Claudette Anette Robinson: Miracles Backup Singer / Super Matriarch / Generous Caretaker / Joyful Noise

Sagewolf Interviews

@firstladyofmotown
linktr.ee/ClaudetteRobinson
Coming Up! April 23-24, 2022
LA Times Festival of Books at USC, Booth 100
Signing for her book “Claudette’s Miraculous Motown Adventure”
The scene:
We are in Claudette’s home in Beverly Hills, CA, sitting together in her office, after a tour through some of the significant items from her life. Claudette is a magnificent storyteller. She speaks with ease and a close attention to detail and chronology. Her life is fascinating! Join us for her unique journey through the Marines, the Miracles, Mothering, and Grandmothering.
Highlights:
+ Claudette is the “First Lady of Motown” - the first woman ever signed to Motown Records
+ First job at 12-yrs old typing letters for fundraising for $0.50 per hour
+ Quit college to be a “Private Secretary” to the downtown YMCA in Detroit Michigan
+ Graduated from high school at 15 (double-promoted three times in school)
+ She wanted to be a teacher, to help other people, and loves children
+ First royalty check was $3.19 - to split between all 5 band members
+ Receiving a key - or two - from the City of Detroit
+ She doesn’t display her awards so people who visit just see her for her
+ Grandmother and mother gave her a sense of self - a value of self
+ “Inside, I’m very tall” - you can be as tall as you want inside
+ Claudette has decided she will live to be 150 years-old
+ She’d like to go to the moon, when it’s safe
+ Being greeted with a shotgun when trying to check into a hotel in the South
+ Getting lost trying to find where you’re performing
+ Old school marketing: manager puts up posters the night before
+ Airplane travel was not an affordable option - 6 people in a car was
+ Not being taken seriously as new band “kids”
+ The norm was 4 shows in 1 day
+ Making $750/week, 4 shows/day
+ Required to join the union but couldn’t pay for it until they performed each night
+ AGVA - American Guild of Variety Artists - is now SAGAFTRA
+ Biggest passions: loving to love and be loved
+ Takes great pride in her children and grandchildren
+ She wanted to be a nun after going to Catholic elementary school
+ Was in the Marine Corps Reserves - mom wanted to keep her out of danger
+ Looking out for your neighbors <3
+ A cute visit from Lyric, Claudette’s oldest granddaughter, during our interview
+ Every time Claudette looks at me, she sees my son Kaya in my expressions <3
+ Every time Claudette smiles, I see her daughter Tamla in her expressions <3
+ Claudette’s life is very different from the one that is portrayed online
+ Claudette is writing a book about her life - in her own words
+ Ghostwriters trying to write a false story to get more press
+ She’s not from the projects and she’s not a recovering addict
+ “My doctor tells me I’m perfect, and I believe him” :)
+ The Kardashians can get away with a sex tape, but not in her day
+ We don’t say shy, we say reserved
+ We can all try to be a little better than we were yesterday
+ Caring and loving and extending ourselves is what we all need
+ Younger self: stay encouraged, don’t let anyone hold you back from your dreams
A taste:
“It was fun. We were young enough where the adventure didn’t… We didn’t know what to expect, we didn’t know what was going to happen. All we knew is that we cared about each other, we wanted to protect each other and to do the best job that we knew how to do.”
Favorite saying:
“I love you more.”

Support the show

Thank you for listening!
Please subscribe to support this project.
Love, Sagewolf xoxo