ain't That Peculiar
", and "I'll Be Doggone
".
Moore also co-wrote several of The Miracles' own hits. These included "Ooo Baby Baby
" (1965), the million-selling Grammy Hall of Fame Inductee" The Tracks Of My Tears
" (also 1965), for which he won the ASCAP Award Of Merit, 1966's "Going to a Go-Go
"(where he came up with the song's initial percussion sequence), and the multi-million selling #1 Pop smash, "Love Machine
" (co-written with Miracles' member Billy Griffin
) and the platinum
album
from which it came, City of Angels
, among others. The song "Overture" from that album,also co-written by Moore and Billy Griffin
, was used as the official theme on Radio Monte Carlo in France from 1978 to 1979. Moore also sung co-lead on a few recordings as well, such as "I Love Your Baby" and the groups' Billboard
Top 40 hit "Doggone Right
".Pete is also an accomplished producer, having produced several hit songs, including The Miracles' 1965 R&B chart hit, Choosey Beggar
, their 1969 hit, Here I Go Again
,the group's million-selling Top 10 hit, Baby Baby Don't Cry (also 1969), and the aforementioned City Of Angels album, along with albums by Marvin Gaye
, and The Supremes
.
In late 2006, Moore re-united with original Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Bobby Rogers
for the group's first - ever extended interview on the Motown DVD release, "Smokey Robinson & The Miracles : The Definitive Performances".In this interview, Pete revealed for the first time that he was , for years, the group's uncredited vocal arranger. The second most prolific songwriter in The Miracles after Robinson himself, Pete's compositions have been recorded by Marvin Gaye
, Debbie Boone, Linda Ronstadt
, George Michael
, The Rolling Stones
, Aretha Franklin
, Ramsey Lewis
, Tom Jones
, Luther Vandross
, Michael Jackson
, The Temptations
, and The Four Tops .
He is not to be mistaken as Pete Moore
the composer
of the Pearl & Dean
theme song, "Asteroid
" which was created by an altogether different Pete Moore
, a London
born composer and arranger. Today, Pete is owner and CEO of his own Las Vegas-based entertainment firm, WBMM Enterprises.
is the only member of The Miracles to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Controversially, Pete, and the other original Miracles—Bobby Rogers
, Ronnie White, Claudette Robinson, and Marv Tarplin
—have not been inducted, for unknown reasons.
In 2007 Pete reunited on stage with original Miracles Bobby Rogers, Claudette Robinson, and Smokey Robinson to celebrate the group's 50th anniversary. On March 20, 2009, Pete was on hand to be honored with the rest of the group when The Miracles received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
.
award for songwriting.
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
singer, record producer, and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, notable as the bass
Bass (voice type)
A bass is a type of male singing voice and possesses the lowest vocal range of all voice types. According to The New Grove Dictionary of Opera, a bass is typically classified as having a range extending from around the second E below middle C to the E above middle C...
singer for Motown group The Miracles
The Miracles
The Miracles are an American rhythm and blues group from Detroit, Michigan, notable as the first successful group act for Berry Gordy's Motown Record Corporation . Their single "Shop Around" was Motown's first million-selling hit record, and the group went on to become one of Motown's signature...
from 1955 onwards, and is one of the group's original members. A childhood friend of Miracles lead singer Smokey Robinson
Smokey Robinson
William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
, the two first met at a musical event given by the Detroit Public School system, where Pete spotted Smokey singing as part of the show. The two became friends, and decided to form a singing group, which eventually became The Miracles. Besides his work in The Miracles, Moore is also notable for having helped Miracles member Smokey Robinson
Smokey Robinson
William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
write
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
several hit song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
s, including The Temptations
The Temptations
The Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,...
' "It's Growing
It's Growing
"It's Growing" is a 1965 hit single by The Temptations for the Gordy label. Written by Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Pete Moore and produced by Robinson, the song was a top 20 pop single on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, on which it peaked at number 18...
" and "Since I Lost My Baby
Since I Lost My Baby
"Since I Lost My Baby" is a 1965 hit single recorded by The Temptations for the Motown Records' Gordy label. Written by Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Pete Moore and produced by Robinson, the song was a top 20 pop single on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, on which it peaked at...
", and two of Marvin Gaye's biggest hits, the Top 10 million sellers," Ain't That Peculiar
Ain't That Peculiar
"Ain't That Peculiar" is a 1965 song recorded by American soul musician Marvin Gaye for the Tamla label. The single was produced by Smokey Robinson, and written by Robinson, and fellow Miracles members Ronald White, Pete Moore, and Marv Tarplin...
", and "I'll Be Doggone
I'll Be Doggone
"I'll Be Doggone" is a 1965 song recorded by American soul singer Marvin Gaye and released on the Tamla label. The song talks about how a man tells his woman that he'll be "doggone" about simple things but if she did him wrong that he'd be "long gone"....
".
Moore also co-wrote several of The Miracles' own hits. These included "Ooo Baby Baby
Ooo Baby Baby
"Ooo Baby Baby" is a 1965 hit single by The Miracles for the Tamla label, today considered the group's signature song. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked the song #262 on their list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time....
