Smokey Robinson inducts Little Anthony and the Imperials Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductions 2009

[@fischkopf]

I saw them around the late 1990s- my jaw dropped in awe seeing them live. Their performance has been etched into my mind since then- I was 20.

[@SunnyIlha]

Smokey: "A long overdue event" Truly. Thanks Anthony and the Imperials.

[@terryherrera9054]

All I can say is that Little Anthony and the Imperials are in a class of their own and always been Electric and pure talent to watch and listen to. It's about time they get the recognition , honor and inducted to the Rock to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Congratulations to Anthony and Imperials you guys truly Deserve IT ! 😇🤗💖

[@brucescott4261]

My late Uncle Harold used to have TEARS ON MY PILLOW/TWO PEOPLE IN THE WORLD (End #1027) on the 78 RPM single. He also had the classic LP entitled WE ARE THE IMPERIALS Featuring LITTLE ANTHONY (End LP-303). I bought this classic LP when I was a teenager. I still have the original pressing today.

[@robertvelez8485]

Why did it take the year 2009 to induct Little Anthony & The Imperials when you have numerous artists who should not even be in the hall that got in earlier? What a world we live in!

[@mikecinquen]

I agree 100 %

[@brucescott4261]

@@mikecinquen ...I second that.

[@williamg2552]

I’ve got a better question: why did Smokey Robinson get inducted as a solo artist, when his greatest recordings were as a member of THE MIRACLES? And then to make the REST of them wait another 25 YEARS before the rest of the group finally got in? By that time, Marv Tarplin, and Ronnie White, were DEAD, And Bobby Rogers was near death. So only Pete Moore and Claudette Robinson were able to show up to accept ? And WHO showed up to induct them? The guy that they should’ve gone into the Hall of Fame with in the FIRST PLACE...Smokey Robinson!! What they did to Motown’s FIRST and MOST IMPORTANT GROUP was CRIMINAL!!

[@ghanasoul]

@williamg2552 You’re 100% RIGHT! IMO, Smokey should’ve NEVER EVER been inducted as a solo artist. No offense, but his legacy is his music with the Miracles. Did he do great solo songs? Yes. Did he have hits on his own? Yes. However, his best known material was with the group. 25 years to get recognition is bs. Glad they got it though!

[@michaelwilks8281]

That was beautiful heartfelt words coming from an icon of the music industry. And what Smokey said about them being like brothers I sincerely wish that Biggie and Tupac would have remained that way. And realized that the world was big enough to coexist and thrive for the both of them. The way the two mega groups of that generation Smokey Robinson and the Miracles and Little Anthony and Imperials were able too

[@andrethompson2034]

Yes it was long overdue for Little Anthony and the Imperials and still is for so many other great groups. The group War is still not in and I can't understand why, I can name others but you get my point.

[@ahmad.tillery.1987]

"They are the bomb" go head Smokey! This is so true. 💯💯💯

[@stanleymccray7443]

These guys really deserve the honor

[@markegan2480]

Just listening to them I want to, Shimmy Shimmy Ko Ko Bop 🕺

[@cinnamonspice4389]

My Cuzzo Glouster”Nate” Rogers congratulations 🍾🎊 to you. Shout out to Brooklyn NewYork.

[@janepang484]

Little Anthony & The Imperials 🎼🎵🕺👬🧑‍🤝‍🧑🎤📀👍👏🌟🤩 From Hong Kong🙋‍♀️🌏💝🌺🥰

[@danney99]

@williamg2552 The Miracles will be inducted in 2012.

[@cloud78freedom93]

Well deserved guys

[@Dara604]

As a joke,Anthony Gourdine asked me to marry him one time when I was a little girl, and I politely turned him down! Anthony, if you are reading this, I hope we can still be friends. I love you. (hums "Hurt So Bad").

[@Dara604]

I'm so sorry that I turned you down Anthony, but I hope and pray that next time we see each other, we can be friends. I pray that you and the guys are safe and well. You make me laugh every time I see you! I miss you.

[@williamg2552]

PUT THE MIRACLES INTO THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME IN 2012....NOT JUST "SMOKEY" !!!

[@williamg2552]

@bad1y2k These ARE the original Imperials.

[@1racemate]

how did this happen ?

[@paulstamp4106]

Smokey...no autocue, genuis

[@matrox]

I was a tyke when the Imperials were starting their heyday in the late 50s. I was listening to there music on the radio at the age of 2 and 3 years old and was a fan even then. The 50s-1970s put out the best catalogue of music in world history. By the 1980s music was becoming garbage and has devolved into the crap we currently call music.

[@williamg2552]

@danney99 'Bout TIME .

[@jeffreyconyers8735]

Mary Wells, still not inducted?

[@patriciamitchell9365]

This award does not do Posthumously.

[@leedomermentor8403]

Amy winehouse brought me here

[@laminage]

Weren't Little Anthony & The Imperials out there performing before Smokey Robinson & The Miracles. In one sense "they" should have gotten inducted before Smokey who was inducted in 1987. Even his Induction created controversy because only Smokey got inducted and not his "Partners", ie Bobby Rogers, Warren "Pete" Moore, and Ronnie White (RIP) not to mention Smokey's Former First Wife Claudette.

[@brucescott4261]

laminage ...Yes, they were as The Chesters.

[@williamg2552]

...And also original member Marv Tarplin. All six original Miracles are now inducted.(in 2012) All six original members were mentioned on the back liner notes of The Miracles' very first album in 1961: SMOKEY, CLAUDETTE, BOBBY RONNIE, PETE, and MARV. But, you're right . ALL SIX should have been inducted in 1987....not just SMOKEY.

[@phillycheez6288]

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is rigged!! Period. A lot of artists get nominated and haven't been inducted! Ie; The Marvelletes!! been nominated 2x and not inducted and it's only 2 alive now! Smdh 😒

[@georgemusic4all4seasons]

@@phillycheez6288 this is shocking!!!! The Marvelettes are not in the RRHF???? This is criminal as they were one of Motown’s first super groups as well as solo artist Mary Wells. Every time there is a Motown documentary the early groups and singers get maybe five minutes of recognition. While the Supremes, The Temptations and The Jackson Five get all the attention. Don’t get me wrong I love all the Motown artists but they seem to forget the early part of the 1960’s.?

[@phillycheez6288]

@GEORGE, MUSIC 4 ALL 4 SEASONS yep💯Mary Wells, wasn't inducted either!! Nominated 2x as well. That's why I'm not paying any attention to The Hall or the grammys, oscars!! Smdh..you see on Motown 25 they gave Mary Wells, Martha Reeves, Jr Walker each 31 seconds of 1 hit! It should've been a medly of hits at least 5mins.😤The Jackson 5 did their medley and Michael wouldn't even participate if he couldn't do his new music!.. don't get me wrong I love all the music but by this time The Jacksons had moved on just like everyone else! Motown 25 was supposed to be yesterday, today,forever. The Marvelletes weren't even invited! Neither The Funk Bros or The Andantes! They were "The Motown Sound "🤷🏾‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️

[@Superb1]

Too bad they chose to snub the original Imperials. They still perform in Vegas.

[@williamg2552]

The Original Imperials all got inducted. Little Anthony Gourdine, Clarence Collins, Ernest Wright, Glouster "Nate" Rogers, and Tracey Lord (posthumously). Also longtime member Sammy Strain, who who replaced Lord and Rogers, and who was on the majority of their biggest hits.

[@oldsoldier8139]

I bet Smoky hung some pipe back in the day! The boy is smooth!

[@mikebraves23]

so do I great shame !!