Marv Tarplin
Marv Tarplin | |
---|---|
Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | |
Genres | Soul |
Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
Instrument(s) | Guitar |
Years active | 1958–2008 |
Labels | Motown |
Marvin Tarplin (June 13, 1941 – September 30, 2011) was an American musician, best known as the guitarist for
Biography
Referred to as the Miracles' "secret weapon",
Whilst Tarplin remained with the Miracles for as long as Robinson was their lead singer, he is only present on the cover of three classic Miracles albums:
In addition, Tarplin co-wrote several Robinson-produced hits by
Tarplin left the Miracles in 1973, shortly after Smokey Robinson and his wife Claudette left the group. His replacement in the Miracles was Donald Griffin, brother of Billy Griffin (Robinson's replacement in the group).[5][6][7]
Robinson and Tarplin continued to collaborate as writers on Robinson's solo recordings, including hits such as "
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame controversy
In 1987, Smokey Robinson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist. However, in a decision that has since sparked much scrutiny, debate, and controversy, Tarplin, and the other original members of the Miracles,
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2012
On February 9, 2012 (just 5 months after his death), it was announced that Marv Tarplin would be posthumously inducted with the rest of the Miracles into the
Later years and death
Three years after leaving Robinson, Tarplin died in his Las Vegas home of undetermined causes on September 30, 2011. He was 70. Tarplin had three daughters, named Talese, Lisa and Eboney.[12][13]
Compositions
Tarplin wrote the music for numerous songs, including several of Motown's biggest hits. Here is a partial list:
- "I Can't Believe", The Miracles (1962)
- "I Like It Like That", The Miracles (1964, No. 27 Pop)
- "You're So Fine And Sweet", The Miracles
- "Come On Do The Jerk", The Miracles (1964, # 50 Pop, No. 22 R&B)
- "Ain't That Peculiar", Marvin Gaye (1965, No. 8 Pop, No. 1 R&B)
- "The Tracks of My Tears", The Miracles (1965, No. 16 Pop, No. 2 R&B)
- "My Girl Has Gone", The Miracles (1965, No. 14 Pop, No. 3 R&B)
- "Going to a Go-Go", The Miracles (1965, No. 11 Pop, No. 2 R&B)
- "My Business, Your Pleasure", The Miracles
- "One More Heartache", Marvin Gaye (1966, No. 29 Pop, No. 4 R&B)
- "Take This Heart of Mine", Marvin Gaye (1966, No. 44 Pop)
- "I'll Be Doggone", Marvin Gaye (1966 # 1 R&B, # 8 Pop)
- "You're Not An Ordinary Girl", The Temptations (1966)
- "The Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage", Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (1967, No. 20 Pop, No. 10 R&B)
- Dancing's Alright", Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (1967)
- "Doggone Right", Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (1969, No. 32 Pop)
- "Point It Out", Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (1969, No. 37 Pop)
- "Promise Me", Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (1969)
- "So Far", The Four Tops (1969)
- "The Hurt Is Over", Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (1969)
- "You Neglect Me"", Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (1969)
- "Flower Girl", Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (1970)
- "Precious Little Things", The Supremes (1972)
- "Baby Come Close", Smokey Robinson (1973, No. 27 Pop)
- "Just My Soul Responding", Smokey Robinson (1973)
- "Asleep on My Love", Smokey Robinson (1974)
- "Fulfill Your Need", Smokey Robinson (1974)
- "Just Passing Through", Smokey Robinson (1974)
- "Open", Smokey Robinson (1976, No. 81 Pop)
- "Madam X", Smokey Robinson (1978)
- "Cruisin'", Smokey Robinson (1979, No. 4 Pop)
- "I've Made Love To You A Thousand Times" (1983, No. 68 R&B)
- "Why Do Memories Hurt So Bad", Smokey Robinson (1987)
- "The Philly Dog", Earl Van Dyke
- "Baby I'm Glad Things Worked Out So Well", Marvin Gaye
- "Lost For Words", The Four Tops
Awards
- Tarplin, and the other Miracles (except Claudette), has been a multiple winner of The BMI Songwriters Award .[14]
- Tarplin, along with fellow Miracles ASCAP) for co- composing "The Tracks of My Tears".[15]
- British music magazine Mojo chose Tarplin as one of the '100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time'.[16]
- The Miracles (including Tarplin),were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fameon March 20, 2009.
- The Miracles, including Tarplin, were retroactively inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by a special committee in 2012.
References
- ^ "Miracles guitarist Marv Tarplin dies at 70". BBC. October 5, 2011.
- ^ Brown, G. (July 13, 2000). "After four decades, Robinson still smokin'". The Denver Post.
- ^ Williams, Richard (October 3, 2011). "Marv Tarplin obituary". The Guardian.
- ^ Williams, Richard (October 3, 2011). "Marv Tarplin obituary". The Guardian.
- ^ "We Remember Marv Tarplin: Miracles Guitarist Dies at 70 – EURweb". September 30, 2011. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved September 27, 2013.
- ^ "The Miracles Page".
- ^ "The Scoop LA " Blog Archive " Honors on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame".
- YouTube
- Independent.co.uk. October 5, 2011.
- ^ "Inductee explorer – Rock & Roll Hall of Fame".
- ^ "The Miracles – Future Rock Legends".
- ^ "Miracles guitarist Tarplin, co-writer of "Tracks of My Tears" dies at 70". Detroit News. September 30, 2011.[dead link]
- ^ McKinley, JAMES C. Jr. (October 4, 2011). "Marv Tarplin, Motown Guitarist and songwriter, Dies at 70". The New York Times.
This article appeared in print on October 5, 2011, on page B13 of the New York edition with the headline: Marv Tarplin, 70, Motown Guitarist And Songwriter.
- ^ Ebony. October 1971. p. 169.
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(help) - ^ Moore, Pete. "Awards". WBMM Enterprises LLC. Archived from the original on February 19, 2012.
- ^ Trynka, Paul; Irvin, Jim Irvin. "100 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time ....... and the greatest music they made".
Citing the June 1996 issue of MOJO magazine