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Pete Moore

 
Artist: Warren "Pete" Moore

Worked With:

Formal Connection With:

  • Born: November 19, 1939, Detroit, MI
  • Active: '50s, '60s, '70s
  • Genres: Rhythm & Blues
  • Instrument: Producer, Vocals, Songwriter

Biography

Warren "Pete" Moore is best-known as the bass vocalist of the Miracles who co-wrote some of their R&B smash hits like "Ain't That Peculiar" and "Going to a Go-Go." Born in Detroit, MI, in 1939, Moore became a member of a vocal group while in high school in the mid-'50s. This group -- which included William "Smokey" Robinson -- started out as the Five Chimes, but had changed their name to the Matadors by 1956 when they auditioned with Jackie Wilson's manager Nat Tarnopol. This didn't turn out to be the group's big break, but they did catch the attention of Wilson's songwriter Berry Gordy, Jr. Thus started what would become a ride of success for the band. The Miracles became successful on Gordy's Tamla label with many hits, starting in 1960. By 1967, with the increasing popularity of one member, their name was changed to Smokey Robinson & the Miracles. Robinson left in the early '70s to pursue his solo career, but the Miracles continued on through the late '70s. Over the years, Moore had co-written several of the band's biggest hits, including "Tracks of My Tears," "Ooo Baby Baby," "Since I Lost My Baby," "Ain't That Peculiar," and "Going to a Go-Go." In addition to his role as singer and songwriter, Moore worked as a producer and continued to do so in Detroit after the Miracles called it quits. Among the albums he produced were releases for Robinson, Marvin Gaye, and Diana Ross & the Supremes. ~ Joslyn Layne, All Music Guide
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Wikipedia: Pete Moore
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Pete Moore (born Warren Moore on November 19, 1939, Detroit, Michigan) is an African American soul singer,and songwriter, notable as the bass singer for Motown group The Miracles from 1955 onwards. A childhood friend of Miracles lead singer Smokey Robinson,the two first met at a musical event given by the Detroit Public School system,where Pete spotted Smokey singing as part of the show. The two became friends,and decided to form a singing group, which eventually became The Miracles. Besides his work in The Miracles, Moore is also notable for having helped Miracles member Smokey Robinson write several hit songs, including The Temptations' "It's Growing" and "Since I Lost My Baby", and two of Marvin Gaye's biggest hits ,the Top 10 million sellers," Ain't That Peculiar ", and "I'll Be Doggone".

Moore also co-wrote several of The Miracles' own hits. These included "Ooo Baby Baby" (1965), the million-selling Grammy Hall Of Fame Inductee"The Tracks Of My Tears" (also 1965),for which he won the ASCAP Award Of Merit, 1966's "Going to a Go-Go"(where he came up with the song's initial percussion sequence), and the multi-million selling #1 Pop smash, "Love Machine" (co-written with Miracles' member Billy Griffin) and the platinum album from which it came, City of Angels, among others. The song "Overture" from that album,also co-written by Moore and Billy Griffin, was used as the official theme on Radio Monte Carlo in France from 1978 to 1979. [1]. Moore also sung co-lead on a few recordings as well, such as "I Love Your Baby" and the groups' Billboard Top 40 hit "Doggone Right".Pete is also an accomplished producer, having produced several hit songs, including The Miracles' 1969 hit, Here I Go Again ,and the aforementioned City Of Angels album, along with albums by Marvin Gaye,and The Supremes.[2]

In late 2006, Moore re-united with original Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Bobby Rogers for the group's first - ever extended interview on the Motown DVD release, "Smokey Robinson & The Miracles : The Definitive Performances".In this interview, Pete revealed for the first time that he was , for years, the group's uncredited vocal arranger. The second most prolific songwriter in The Miracles after Robinson himself, Pete's compositions have been recorded by Marvin Gaye, Debbie Boone, Linda Ronstadt, George Michael, The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, Ramsey Lewis, Tom Jones, Luther Vandross, Michael Jackson, The Temptations, and The Four Tops . He is not to be mistaken as the composer of the Pearl & Dean theme song, "Asteroid" which was created by an altogether different Pete Moore, a London born composer and arranger. Today, Pete is owner and CEO of his own Las Vegas-based entertainment firm, WBMM Enterprises.[3] As of 2009, Miracles lead singer Smokey Robinson is the only member of The Miracles to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame. Controversally, Pete, and the other original Miracles, Bobby Rogers,Ronnie White, Claudette Robinson, and Marv Tarplin,have not been inducted, for unknown reasons. In 2007 Pete reunited on stage with original Miracles Bobby Rogers, Claudette Robinson, and Smokey Robinson to celebrate the group's 50th anniversary.On March 20, 2009, Pete was on hand to be honored with the rest of the group when The Miracles received their long-overdue star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Awards

Moore has been a 4 time winner of the BMI award for songwriting.

  • Moore has also been awarded by the American Society of Composers,Authors,and Publishers (ASCAP) for co- composing The Tracks Of My Tears with fellow Miracles Marv Tarplin and Smokey Robinson (see Reference).
  • Moore was also honored with the other Miracles when the group received a star on The Hollywood Walk Of Fame in early 2009.
  • (Reference: Ebony, Oct 1971, pg 169)

External links


 
 
Learn More
The Power of Music (1976 Album by The Miracles)
In Camera (Rock Band, '90s)
Hi, We're the Miracles (1961 Album by The Miracles)

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Artist. Copyright © 2009 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.  Read more
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