Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Getting the chance to see Smokey Robinson at any point is a pure privilege, but when he came to a sold out Hard Rock Live Northern Indiana on the “Music & Memories” Tour, it just so happened to be the very date the singer/songwriter/producer released “Gasms,” his first new record of entirely new material in 14 years.

Of course, the living legend is no stranger to cranking out the tunes from his earliest days as one of Motown’s main architects, leading The Miracles and going solo, eras that were on display alongside mounds of other memorabilia in the Hard Rock’s hallowed halls, especially when it came to longtime label mates and locals The Jacksons.

For around 100 minutes, the ageless 83-year-old, decked out in the sharpest of suits, was flawless as a vocalist, delivering many of the moments that crowned him a certified lyrical genius, backed by a six-piece band, four local string players and two background singers to authentically replicate the resourceful arrangements.

Whether it was his own “Being With You” and “Quiet Storm” or the group’s “I Second That Emotion,” “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me” and “Ooo Baby Baby,” Robinson and company sounded super close to the recordings, all of which have held up quite durably.

The same could be said about the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s work with another major act, The Temptations, who were represented with a personally-penned medley of “The Way You Do The Things You Do,” “Get Ready” and “My Girl.”

Following the Stevie Wonder collaboration “The Tears Of A Clown,” Smokey slayed the standard “Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words),” then returned to the recent “If We Don’t Have Each Other” and “La Mirada,” plus the silky staple “Just To See Her.”

Fellow classic “The Tracks Of My Tears” surely sent chills throughout the entire casino, while fans got a chance to get in on the action as a collective choir come an extended version of “Crusin.’”

By the end of the extraordinary evening, it was beyond obvious Robinson does indeed remain at the very top of his game in every aspect of performing and creating, which after well over six decades, is nothing short of miraculous.

For additional information on Smokey Robinson, visit SmokeyRobinson.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at Hard Rock Live Northern Indiana include Diana Ross (May 5); The Killers (May 11); Wayne Newton and Tony Orlando (May 13); Billy Currington (May 19); Andrew Schulz (May 20); Incognito (Jun. 3); Kevin Hart (Jun. 10); Kevin James (Jun. 18); Halsey (Jun. 30); Cypress Hill (Jul. 2); Dream Theater (Jul. 7); Jimmie Allen (Jul. 8); Weezer (Jul. 9); Shinedown (Jul. 21); Deon Cole (Jul. 29); Volbeat (Jul. 30); Extreme (Aug. 17); W.A.S.P. (Aug. 20); Daryl Hall (Aug. 22) and Styx (Oct. 13). For additional details, visit HardRockCasinoNorthernIndiana.com.

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