Smokey Robinson - File

LOS ANGELES (AP):

Legendary Motown singer/songwriter Smokey Robinson is being honoured for his contributions to the miracle of education.

Robinson, who helped put the fledgling Motown record label on the map in the early 1960s with his group the Miracles, is receiving the United Negro College Fund's award of excellence.

"The award honours Smokey not only for his five-decade career as a creative artiste, but also for the contribution he has made to helping students get the college education they need and deserve," said Michael L. Lomax, the group's president and CEO.

Previous winners include Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones and the late Lou Rawls.

Robinson, 67, was receiving the award on Saturday night at the taping of the group's 29th annual 'Evening of Stars' concert at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. The show is to be broadcast sometime in January.

Robinson shot to fame as the frontman for the Miracles, giving Motown its first No. 1 R&B hit with Shop Around in 1960. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.