The Miracles hit No. 1 without Smokey Robinson 40 years ago
Today's Morning Edition music is from the song "Love Machine Part 1" by the Miracles, which was at the top of the Billboard pop chart 40 years ago.
When Smokey Robinson left the Miracles in 1972, the group reinvented itself with Bill Griffin as the lead singer.
This song came from their concept album, which explored the ups and downs of the Hollywood star system. The album cut was too long for Top 40 radio so it was split in half on two sides of a single. "Part 1" was the hit, the only chart-topper for the Smokey-less Miracles.
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