The Miracles Quiz Questions and Answers
Q1. In what year was the vocal group that would become known as The Miracles originally formed in Detroit, Michigan?
A. 1953
B. 1955
C. 1957
D. 1959
Answer: B. 1955
Q2. What was the original name of the group before they became The Miracles?
A. The Matadors
B. The Five Chimes
C. The Dominoes
D. The Diablos
Answer: A. The Matadors
Q3. Who provided the name “The Miracles” to the group in 1958?
A. Smokey Robinson
B. Berry Gordy
C. Jackie Wilson
D. Marv Tarplin
Answer: B. Berry Gordy
Q4. Which member of The Miracles was replaced by his sister Claudette Rogers when he joined the U.S. Army in 1957?
A. Ronnie White
B. Pete Moore
C. Bobby Rogers
D. Emerson Rogers
Answer: D. Emerson Rogers
Q5. When did Smokey Robinson and Claudette Rogers marry, solidifying their roles in the group?
A. 1957
B. 1959
C. 1961
D. 1963
Answer: B. 1959
Q6. What was the debut single released by The Miracles in January 1958?
A. Shop Around
B. Bad Girl
C. Got a Job
D. Way Over There
Answer: C. Got a Job
Q7. Which record label initially released The Miracles’ first single “Got a Job”?
A. End Records
B. Motown
C. Tamla
D. Chess
Answer: A. End Records
Q8. What inspired Berry Gordy to form Tamla Records in 1959?
A. The success of “Bad Girl”
B. The Miracles’ early recordings
C. A hit by The Supremes
D. Jackie Wilson’s advice
Answer: B. The Miracles’ early recordings
Q9. Who joined The Miracles as guitarist in 1959, becoming a key collaborator with Smokey Robinson?
A. Ronnie White
B. Billy Griffin
C. Marv Tarplin
D. Donald Griffin
Answer: C. Marv Tarplin
Q10. What was The Miracles’ first single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching No. 93 in 1959?
A. Way Over There
B. Bad Girl
C. Got a Job
D. Who’s Lovin’ You
Answer: B. Bad Girl
Q11. Released in late 1960, what was The Miracles’ breakthrough hit that sold over a million copies?
A. Shop Around
B. The Tracks of My Tears
C. You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me
D. Ooo Baby Baby
Answer: A. Shop Around
Q12. What B-side to “Shop Around” became a staple for later artists like The Jackson 5?
A. I Second That Emotion
B. Who’s Lovin’ You
C. Mickey’s Monkey
D. Going to a Go-Go
Answer: B. Who’s Lovin’ You
Q13. In 1962, which Top 10 hit by The Miracles was inspired by Sam Cooke and later covered by The Beatles?
A. You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me
B. The Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage
C. If You Can Want
D. Special Occasion
Answer: A. You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me
Q14. What energetic 1963 dance hit by The Miracles reached the Top 10 on both pop and R&B charts?
A. Ooo Baby Baby
B. Mickey’s Monkey
C. The Tears of a Clown
D. More Love
Answer: B. Mickey’s Monkey
Q15. Released in 1965, which poignant Smokey Robinson ballad peaked at No. 4 on the R&B chart?
A. Going to a Go-Go
B. I Second That Emotion
C. Ooo Baby Baby
D. The Tracks of My Tears
Answer: C. Ooo Baby Baby
Q16. What 1965 album marked the first time The Miracles were billed as “Smokey Robinson & the Miracles”?
A. The Fabulous Miracles
B. Going to a Go-Go
C. Away We a Go-Go
D. Make It Happen
Answer: B. Going to a Go-Go
Q17. Which 1965 hit, often called one of the greatest Motown songs, uses the metaphor of a “clown” for hidden heartbreak?
A. The Tracks of My Tears
B. Special Occasion
C. Come Spy with Me
D. More Love
Answer: A. The Tracks of My Tears
Q18. What decision did Claudette Robinson make in 1964 that affected the group’s touring lineup?
A. She left the group entirely
B. She retired from touring in order to raise a family
C. She became the lead singer
D. She switched to guitar
Answer: B. She retired from touring in order to raise a family
Q19. Which 1966 B-side unexpectedly became a hit in the UK before charting in the US?
A. Come ‘Round Here
B. That’s What Love Is Made Of
C. If You Can Want
D. The Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage
Answer: A. Come ‘Round Here
Q20. What Top 10 hit from 1967 was inspired by a phrase Smokey Robinson overheard at a party?
A. Special Occasion
B. I Second That Emotion
C. More Love
D. Yester Love
Answer: B. I Second That Emotion
Q21. Recorded in 1967 but released as a single in 1970, what became The Miracles’ only No. 1 Hot 100 hit during Smokey’s tenure?
A. Baby Baby Don’t Cry
B. The Love I Saw in You Was Just a Mirage
C. The Tears of a Clown
D. Dancin’ On the Smooth Edge
Answer: C. The Tears of a Clown
Q22. What personal reason did Smokey Robinson cite for leaving The Miracles in 1972?
A. Creative differences with Berry Gordy
B. Exhaustion from touring
C. A desire to focus on Motown’s vice presidency
D. Health problems
Answer: C. A desire to focus on Motown’s vice presidency
Q23. Who replaced Smokey Robinson as lead singer of The Miracles in 1972?
A. Marv Tarplin
B. Billy Griffin
C. Ronnie White
D. Donald Griffin
Answer: B. Billy Griffin
Q24. What was the first major hit for The Miracles without Smokey Robinson, reaching Top 20 in 1973?
A. Do It Baby
B. Love Machine
C. Renaissance
D. Don’t Cha Love It
Answer: A. Do It Baby
Q25. In 1975, what disco-influenced single became The Miracles’ second No. 1 Hot 100 hit?
A. City of Angels
B. Love Machine (Part 1)
C. Spy for Brotherhood
D. Mean Machine
Answer: B. Love Machine (Part 1)