It's a sad time for soul music. Last month, two of the Temptations passed away, and now Bobby Rogers of the Miracles has died due to complications stemming from diabetes. He was 73.
His cousin, Claudette Rogers Robinson, said in a statement [via theDetroit News], "My cousin Bobby, who was like a brother to me, lost his battle and succumbed today. He has gone on to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Bobby will be missed and mourned by many."
The Miracles were also known as Smokey Robinson & the Miracles. Although Rogers didn't reach the same level of fame as Robinson, he was instrumental to the group's success and joined the Detroit group a few years before they changed their name to the Miracles. Their 1960 single "Shop Around" was Motown's first-ever chart-topping hit, and Rogers also performed on classic songs like "You've Really Got a Hold on Me," "The Tracks of My Tears" and "The Tears of a Clown."
The Detroit-born Rogers continued to tour with the group for decades, but his health problems forced him into retirement at 2011 and the group disbanded. The Miracles were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012, 25 years after Robinson was inducted as a solo artist.
Rogers was married twice. He is survived by his wife Joan, children Bobbae Rogers, Gina Hughes, Kimberly Hughes and Robert Rogers III, and granddaughter Brandi Williams.
Watch a live performance of "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" below. Rogers is wearing the glasses and is the primary backup vocalist in the clip.
His cousin, Claudette Rogers Robinson, said in a statement [via theDetroit News], "My cousin Bobby, who was like a brother to me, lost his battle and succumbed today. He has gone on to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Bobby will be missed and mourned by many."
The Miracles were also known as Smokey Robinson & the Miracles. Although Rogers didn't reach the same level of fame as Robinson, he was instrumental to the group's success and joined the Detroit group a few years before they changed their name to the Miracles. Their 1960 single "Shop Around" was Motown's first-ever chart-topping hit, and Rogers also performed on classic songs like "You've Really Got a Hold on Me," "The Tracks of My Tears" and "The Tears of a Clown."
The Detroit-born Rogers continued to tour with the group for decades, but his health problems forced him into retirement at 2011 and the group disbanded. The Miracles were inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012, 25 years after Robinson was inducted as a solo artist.
Rogers was married twice. He is survived by his wife Joan, children Bobbae Rogers, Gina Hughes, Kimberly Hughes and Robert Rogers III, and granddaughter Brandi Williams.
Watch a live performance of "You've Really Got a Hold on Me" below. Rogers is wearing the glasses and is the primary backup vocalist in the clip.