" (1965), the million-selling Grammy Hall of Fame Inductee" The Tracks Of My Tears
The Tracks of My Tears
"The Tracks of My Tears" is a much recorded love ballad introduced in 1965 by The Miracles on Motown's' Tamla label. This song is considered to be among the finest recordings of The Miracles, and it sold over one million records within two years, making it The Miracles' fourth million-selling...
" (also 1965), for which he won the ASCAP Award Of Merit, 1966's "Going to a Go-Go
Going to a Go-Go (song)
"Going to a Go-Go" is a 1965 single recorded by The Miracles for Motown's Tamla label. Issued in December 1965, "Going to a Go-Go" peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States the following spring...
"(where he came up with the song's initial percussion sequence), and the multi-million selling #1 Pop smash, "Love Machine
Love Machine (The Miracles song)
"Love Machine" is a 1976 number-one single recorded by Motown group The Miracles, taken from their album City of Angels. This single was one of two Billboard Hot 100 Top 40 hits recorded by The Miracles with Billy Griffin as lead vocalist; the other is 1973's "Do It Baby". Griffin had replaced...
" (co-written with Miracles' member Billy Griffin
Billy Griffin
Billy Griffin is an American singer and songwriter. He is best known for replacing Smokey Robinson as lead singer of The Miracles in 1972.-Biography:...
) and the platinum
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
from which it came, City of Angels
City of Angels (album)
City of Angels is an album by the Motown soul group The Miracles, released on Motown Records' Tamla label in September 1975. The group's fourth album recorded after replacing lead singer Smokey Robinson with Billy Griffin in 1972, City of Angels is a concept album, depicting of a man from "Anytown,...
, among others. The song "Overture" from that album,also co-written by Moore and Billy Griffin
Billy Griffin
Billy Griffin is an American singer and songwriter. He is best known for replacing Smokey Robinson as lead singer of The Miracles in 1972.-Biography:...
, was used as the official theme on Radio Monte Carlo in France from 1978 to 1979. Moore also sung co-lead on a few recordings as well, such as "I Love Your Baby" and the groups' Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
Top 40 hit "Doggone Right
Doggone Right
"Doggone Right" is a 1969 single recorded by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles for the Tamla label. Written by Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Marv Tarplin along with Motown staff songwriter Al Cleveland and produced by Robinson, the single peaked at number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the...
".Pete is also an accomplished producer, having produced several hit songs, including The Miracles' 1965 R&B chart hit, Choosey Beggar
Choosey Beggar
"Choosey Beggar" was a 1965 song recorded by Motown R&B group The Miracles on its Tamla label subsidiary. It was issued as the B-side of the group's top-20 million-selling single, "Going to a Go-Go", and was taken from the group's Billboard Top 10 Pop album of the same name.Written by Miracles...
, their 1969 hit, Here I Go Again
Here I Go Again (Miracles song)
"Here I Go Again" was a 1969 hit single by The Miracles on Motown Records' Tamla label subsidiary. It was taken from their top-25 Pop album Time Out for Smokey Robinson & The Miracles from that year, and was the flip side of their hit single, "Doggone Right"...
,the group's million-selling Top 10 hit, Baby Baby Don't Cry (also 1969), and the aforementioned City Of Angels album, along with albums by Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
, and The Supremes
The Supremes
The Supremes, an American female singing group, were the premier act of Motown Records during the 1960s.Originally founded as The Primettes in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959, The Supremes' repertoire included doo-wop, pop, soul, Broadway show tunes, psychedelic soul, and disco...
.
In late 2006, Moore re-united with original Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Bobby Rogers
Bobby Rogers
Bobby Rogers is an American soul singer and songwriter, notable as a member of Motown Records' first signed act and first million selling group The Miracles from 1956 to present. He is also the grandfather of R&B singer Brandi Williams from R&B girl group Blaque-Life:Rogers is the son of the late...
for the group's first - ever extended interview on the Motown DVD release, "Smokey Robinson & The Miracles : The Definitive Performances".In this interview, Pete revealed for the first time that he was , for years, the group's uncredited vocal arranger. The second most prolific songwriter in The Miracles after Robinson himself, Pete's compositions have been recorded by Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
, Debbie Boone, Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt
Linda Ronstadt is an American popular music recording artist. She has earned eleven Grammy Awards, two Academy of Country Music awards, an Emmy Award, an ALMA Award, numerous United States and internationally certified gold, platinum and multiplatinum albums, in addition to Tony Award and Golden...
, George Michael
George Michael
George Michael is a British musician, singer, songwriter and record producer who rose to fame in the 1980s when he formed the pop duo Wham! with his school friend, Andrew Ridgeley...
, The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
, Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All...
, Ramsey Lewis
Ramsey Lewis
Ramsey Emmanuel Lewis, Jr. is an American jazz composer, pianist and radio personality. Ramsey Lewis has recorded over 80 albums and has received seven gold records and three Grammy Awards so far in his career.-Biography:...
