Smokey, Claudette Robinson Speak on Death of Bobby Rogers

*Earlier we reported the death of The Miracles’ Bobby Rogers at 73.

He died Sunday morning at his suburban Detroit area home in Southfield.

Via the Motown Alumni Association (MAA), we’ve received the following statements from Smokey Robinson and Claudette Robinson (the “First Lady of Motown”), who like Rogers, were founding members of The Miracles.

“Another soldier in my life has fallen. Bobby Rogers was my brother and a really good friend. He and I were born on the exact same day in the same hospital in Detroit. I am really going to miss him. I loved him very much.” — Smokey Robinson

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“My cousin, Robert “Bobby” Rogers, who was like a brother to me, lost his battle and succumbed. He has gone on to be with His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Bobby will be missed and mourned by many.  Rest in peace, my brother of ‘song.’   Love you Cuz.” –  Claudette

Bobby Rogers, Smokey & Claudette Robinson, Pete More and Ronald White were the original members of the Miracles.

Rogers and The Miracles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. He was too ill to attend the ceremony.

He shared songwriting credits with Robinson on The Temptations’ “The Way You Do the Things You Do,” The Contours’ “First I Look at the Purse” and The Miracles’ “Going to a Go-Go.”

Funeral arrangements through James H. Cole Home for Funerals in Detroit were incomplete Sunday afternoon.

Read the  group’s full bio at Wikipedia.