Smokey Robinson Gets the Gershwin
By • November 23, 2016 0 1222
Motown legend Smokey Robinson received the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song Nov. 16 and was honored with a tribute concert on DAR Constitution Hall. The concert featured appearances by Aloe Blacc, Gallant, Berry Gordy, CeeLo Green, JoJo, Ledisi, Tegan Marie, Kip Moore, Corinne Bailey Rae, Esperanza Spalding, the Tenors and BeBe Winans. The honoree also performed; Samuel L. Jackson was the emcee. “The Gershwins wrote music when the song was king,” the 76-year-old Robinson said. “For me to even be mentioned in the same breath with the Gershwins as a songwriter is just incredible.” Said Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden of the iconic songwriter: “Like the Gershwins, Smokey Robinson has left the American songbook much richer than it was before.”
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- Tegan Marie performs “My Guy” during the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song tribute concert to Smokey Robinson at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., November 16, 2016. Photo by Shawn Miller.
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- An all-star cast of performers pays tribute to Smokey Robinson during the 2016 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song concert at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., November 16, 2016. Photo by Shawn Miller.
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- Corinne Bailey Rae performs “Ooo Baby Baby” during the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song tribute concert to Smokey Robinson at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., November 16, 2016. Photo by Shawn Miller.
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- Samuel L. Jackson emcees the 2016 Gershwin Prize for Popular Song tribute concert for Smokey Robinson, November 16, 2016. Photo by Shawn Miller.
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- JoJo and Gallant perform “Cruisin” during the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song tribute concert to Smokey Robinson at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., November 16, 2016. Photo by Shawn Miller.
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- Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden presents Motown legend Smokey Robinson with the 2016 Gershwin Prize for Popular Song at DAR Constitution Hall, November 16, 2016. Photo by Shawn Miller.
