Bobbie Smith (Spinners lead singer) 1936-2013

[Rob Durkee]

Bobbie Smith, the former lead singer of the Spinners, died Saturday (March 16, 2013) in Orlando. He was 76. He’d been suffering lung cancer, influenza and pneumonia. Henry Fambrough is the only surviving original member of the Spinners.

The Spinners had over 30 pop hits and 40 R&B hits in a chart span of 34 years (1961-1995). The group’s only #1 pop hit came in 1974, and it contained a bit of an oddity. Neither the Spinners nor their duet partner, Dionne Warwicke, were ever able to have a #1 pop hit on their own…but they did hit the top together on “Then Came You.”

Among the many hits Smith sang lead on for the Spinners were their breakthough hit in 1961, “That’s What Girls Are Made For,” along with “Then Came You,” “I’ll Be Around,” They Just Can’t Stop It (Games People Play)” and THIS, my favorite Spinners’ hit…

www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU4UTDrSwQc

Oh, here it is live…

www.youtube.com/watch?v=dln3ifkCfXs

[1finemrg]

The Spinners first hooked me with their Stevie Wonder's co-written and produced "It's A Shame" during their stay at Motown.

I really loved their self-titled Atlantic album. During that time it was common to have 2 or maybe 3 top 40 hits spun off from an album. From their initial Atlantic album, 4 singles were released and all hit the top 40. "I'll Be Around" and "Could It Be I'm Falling In Love" went top
5. "One Of A Kind (Love Affair)" just missed the top 10, and "Ghetto Child" snuck into the top 30. Also kudos to Thom Bell, producer and occasional co-writer of many of their hits.

RIP Bobbie. It's vocals, harmonies, and showmanship of bands like the Spinners that are some of the elements which makes music of that era special.

[Deleted]

Rest in peace Bobby.



The Detroit soul group singer, who died of complications from pneumonia and influenza, had a memorable tenor voice that helped the group half a dozen Grammys. NBC’s Brian Williams reports. www.nbcnews.com/video/nightly-news/51233061/#51233061

My favorite hit by The Spinners...


The Rock Hall truly is a piss stain on society and Wenner thought that The Sex Pistols were just joking, this will be an epidemic for them with all the legends dying off before their respective inductions, I do not feel sorry about these idiots one bit, you dug your hole now lie in it bastards!

[mrjukebox]

The Spinners were a superb group-I would like to see them inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame but I seriously doubt that will happen.

[Deleted]

Mar 20, 2013 20:15:38 GMT -5 mrjukebox said:

The Spinners were a superb group-I would like to see them inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame but I seriously doubt that will happen.

Well they were nominated in 2011 for 2012, so that's a start.