Miracles co-founder Warren ‘Pete’ Moore dead at 78

Warren Moore, the co-founder of Smokey Robinson’s soul supergroup the Miracles, has died, aged 78.
The singer died on Sunday (19Nov17), and his death has been confirmed by Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, who was celebrating Diana Ross’ Lifetime Achievement win at the American Music Awards when he heard the sad news.
In a statement to Rolling Stone, he writes: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Warren ‘Pete’ Moore, a fine human being and valued member of the Motown family.
“Pete was an original member of my very first group, the Miracles. He was a quiet spirit with a wonderful Bass voice behind Smokey Robinson’s soft, distinctive lead vocals, and was co-writer on several of the Miracles hits.”
Moore and Robinson grew up together in Detroit, Michigan in the 1950s, and became members of the Matadors before changing the band’s name to the Miracles.
Moore co-wrote the band’s classic soul hits Love Machine, The Tears Of A Clown, and The Tracks of My Tears, and also tasted success as the writer of tracks recorded by The Temptations and Marvin Gaye.
He became a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, alongside his Miracles bandmates, in 2012.