Smokey Robinson Foods - Soulful and Delicious!

SMOKEY ROBINSON BIOGRAPHY
Williarn “Smokey” Robinson
Born on February 19th, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A.

The man Bob Dylan once called one of America's greatest poets began mastering his trade inauspiciously, writing poems at Detroit's Dwyer Elementary while avidly listening to soul and classic popular music. He continued honing his writing skills in high school and formed a local singing group called the Matadors. But it was his chance meeting with fellow Detroiter Berry Gordy that changed Smokey's life. Gordy signed the Matadors (then called the Miracles) and mentored Smokey on songwriting skills, helping the young protege turn clever but disjointed rhymes into three minute short stories. The result was the best songwriter in America during the early 60s, churning out classic cuts for the Miracles, the Temptations, Marvin Gaye and others. Between 1962-66 he penned songs like "My Girl," "Ooh Baby Baby," "The Way You Do The Things You Do," "My Guy," "It's Growing" and dozens of other soul classics.

Robinson also became a heartthrob as the lead singer for the Miracles. His smooth voice and green eyes were magnets for young women, and he and the Miracles rode the charts consistently for the entire decade with hits like 'Mickey's Monkey', 'I Second That Emotion'.

In Motown's early days, Smokey was involved in every part of the company's operations, writing, producing and making his own records, helping in the business of promotion and auditioning many of the young hopefuls who were attracted by Berry Gordy's growing reputation as an businessman.

Throughout the 60's, Smokey combined this production and A & R work with his own career as leader of The Miracles.

Smokey's lyric-writing scaled new heights on ballads such as 'The Love I Saw In You Was Just A Mirage' and 'I Second That Emotion'.

From 1967 onwards, Robinson was given individual credit on the Miracles' releases.

In 1971 he announced that he would be leaving the Miracles the following year, to concentrate on his role as Vice-President of the Motown corporation. A year after the split, Smokey launched his solo career.

Smokey maintained a regular release schedule through the mid-70's, with one new album arriving every year. He continued to break new songwriting ground and describing a new genre to a new style of soft soul on 1975's 'A Quiet Storm'.

In 1979 Smokey released 'Cruisin', his biggest chart success since 'The Tears Of A Clown' nine years earlier.

Two years later, he gained his first UK number 1 with 'Being With You', a love song that came close to equalling that achievement in the U.S.A.

Voted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1988, Smokey Robinson is now one of the senior figures in popular music, a writer and producer still best remembered for his outstanding work in the 60's, but who has seldom betrayed the responsibility of that legacy since then.

Frances Robinson and Smokey Robinson are husband and wife. Frances is a very gifted and sought after interior designer. Frances is highly regarded for her talents and has been published.

EUGENE LA PIETRA BIOGRAPHY
Business Man, Community Leader, Philanthropist
Born on March 17, 1948,
in Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.A.

Gene La Pietra has been a successful businessman in Los Angeles for the past thirty years. In addition to his business endeavors Mr. La Pietra has been recognized at all levels for his generous commitment to the support of his community and organizations that work to improve the quality of life for all residents.

A partial list of Gene's Civic and Community accomplishments:

• Appointed to the state Commission on Parks and Recreation by Gov. Gray Davis, June 2001
• Chairman of the Board of Governors, Hollywood Youth Charities (HYC).
• Former Board Member and Fundraising Chair, Central Hollywood Neighborhood Council
• Producer of "Centre of Universe New Year's Eve" on Hollywood Boulevard
• Former Member, Board of Trustees, Hollywood Schoolhouse
• Producer of Fiesta Hollywood
• Trustee "Project 10" Outreach program for gay high school students
• Board Member, Hollywood Arts Council
• Member, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce
• Member, The Rotary Club of Los Angeles 5
• Board Member, Hollywood Media District BID
• Member, Hollywood Community Police Advisory Board (Hollywood C-PAB)
• Former President of the Hollywood Police Support Association (HPSA)
• Former President, Hollywood Police Activities League (Hollywood PAL)
• Former Board Member, AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA)
• Former Board Member, Los Angeles Lesbian and Gay Community Center
• Received the Outstanding Community Service Award in 2002 from the Hollywood Coordinating Council

Gene's willingness to give freely of his time and resources has earned him recognition from every segment of society, from the Marine Corps for his work on the "Toys for Tots" program and the California State Assembly and Senate for a variety of endeavors, and has been cited for his outstanding volunteer work by the ACLU and NAACP, several times by the City of Los Angeles and as 1983's "Man of the Year" by Christopher Street West, Inc.

LEON ISAAC KENNEDY BIOGRAPHY
Producer, Businessman, Screenwriter, Actor
Born on January 1, 1949 in Cleveland, OH, U.S.A.

African American leading man Leon Isaac Kennedy has been one of the foremost purveyors of two-fisted action flicks. Kennedy is best known for his performance as "Too Sweet" in 1979's Penitentiary and its sequels. Television work includes a supporting role in the 1980 TV movie Off the Cherokee Strip. While in production he generally wears a multitude of hats, producing and writing as well as acting. Leon Isaac Kennedy was married to actress/TV personality Jayne Kennedy, with whom he co-starred in Body and Soul. In addition to his many successful business ventures, Mr. Kennedy is a frequent speaker at Churches across the nation.

Movies:

1989 – Skeleton Coast
1987 – Penitentiary 3
1986 – Hollywood Vice Squad
1985 – Knights of the City
1985 – Too Scared to Scream
1983 – Lone Wolf McQuade
1982 – Fighting Mad
1982 – Penitentiary 2
1981 – Body and Soul
1980 – Off the Minnesota Strip
1979 – Penitentiary
1978 – Death Force
1977 – Fighting Mad

ALEJANDRO LOPEZ BIOGRAPHY

Alejandro Lopez, Hollywood resident, community activist and businessman. Mr. Lopez is the Vice President of Circus Disco and the Hollywood Arena nightclubs, the largest and oldest nightclubs on the west coast. He oversees the day-to-day operations of the clubs and directs the 100 member staff. Alejandro is also a talented mariachi vocalist. In 1999, Alejandro released a self-titled CD.

Mr. Lopez is a board member of the Central Hollywood Neighborhood Council, Hollywood’s first certified neighborhood council. Neighborhood Councils were established in the City of Los Angeles in 2000 to empower communities and residents to improve their areas. He serves as the Chairperson of the Public Safety Committee where stakeholder concerns of police, fire, traffic and other quality of life issues are addressed. He also serves as a member of the council’s Latino Stakeholder Outreach Committee.

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