Smokey Robinson is one of the most legendary and influential singers and songwriters in the history of soul music. He is the founder and frontman of the Motown vocal group The Miracles, and the creator of many classic hits, such as “The Tracks of My Tears”, “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me”, and “I Second That Emotion”. He is also a successful solo artist, a prolific voice actor, and a recipient of numerous awards and honors. But is Smokey Robinson passed away? The answer is: no, he is not dead, but alive and well. However, he has been the victim of several death hoaxes and rumors over the years.
The Origin and Spread of the Death Hoax
The death hoax about Smokey Robinson started in 2016, when a fake news website called MSMBC.co published an article claiming that he had died of a heart attack at the age of 76. The article was poorly written and full of grammatical errors, and it used a photo of Robinson from 2009, when he was actually 69. The article also quoted a fake statement from his publicist, and a fake tweet from his friend and fellow Motown legend Stevie Wonder.
The article was quickly debunked by Snopes, a fact-checking website, and by Robinson himself, who posted a video on his official Facebook page, saying that he was alive and well, and that the death hoax was a “cruel joke”. He also thanked his fans for their love and support, and urged them to ignore the false reports.
However, the death hoax did not die down, and it resurfaced several times in the following years, especially on social media platforms, such as Twitter and Facebook. Some users shared the fake news article, while others posted RIP messages and tributes to Robinson, without verifying the source or the date of the article. Some users even confused Robinson with other celebrities who had actually passed away, such as Prince, Muhammad Ali, and David Bowie.
The Impact and Response of the Death Hoax
The death hoax about Smokey Robinson had a negative impact on his fans, friends, and family, who were shocked and saddened by the false news. Some fans expressed their grief and condolences, while others expressed their anger and frustration at the hoaxers and the fake news website. Some fans also expressed their relief and joy when they learned that Robinson was alive and well.
Robinson himself was also affected by the death hoax, and he addressed it several times in his interviews and appearances. He said that he was hurt and disappointed by the hoax, and that he did not understand why someone would do such a thing. He also said that he was grateful for his life and his career, and that he hoped to live for many more years. He also joked that he was “the most alive dead person” he knew.
Robinson also received support and solidarity from his fellow celebrities and musicians, who denounced the death hoax and praised his legacy and achievements. For example, Lionel Richie, who performed with Robinson at the 2016 Grammy Awards, said that he was “honored and blessed” to share the stage with him, and that he was “one of the greatest living legends of our time”. Diana Ross, who was also a Motown star and a friend of Robinson, said that he was “a national treasure” and “a gift to the world”.
Conclusion
Smokey Robinson is one of the most iconic and influential singers and songwriters of all time. He is the founder and frontman of the Motown vocal group The Miracles, and the creator of many classic hits. He is also a successful solo artist, a prolific voice actor, and a recipient of numerous awards and honors. He is not dead, but alive and well. However, he has been the victim of several death hoaxes and rumors over the years, which have caused confusion and distress among his fans, friends, and family. He has also addressed and debunked the death hoax several times, and has expressed his gratitude for his life and his career. He is a living legend and an inspiration to many.
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