What would you talk about with Smokey?

Cafe Society
1

Long story short, my gf is spending this afternoon working with Smokey Robinson. She will, being polite, offer to take him out for dinner while he is in Pittsburgh. If this dinner happens, I’ll be invited. (Her guess is maybe a 1 in 10 chance it will occur)

So, what would you talk about with Smokey? Years ago I met Shana Morrison. I avoided talking about her dad for the longest time, but eventually I broke down and told her how much I loved Van’s music and blathered a bit. She laughed.

So, my gf says I should not try to work “miracles” into the convo. Any other advice? :slight_smile:

2

Don’t ask for advice on preventing forest fires.

3

“Mr Robinson, it’s really great how you changed baseball!”

4

Make “Tears of a Clown” your ringtone and arrange for somebody to call you during dinner.

5

“So, hows the Mrs.”?

6

Every time he talks, look around the room like you’re looking for something. When he asks you what’s up, just tell him you’re looking around to see if violins play when he talks, or is it only when he sings.

7

Ask him if he’s a fan of the ABC song about him?

8

Before opening the thread, the three subjects I considered it would be about were The Bear, the Burt Reynolds character, and Robinson, in that order. Ask him how it feels to be the third most famous Smokey.

9

Damn. Just got a text message from my gf. Dinner isn’t happening tonight, but maybe the next time he comes to Pittsburgh.

She said he was an incredibly nice guy and he mentioned that he was totally cool with pics if anyone wanted to take any. (Nobody would have asked, but he offered!) My gf got a pic with him. He looks great for 77!!

The question I would have asked; “of all the covers that have been done of your songs, is there one you like the best?” Maybe next time.

10

What’s funny about that?
Ask him if he was ever confused with Brooks.

11

I’d say “Tell me all about your life” and then just sit back and listen.

12

Smokey is a company man and a politician too. I think it would be hard to get him to let it all hang out, at least about juicy stuff on background so to speak.

13

Ask him where that twenty bucks he still owes me is.

14

Ask him did he get his drum set back from Eddie Murphy? ( It’ll be really hard for Smokey to perform tonight… without Percussion!!)

I wouldn’t ask him about Dylan… I figure he’s gotten that a hundred times. I guess seriously I’d ask him what he thought about what Norman Whitfield did with the Temps after he stopped producing them…

15

He can talk about whatever he wants. It will still sound like music.

16

I wouldn’t bring anything up unless he does. Some famous people are all about their accomplishments and you can’t shut them up (so have a list ready). Others really are sick of talking about it and will be irritated if you bug them about it during downtime. Let him lead. I would particularly advocate this approach since it involves your girlfriend’s work. No need to taint his memory of her.

17

I’d love to see Smokey be an adviser on The Voice. It’s not a big commitment. A couple days work and it’s good tv exposure. Bette Midler and Lionel Richie have done it. They help the singers prepare for the Battle rounds.

I’d ask Smokey if he watches the show and would ever appear on it as an advisor.

18

I would have just tried to talk to him like a regular person, instead of maiking the obvious sorts of comments (e.g. “Wow - I haven’t heard your name in decades, and didn’t know you were still alive!”)

19

Burt was the Bandit, Gleason played Smokey and got all the best lines.

20

I’d’ve asked him what the Motown approach was like as times changed - relocation to LA, the emergence of Marvin Gaye as an artist, inspiring Stevie - moving away from the factory approach Smokey was core to. There were the Jackson 5, deeply immersed in the older approach - what was all that like?

Oh, and which of the Funk Brothers was he most impressed with? Was James Jamerson easy, or a sloppy drunk who could play like nobodies business?