Happy Landing
Encyclopedia
Happy Landing was a 1962 R&B recording by Motown Records singing group The Miracles
, issued on that label's Tamla Records subsidiary label (T54073). It was recorded in November of 1962, and appeared on their album The Fabulous Miracles
. The group also recorded a live version of this song on their first live album, 1963's The Miracles Recorded Live on Stage
.
Written by Miracles members Smokey Robinson
and Ronnie White
, Happy Landing was originally conceived as the "A" side of Tamla 54073, and was the first single issued from the album The Fabulous Miracles. American DJs, however, preferred the "B" side, You've Really Got a Hold on Me
, which went on to become one of The Miracles' most successful songs, their second million-seller (after Shop Around
), and a 1998 Grammy Hall of Fame
inductee.
The song, in addition to being on the aforementioned Miracles' albums, also appears on the group's 4 CD 35th Anniversary Collection and on their 2 CD set, The Miracles – Depend On Me: The Early Albums, and has inspired a cover version by The Temptations
.
Personnel - The Miracles
The Miracles
The Miracles are an American rhythm and blues group from Detroit, Michigan, notable as the first successful group act for Berry Gordy's Motown Record Corporation . Their single "Shop Around" was Motown's first million-selling hit record, and the group went on to become one of Motown's signature...
, issued on that label's Tamla Records subsidiary label (T54073). It was recorded in November of 1962, and appeared on their album The Fabulous Miracles
The Fabulous Miracles
The Fabulous Miracles is a 1963 album by The Miracles featuring the million-selling hit, "You've Really Got a Hold on Me", one of the group's most popular singles...
. The group also recorded a live version of this song on their first live album, 1963's The Miracles Recorded Live on Stage
The Miracles Recorded Live on Stage
The Miracles Recorded Live on Stage is a 1963 live album by The Miracles, part of the early 60's Motown "Live on Stage" series by various artists...
.
Written by Miracles members Smokey Robinson
Smokey Robinson
William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
and Ronnie White
Ronald White
Ronald "Ronnie" White was an African American soul singer and songwriter, notable as a founding member of The Miracles, and the only member to survive all of that group's line-up changes...
, Happy Landing was originally conceived as the "A" side of Tamla 54073, and was the first single issued from the album The Fabulous Miracles. American DJs, however, preferred the "B" side, You've Really Got a Hold on Me
You've Really Got a Hold on Me
"You've Really Got a Hold on Me" is a 1962 Top 10 hit single by The Miracles for the Tamla label. One of the group's most covered tunes, this million-selling song is a 1998 Grammy Hall of Fame inductee...
, which went on to become one of The Miracles' most successful songs, their second million-seller (after Shop Around
Shop Around
"Shop Around" is a 1960 single by The Miracles for the Tamla label, catalog number T 54034. It is notable as being the label's first #1 hit on the Billboard magazine R&B singles chart, and also hit #2 on the Hot 100....
), and a 1998 Grammy Hall of Fame
Grammy Hall of Fame Award
The Grammy Hall of Fame Award is a special Grammy award established in 1973 to honor recordings that are at least twenty-five years old and that have "qualitative or historical significance"...
inductee.
The song, in addition to being on the aforementioned Miracles' albums, also appears on the group's 4 CD 35th Anniversary Collection and on their 2 CD set, The Miracles – Depend On Me: The Early Albums, and has inspired a cover version by The Temptations
The Temptations
The Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,...
.
Personnel - The MiraclesThe MiraclesThe Miracles are an American rhythm and blues group from Detroit, Michigan, notable as the first successful group act for Berry Gordy's Motown Record Corporation . Their single "Shop Around" was Motown's first million-selling hit record, and the group went on to become one of Motown's signature...
- Smokey RobinsonSmokey RobinsonWilliam "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
- Lead vocals, Co-writer, producer - Bobby RogersBobby RogersBobby Rogers is an American soul singer and songwriter, notable as a member of Motown Records' first signed act and first million selling group The Miracles from 1956 to present. He is also the grandfather of R&B singer Brandi Williams from R&B girl group Blaque-Life:Rogers is the son of the late...
- Background vocals - Pete MoorePete MoorePete Moore is an African American soul singer, record producer, and songwriter, notable as the bass singer for Motown group The Miracles from 1955 onwards, and is one of the group's original members...
- (absent due to military service) - Claudette Robinson - Background vocals
- Ronnie White - Background vocals, Co-writer
- Marv TarplinMarv TarplinMarvin "Marv" Tarplin was an American guitarist and songwriter, best known as the guitarist for The Miracles from the 1950s through the early 1970s. He was one of the group's original members and co-wrote several of their biggest hits, including the 2007 Grammy Hall Of Fame inducted "The Tracks...
- Guitar