1. Factory Work: During his teenage years, Robinson worked in a factory located in Detroit, Michigan, where he was born and raised. He worked as a stock clerk and performed manual labor jobs to contribute financially to his family.
2. Boxing: Robinson was also interested in sports, particularly boxing. He participated in amateur boxing matches as a teenager, developing his physical strength and agility.
3. High School Education: He attended Northern High School in Detroit, where he showed musical talent and passion for singing. Robinson formed his first singing group, "The Five Chimes," with friends at school, which was an early step towards his musical career.
4. Early Musical Influences: As a young music enthusiast, Robinson drew inspiration from various artists and musical styles, including gospel music from his church and the emerging rhythm and blues (R&B) scene in Detroit.
5. Local Talent Shows: Along with his friends in "The Five Chimes," Robinson gained experience performing in local talent shows, honing his vocal skills and stage presence.
6. Songwriting: Robinson's songwriting abilities began to flourish during this time. He experimented with writing original songs, expressing his thoughts and emotions through music.
7. Motown Records: Eventually, Robinson's musical talents caught the attention of Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records. In 1959, Robinson joined Motown Records as a songwriter and artist. This marked the beginning of his successful music career, leading him to become one of the most influential figures in R&B and soul music.
During his early years, Smokey Robinson gained experience through factory work, boxing, education, and local music performances, all of which contributed to his development as an artist before he gained fame as a celebrated singer and songwriter in the music industry.