Tarplin, Marv (13th June 1941-30th September 2011)

He was a guitarist and songwriter born in Atlanta, Georgia, who started out his music career when he was a teenager working with the group The Primettes.

They went for an audition at Motown Records where Smokey Robinson singled him out and asked him to join The Miracles. The Primettes also saw their own success with Motown and are better known today as The Supremes.

He joined The Miracles in 1958 and remained with them until just after Smokey Robinson left in 1973. The years he was with them saw them having hit after hit with songs, several of which he co-wrote, that include “You’ve Really Got a Hold On Me”, “Ooo Baby Baby”, “The Tracks of My Tears”, “Going to a Go-Go” and “The Tears of a Clown”. He is also the co-writer of “Ain’t That Peculiar” and “One More Hearthache” (which he also played guitar on) by Marvin Gaye.

After he left The Miracles Billy Griffin’s brother Donald replaced him. He continued to work in collaboration with Smokey Robinson as a performer and songwriter after he had launched his solo career and was the co-writer of his hits “Being With You” and “Cruisin’”.

Honoured several times for his work in music, he has been awarded the Award of Merit by ASCAP, been given the BMI Award for Songwriting on several occasions and been named one of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” by Mojo Magazine. He and The Miracles were also honoured by having their own star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame granted for 2009 and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2012.

Later he was paid tribute to by the singer-songwriter and guitarist Paul Cebar when he wrote “Marv’s Fluttering Guitar (For Marv Tarplin)” and continued to appear on tour with Smokey Robinson.

In September 2011 he passed away at his home in Las Vegas from undetermined causes.

Sources:

Tarplin, Marv (13th June 1941-30th September 2011)

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