Tuesday, March 19, 2024

WE REMEMBER: Warren ‘Pete’ Moore of The Miracles Dies on His Birthday at 78

Pete Moore at far left next to Smokey Robinson
Pete Moore at far left next to Smokey Robinson – Also pictured is Motown founder Berry Gordy and Miracles member Bobby Moore, who passed away in 2013. The younger gentleman is unidentified

*Good Lord! That old entertainment axiom regarding entertainers/celebrities dying in 3s has been put to the test again. And it appears to be absolutely true.

Earlier we reported on the deaths of Earle Hyman who played “Grandpa Huxtable” on “The Cosby Show” and singer/actress Della Reese.

Now we can add the name of Warren “Pete” Moore, of the legendary Miracles singing group. No cause of death was provided, but according to his Wikipedia page, he died on his 78th birthday, Sunday, November 19.

Motown founder Berry Gordy confirmed Moore’s death in a statement.

“I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Warren ‘Pete’ Moore, a fine human being and valued member of the Motown family,” Gordy said. “Pete was an original member of my very first group, the Miracles. He was a quiet spirit with a wonderful Bass voice behind Smokey Robinson’s soft, distinctive lead vocals and was co-writer on several of the Miracles hits.”

A childhood friend of Robinson’s while growing up in Detroit, Moore and Robinson formed a singing group while they were both in high school. With Moore as the bass singer, the group was known as the Five Chimes and the Matadors before signing with Gordy’s Motown offshoot Tamla in 1959. They changed their name to the Miracles soon after.

RELATED NEWS: WE REMEMBER: BOBBY ROGERS OF SMOKEY ROBINSON & THE MIRACLES DIES AT 73

pete moore
Pete Moore

After Smokey Robinson left the Miracles in 1971, Moore remained until the group dissolved in 1978.

In late 2006, Moore re-united with original Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Bobby Rogers for an extended interview on the Motown DVD release, “Smokey Robinson & The Miracles : The Definitive Performances,” according to Moore’s Wikipedia page. In the interview, Moore revealed for the first time that he was the group’s uncredited vocal arranger. The second most prolific songwriter in the Miracles after Robinson, Moore’s compositions have been recorded by Linda Ronstadt, Michael Jackson, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, George Michael, The Rolling Stones, Ramsey Lewis, Tom Jones, Luther Vandross, The Temptations, The Four Tops, and Debby Boone.

In 2012, Moore was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside the Miracles.

“A gentleman, loving husband, devoted father and loyal friend, we all loved him and will miss him,” Berry Gordy added.

Moore is owner and CEO of Las Vegas-based entertainment firm, WBMM Enterprises, and co-owner, with Miracles member Billy Griffin, of music publishing company, Grimora Music.[5] Moore and his wife Tina have two grown daughters, Monette and Monique.

Flashback with Pete Moore and The Miracles:



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