Music
Marv Tarplin
1941–2011 · guitarist, songwriter
The Miracles' guitarist, who co-wrote "The Tracks of My Tears", "Ain't That Peculiar" and "Cruisin'" with Smokey Robinson.
- Born
Atlanta, Georgia- Died
Las Vegas, Nevada
aged 70- Birth name
- Marvin Tarplin
- Detroit years
- 1958–1972
- Field
- Music
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Tarplin first played guitar for a teenage Detroit girl group, the Primettes, the future Supremes, when they auditioned for Smokey Robinson. Robinson liked his playing so much that he brought him into the Miracles in 1958, and Tarplin stayed as long as Robinson led the group. His delicate, looping guitar figures, which the group compared to Curtis Mayfield's style, were the starting point for many Robinson songs: "The Tracks of My Tears", "My Girl Has Gone", "Going to a Go-Go" and "I Like It Like That" for the Miracles, and "Ain't That Peculiar" and "I'll Be Doggone" for Marvin Gaye. He also played on the Four Tops' "Still Water (Love)". After leaving the Miracles in 1973 he kept writing and touring with Robinson, co-writing "Cruisin'" and "Being with You". He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Miracles in 2012.
Highlights
- Miracles guitarist from 1958 to 1973
- Co-wrote "The Tracks of My Tears" (Grammy Hall of Fame)
- Co-wrote Marvin Gaye's "Ain't That Peculiar" and "I'll Be Doggone"
- Co-wrote Smokey Robinson's "Cruisin'" and "Being with You"
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2012 with the Miracles
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 2
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.