Singer. He was a founding member and lead vocalist with the music ensemble "The Spinners." Sometimes spelled Bobbie, the Detroit native's association with music can be traced back to the mid 1950s, when along with some high school buddies (Billy Henderson, Henry Fambrough, Pervis Jackson and George W. Dixon) they formed a singing group called The Domingoes. After changing their name to The Spinners, they scored a top-30 hit with "That's What Girls Are Made For" (1961, reaching number 27) with the Tri-Phil label. Motown's Berry Gordy soon took notice and signed them to his hit making machine. They had minor success with the Top-40 record "I'll Always Love You" (1965, reaching number 35). The Steve Wonder penned "It's a Shame" (1970) gave them a number 27 placing and after moving onto Atlantic Records at the suggestion of Aretha Franklin they enjoyed a decade of commercial success. Their gold records from that period include "I'll Be Around" (1972), "Could It Be I'm Falling In Love" (1973), "One of a Kind (Love Affair)" (1973), "Then Came You" (1974, with Dionne Warwick), "They Just Can't Stop It the (Games People Play)" (1975), "The Rubberband Man" (1976) and their version of "Working My Way Back To You" (1980, originally recorded by Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons in 1965). It should be noted that Philippé Wynne, whom was a member of The Spinners from 1972 until 1977 is often credited as the lead vocalist. However, this has been disputed with other sources claiming Smith was the group's lead singer. Smith remained an active performer into the 2000s, prior to retiring to Florida. He had been battling lung cancer when he succumbed to pneumonia. In 2023, he was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Spinners.
Singer. He was a founding member and lead vocalist with the music ensemble "The Spinners." Sometimes spelled Bobbie, the Detroit native's association with music can be traced back to the mid 1950s, when along with some high school buddies (Billy Henderson, Henry Fambrough, Pervis Jackson and George W. Dixon) they formed a singing group called The Domingoes. After changing their name to The Spinners, they scored a top-30 hit with "That's What Girls Are Made For" (1961, reaching number 27) with the Tri-Phil label. Motown's Berry Gordy soon took notice and signed them to his hit making machine. They had minor success with the Top-40 record "I'll Always Love You" (1965, reaching number 35). The Steve Wonder penned "It's a Shame" (1970) gave them a number 27 placing and after moving onto Atlantic Records at the suggestion of Aretha Franklin they enjoyed a decade of commercial success. Their gold records from that period include "I'll Be Around" (1972), "Could It Be I'm Falling In Love" (1973), "One of a Kind (Love Affair)" (1973), "Then Came You" (1974, with Dionne Warwick), "They Just Can't Stop It the (Games People Play)" (1975), "The Rubberband Man" (1976) and their version of "Working My Way Back To You" (1980, originally recorded by Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons in 1965). It should be noted that Philippé Wynne, whom was a member of The Spinners from 1972 until 1977 is often credited as the lead vocalist. However, this has been disputed with other sources claiming Smith was the group's lead singer. Smith remained an active performer into the 2000s, prior to retiring to Florida. He had been battling lung cancer when he succumbed to pneumonia. In 2023, he was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Spinners.
Bio by: C.S.
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Bobbie S. Smith [alternate spelling]
1936-2013
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