RONNIE WHITE, OF THE MIRACLES, DIES AT 57
Eric LeBlanc-CISTI
... Ronnie was serious, a perfect gentleman"
~ Kim Weston, Sacramento Bee, August 29, 1995
Baritone singer & songwriter RONNIE WHITE has died. An original member of
The Miracles (formerly The 5 Chimes, The Matadors), he & William "Smokey"
Robinson recorded a rare duet in 1959 as RON & BILL, which was leased to
Argo Records (a Chess subsidiary) before being released on Berry Gordy's
own Tamla label. As a songwriter, he co-wrote with Smokey Robinson,
Mary Wells' "You Beat Me To The Bunch", The Temptations' "My Girl",
and The Miracles' "Come On Do The Jerk" & "Bad Girl". He was also credited
(by Berry Gordy) in discovering Stevie Wonder. After Smokey Robinson left
The Miracles in 1972, the new Miracles continued to record (with
Bill Griffin, lead) until 1978. In his last years, Ronnie White worked as
a real estate agent.
RONALD ANTHONY WHITE JR. was born April 5, 1938, Detroit, MI., and
died at the Henry Ford Hospital on Saturday, August 26, 1995, Detroit, MI.
He was survived by his wife Gloria, son Ronnie White II., daughter Pamela
White DasGupta, and his fellow Miracles, William "Smokey" Robinson,
Robert "Bobby" Rogers, Claudette Rogers Robinson, Warren "Pete" Moore,
William Griffin, and their longtime guitarist, Marvin Tarplin.
Very Selective Discography
==========================
MOTOWN 636334 SMOKEY ROBINSON & THE MIRACLES - 35TH ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION
RHINO 71181 SMOKEY ROBINSON & THE MIRACLES - MORE OF THE BEST