*Bobbie Smith (sometimes spelled Bobby), co-founder and long time co-lead singer of the legendary Spinners, has died at age 76.
No details are available and no statement or confirmation has been provided by Smith’s family, according to Soul Tracks.com.
Smith was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan and became a fixture on the local music scene with his group mates. He was also the group’s original lead singer, and was the voice on the Spinners’ first hit, “That’s What Girls Are Made For” and shared the lead with Philippe Wynne – and later, John Edwards – on the group’s biggest hits in the 1970s, including “I’ll Be Around,” “Could It Be I’m Falling In Love” and “Games People Play.”
Read/learn more about Bobbie Smith and the Spinners at Soul Tracks.
Watch Bobbie Smith sing lead on the Spinner’s smash hit “I’ll Be Around” on “Soul Train”:
RIP Mr Smith, Thank you for leaving us some good music, you will be sorely missed, my condolences to his family and friends.
I remember the house parties my parents used to have and The Spinners and many other fabulous and talented R&B/Soul artists were played until the early hours of the dawn. The Spinners’ music is a part of my early childhood’s soundtrack and I’m so thankful that it is.
RIP Mr. Smith. Thanks for the beautiful, moving, and lasting musical legacy you leave behind. You’ll always be here with us thanks to the music.
Thank God the Spinners were profiled by Unsung before Mr. Smith’s passing. The Spinners had alot of timeless hits, particularly, when Phillipe Wynne was in the group. So sorry to hear of Bobbie Smith’s death. May he rest in peace.
My favorite group as an Aries child , was a five man group that had two lead singers that just happened to be Aries,The Spinners. I had to represent even back then,lol.
Bobbie Smith would start many of their songs and then the closer Phillipe Wynne would finish them along with the supporting vocals of Henry Fambrough who is now the groups lone survivor,Pervis Jackson ( Mr.12-45)and Billy Henderson.
So many songs I loved by them,Mighty Love,Smile We Have Each Other,Just As Long As We Have Love,Living A Little Laughing A Little.I’ll Be Around,I Dont Want To Lose You,Smile We Have Each Other,I’ll Be Around and one of my many favorites pf their hits Ghetto Child.Most of their songs,love songs taught me how to relate to the finer sex and for that I will be forever grateful.
Bobbie Smith ,condolences to your friends and family.Thanks so much for sharing your talents with us.Thanks to my brother Tony Gilbert for turning me on to them as a teen,he was always playing Love Don’t Love Nobody.
RIP Sir.
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