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Berry Gordy's Home Performance

Smokey Robinson, Motown singer, “Larry King Live” (June 25, 2009) (archived)

LARRY KING: Smokey, when did you first meet him?

SMOKEY ROBINSON: Oh, I first met Michael when the kids first came to Motown. And they did a show, actually, at Berry's home in Detroit, they did a show for us there. And they were so dynamic. To see a little guy like Michael was at that time, singing like he had been here forever, you know, just singing like an old man, was just an incredible experience.

KING: Did you know he was going to be a hit?

ROBINSON: Oh, absolutely. It was obvious.

KING: This was no doubter, right?

ROBINSON: It was a no doubter. It was obvious. Because like I said, this guy is -- you know, he's like an old soul. He sang like he had lived it all before, when he was 10. So -- yes, I knew he was going to be great.