, Tom Jones
Tom Jones (singer)
Sir Thomas John Woodward, OBE , known by his stage name Tom Jones, is a Welsh singer.Since the mid 1960s, Jones has sung many styles of popular music – pop, rock, R&B, show tunes, country, dance, techno, soul and gospel – and sold over 100 million records...
, Luther Vandross
Luther Vandross
Luther Ronzoni Vandross was an American singer-songwriter and record producer. During his career, Vandross sold over twenty-five million albums and won eight Grammy Awards including Best Male R&B Vocal Performance four times...
, Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
, The Temptations
The Temptations
The Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,...
, and The Four Tops .
He is not to be mistaken as Pete Moore
Pete Moore (composer)
Pete Moore, born in London,England, is a British composer and arranger for a string of famous artistes since the 1950/60s.Beginning in 1958, he worked with such greats as Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Peggy Lee, Frankie Laine, Connie Francis and Peter Sellers, amongst others, on all manner...
the composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
of the Pearl & Dean
Pearl & Dean
Pearl & Dean is primarily known as a British cinema advertising company. It was founded in 1953 by brothers Ernie and Charles Pearl, and Bob Dean....
theme song, "Asteroid
Asteroid (disambiguation)
Asteroid or Asteroids may refer to:*Asteroid, the astronomical object; this is the primary definition. Specific variants include the following:** Amor asteroid** Apollo asteroid** Apohele asteroid** Arjuna asteroid** Aten asteroid** Binary asteroid...
" which was created by an altogether different Pete Moore
Pete Moore (composer)
Pete Moore, born in London,England, is a British composer and arranger for a string of famous artistes since the 1950/60s.Beginning in 1958, he worked with such greats as Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Peggy Lee, Frankie Laine, Connie Francis and Peter Sellers, amongst others, on all manner...
, a London
born composer and arranger. Today, Pete is owner and CEO of his own Las Vegas-based entertainment firm, WBMM Enterprises.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame controversy
As of 2009, Miracles lead singer Smokey RobinsonSmokey Robinson
William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
is the only member of The Miracles to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Controversially, Pete, and the other original Miracles—Bobby Rogers
Bobby Rogers
Bobby Rogers is an American soul singer and songwriter, notable as a member of Motown Records' first signed act and first million selling group The Miracles from 1956 to present. He is also the grandfather of R&B singer Brandi Williams from R&B girl group Blaque-Life:Rogers is the son of the late...
, Ronnie White, Claudette Robinson, and Marv Tarplin
Marv Tarplin
Marvin "Marv" Tarplin was an American guitarist and songwriter, best known as the guitarist for The Miracles from the 1950s through the early 1970s. He was one of the group's original members and co-wrote several of their biggest hits, including the 2007 Grammy Hall Of Fame inducted "The Tracks...
—have not been inducted, for unknown reasons.
In 2007 Pete reunited on stage with original Miracles Bobby Rogers, Claudette Robinson, and Smokey Robinson to celebrate the group's 50th anniversary. On March 20, 2009, Pete was on hand to be honored with the rest of the group when The Miracles received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Hollywood Walk of Fame consists of more than 2,400 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along fifteen blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, California...
.
Awards
Moore has been a 4 time winner of the BMIBroadcast Music Incorporated
Broadcast Music, Inc. is one of three United States performing rights organizations, along with ASCAP and SESAC. It collects license fees on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed...
award for songwriting.
- Moore has also been awarded by the American Society of Composers,Authors,and Publishers (ASCAP) for co- composing The Tracks Of My TearsThe Tracks of My Tears"The Tracks of My Tears" is a much recorded love ballad introduced in 1965 by The Miracles on Motown's' Tamla label. This song is considered to be among the finest recordings of The Miracles, and it sold over one million records within two years, making it The Miracles' fourth million-selling...
with fellow Miracles Marv TarplinMarv TarplinMarvin "Marv" Tarplin was an American guitarist and songwriter, best known as the guitarist for The Miracles from the 1950s through the early 1970s. He was one of the group's original members and co-wrote several of their biggest hits, including the 2007 Grammy Hall Of Fame inducted "The Tracks...
and Smokey RobinsonSmokey RobinsonWilliam "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
(see Reference). - Moore was also honored with the other Miracles when the group received a star on The Hollywood Walk Of Fame in early 2009.
- EbonyEbony (magazine)Ebony, a monthly magazine for the African-American market, was founded by John H. Johnson and has published continuously since the autumn of 1945...
, October 1971, pg 169) - Pete Moore of THE MIRACLES: Awards
External links
- A Classic shot of The Miracles, circa 1965. Pete Moore, second from left.
- Miracles Pete Moore(right), and Smokey Robinson (left) at the group's honoring on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, 3/20/2009.
- Pete Moore (2nd from left) being honored with the other Miracles,Smokey,Claudette, and Bobby,as the group received their star on The Hollywood Walk Of Fame on March 20, 2009
- Songs Written by Pete Moore list with song positions and chart dates
