Two singers of soul - and songwriters, both born 19 February on the cusp of Aquarius and Pisces. Because they were born on opposite sides of the Atlantic ocean, without accurate times of birth it's not clear in which zodiac sign their natal Suns lay. Birth times are elusive, so 12 noon charts must suffice. Moon positions and rising signs will not be accurate as shown.
Both singers are known by names other than their actual given names, neither had an idyllic childhood. Smokey, or Smokey Joe, was a nickname of young William Robinson, given to him by an uncle - reportedly because young William was light-skinned and his uncle wanted him to remember that his roots are African. By age 10 he was an orphan, father had left when William was just 3, mother died, and he was brought up by an older sister and relatives.
Smokey Robinson born in Detroit, Michigan on 19 February 1940.
Smokey Robinson comes over to me as the gentlest of guys. After 7pm on his date of birth Sun would have moved into Pisces. I'd not be surprised if his Sun were (just) in Pisces, along with natal Mercury. His natal Moon lay in Cancer whatever time he was born, and Cancer is another sensitive and gentle, Watery sign. Venus (the arts) and Jupiter (publication) are conjoined in Aries, sign of the energetic go-getter. Saturn and Mars conjoined at the late degree of Aries/early degree of Venus-ruled Taurus signify a blend of energy, discipline and and business-savvy which has kept Smokey Robinson in the public eye for over 40 years, from early days with The Miracles, Tamla Records and association with close friend and mentor Berry Gordy, to a solo career with a variety of honors, national and international during the decades just past.
Seal's proper name is Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel, born in the UK of Nigerian and Brazilian parents, later adopted. Seal had a difficult childhood, suffering abuse and illness. Scars left on his cheeks are a result of a skin ailment. He accepts these now as his "trademark" and feels glad of them.
Seal born in London, UK on 19 February 1963.
If born before 6am on 19th February Seal would have natal Sun in Aquarius's last degree with Saturn and Mercury also in that sign; born later, Sun in Pisces, along with Jupiter, in its own traditional home sign. He tells, in interview HERE, that he considers himself a "lucky" person - perhaps a reflection of a strong Jupiter placing :
Don't Know Why - Smokey Robinson - a recent recording of a song better known for the rendition by Nora Jones - I love Smokey's version!
A Change is Gonna Come sung by Seal - a super version of a great song!
Both singers are known by names other than their actual given names, neither had an idyllic childhood. Smokey, or Smokey Joe, was a nickname of young William Robinson, given to him by an uncle - reportedly because young William was light-skinned and his uncle wanted him to remember that his roots are African. By age 10 he was an orphan, father had left when William was just 3, mother died, and he was brought up by an older sister and relatives.
Smokey Robinson born in Detroit, Michigan on 19 February 1940.
Smokey Robinson comes over to me as the gentlest of guys. After 7pm on his date of birth Sun would have moved into Pisces. I'd not be surprised if his Sun were (just) in Pisces, along with natal Mercury. His natal Moon lay in Cancer whatever time he was born, and Cancer is another sensitive and gentle, Watery sign. Venus (the arts) and Jupiter (publication) are conjoined in Aries, sign of the energetic go-getter. Saturn and Mars conjoined at the late degree of Aries/early degree of Venus-ruled Taurus signify a blend of energy, discipline and and business-savvy which has kept Smokey Robinson in the public eye for over 40 years, from early days with The Miracles, Tamla Records and association with close friend and mentor Berry Gordy, to a solo career with a variety of honors, national and international during the decades just past.
Seal's proper name is Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel, born in the UK of Nigerian and Brazilian parents, later adopted. Seal had a difficult childhood, suffering abuse and illness. Scars left on his cheeks are a result of a skin ailment. He accepts these now as his "trademark" and feels glad of them.
Seal born in London, UK on 19 February 1963.
