Music
Ronnie White
1938–1995 · singer, songwriter
Detroit-born co-founder of the Miracles who co-wrote "My Girl" and brought the young Stevie Wonder to Motown's attention.
- Born
Detroit, Michigan- Died
Detroit, Michigan
aged 57- Birth name
- Ronald Anthony White
- Also known as
- Ronald White
- Detroit years
- 1938–1995
- Field
- Music
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
White grew up in Detroit and began singing with his childhood friend Smokey Robinson when he was 12; with Pete Moore, Bobby Rogers and Sonny Rogers they formed the Matadors in 1955, soon renamed the Miracles. After a failed audition at Brunswick they met Berry Gordy and became Motown's first successful group. White sang baritone, sometimes duetted with Robinson as Ron & Bill, and helped write hits: the Temptations' "My Girl", the Miracles' "My Girl Has Gone" and "Don't Look Back", Mary Wells's "You Beat Me to the Punch" and Marvin Gaye's "One More Heartache". He is credited with bringing Stevie Wonder, then a Detroit schoolboy, to Motown. He was the one original member who stayed in the Miracles throughout, reviving the group in 1980 and 1993, and he died of leukemia in 1995. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the group in 2012.
Highlights
- Co-founder of the Miracles (1955)
- Co-wrote "My Girl" (Grammy Hall of Fame 1998)
- Co-wrote "You Beat Me to the Punch" for Mary Wells
- Brought Stevie Wonder to Motown
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2012 with the Miracles
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 3
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Recorded here · 1958–1972
Motown Museum
The Miracles, Motown's first successful group, recorded their hits in Studio A.
Performed here · 1960s
Graystone Ballroom
Demolished · 1922–1980
The Miracles were among the Motown acts who played the ballroom, which Berry Gordy bought in 1963. Demolished in 1980.
Buried here · 1995
Woodlawn Cemetery
His grave (per Wikidata).