Motown legend Smokey Robinson was the special guest at the 2010 South By Southwest Music + Media Conference on Thursday (18th), and entertained the audience with various stories from his eventful career.
Amongst other things, Smokey spoke of his early days in Motown and of starting his own music label, as well as discussing his legacy: “I think how wonderful that this music is 300 years old or 400 years old, and we’re still listening to it,” he said. “I want to be Beethoven. I want to be Mozart, I want people to be listening to those songs 300 years from now.”
Smokey also revealed he has no plans to retire from music and had some words of advice for today’s up and coming stars: “”I don’t ever plan on not doing concerts. I’m going to be the George Burns of this,” he joked.
To young musicans he said: “You did not start (music), and you will not finish it – I’ve always kept that thought in mind. I never trip on Smokey Robinson. I always remember I’m Smokey Robinson from the hood in Detroit, and I’m fortunate and blessed to be able to do what I do. I’m never going to forget that, ever. Keep your feet on the ground, and keep a thick skin.”
Look out for interviews and photos from this year’s SXSW coming soon on Live4ever.