If born before 6am on 19th February Seal would have natal Sun in Aquarius's last degree with Saturn and Mercury also in that sign; born later, Sun in Pisces, along with Jupiter, in its own traditional home sign. He tells, in interview HERE, that he considers himself a "lucky" person - perhaps a reflection of a strong Jupiter placing :"I had a really heavy duty car crash in California.... I nearly flew off a canyon on to a freeway a hundred feet below at peak hour. The car was completely written off and, miraculously, I walked away virtually unscathed. Then I got double pneumonia. The doctors said it was touch and go at one stage but I came out of that unscathed too, with no scarring on my lungs or anything. Then there was a shooting right in front of me on [Hollywood's] Sunset Boulevard."His success, while not happening overnight has been comparatively rapid:
"Five years ago I would get annoyed when my dole [unemployment] check arrived a day late. The next thing I know, I'm getting pissed off if my limo didn't turn up."Born before 9am his natal Moon would have been in late Sagittarius; otherwise, in common sense, business-minded Capricorn. So with Sun in either Aquarius or Pisces and Moon in either Sagittarius or Capricorn, with no knowledge of his rising sign, it's not easy to assess this guy's personality. He has to have been resilient to overcome the problems of his childhood, he mentions a trip to India :
After a jaunt with a Thailand blues group, he made his way to India and there had what he called "a few spiritual experiences." The happiness he felt there, he insisted, bestowed a calm and contentment about his future and allowed him to stop wanting a record deal so fervently. He believes this is why he soon got one.I'd take a (risky) guess at Sun in Pisces, Moon in Sagittarius.
Don't Know Why - Smokey Robinson - a recent recording of a song better known for the rendition by Nora Jones - I love Smokey's version!
A Change is Gonna Come sung by Seal - a super version of a great song!
Oh thanks for this, T, 2 of my favourites, such great bluesy voices. I discovered Smokey way back and Seal has been a recent pleasure.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
I'm with you both on these 2 singers though I only have Seal's first album on CD. I was a big fan of Motown records in the 70s and Seal was more late 80s/90s.
ReplyDeleteI think Seal's face was affected by a virus infection, a form of Lupus, that wasn't treated properly when he was younger but that doesn't detract from his persona one bit and I love his voice. I'll have to dig out his CD and have a listen again.
He married the german model Heidi Klum when she was still pregnant with Flavio Briatore's child (FI motor racing boss) and has brought her up as his own. Think they've had another 3 children of their own since then.
Another all time great is over here at the moment, George Benson. Just in time for Valentine's Day and he's released an album of love songs.
WWW ~~~ Yes, definitely two goodies! :-)
ReplyDeleteRossa ~~~ Yes - they're a generation apart, but I think they both have appeal for all generations....kind of timeless, unlike some other musical genres.
ReplyDeleteGeorge Benson - similarly timeless. :-)
Yes, Seal has a gorgeous wife too!
Ah, Smokey! If there is a Heaven, that's the voice that will be on the eternal soundtrack!! :-)
ReplyDelete70 years old and the new album, "Time Flies When You're Having Fun," sounds like it was cut when he was 25 and in the midst of becoming legendary. There's a wonderful Smokey album called "A Quiet Storm" that came out in '75 that didn't have any hits on it but has become a standard of Smokey smoothness.
And Seal isn't too bad, either!
"Change is Gonna Come" reminds of the tragedy of Sam Cook, who was just emerging as a song-writer capable of such lyrics ... and then he died! Fickle Irony.
ReplyDeleteSeal does a nice version, but of course, the transcendent version, in my 'umble opinion, is by Otis Redding.
TNPOTUS ~~ But in my version of "Heaven" Mr. Sinatra will be in charge of the music - Smokey R. will make a good understudy though. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI didn't realise Sam Cooke died so young. His song "Change...." is so good - as long as its sung with sincerity, as it usually is, it's hard to fault any vocalist who attempts it. I'll go have a listen to Otis Redding's version.
Let me break this down to be more precise: Smokey Robinson's voice is that of the angelic chorus that provides the eternal soundtrack in Heaven. Mr. Sinatra, of course, is the Voice of God, who steps in occasionally to sing the solos!!
ReplyDeleteAt the same time, Merle Haggard has said Vince Gill is the Voice of God, while Kris Kristofferson has suggested Johnny Cash is the Voice of God.
As always with religion, it comes down to sects and denominations, eh?!?! :-)
Yeah - start talking about "Heaven" & a well-sected minefield opens up. ;-)
ReplyDeleteHmmm - all names mentioned so far are male - I reckon Ella would have to be in there somewhere, just behind Mr. Sinatra.