Billy Griffin
William L. "Billy" Griffin (born August 15, 1950 in Baltimore, Maryland) is an American singer and songwriter. He is best known for replacing Smokey Robinson as lead singer of The Miracles in 1972.
Biography
Griffin was born and raised in West Baltimore, Maryland, where he lived on Mount Holly Street. He attended Garrison Junior High School and Forest Park High School. He, like his brother Donald Griffin (1955-2015), (who later replaced Marv Tarplin in the Miracles), was a guitarist,as well as a singer, and sang with a local Baltimore group called The Last Dynasty. Damon Harris, who later went on to fame as a member of The Temptations, was a high school friend and group member in another local group, the Tempos. Griffin idolized Miracles lead singer Smokey Robinson, while Harris idolized Temptation Eddie Kendricks. Both of them wound up as replacements for their idols in their respective groups.
Griffin and three friends formed the group Last Dynasty and won a talent program on NBC Television. "It was like a pre-American Idol thing. My group won. We sang `Friendship Train' by Gladys Knight and the Pips," Griffin said. The Last Dynasty won a record deal from RCA as first prize, but never took it. The next week, Griffin was in Detroit, auditioning for Berry Gordy and the Motown executives. He was the 60th guy they brought in to audition to replace Smokey Robinson - and Griffin got the job.
Podcasts:
Billy Griffin
ALBUMS
- Respect released: 1983
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by Billy Griffin
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by Billy Griffin
Ultimate Collection: Billy Griffin
by: Billy GriffinMany times we been this way
Just two lovers walk in the rain
But you know it isn't like before
Darling, that's over, you said it's over
If we held each other near
Remembering the time, never fear
Why can't we make it feel the way it did
Darling, say it's over, won't you think it over
Hold me tighter in the rain, when it's through
Won't you hold me once again
Hold me tighter in the rain
`Cause I love you, say you love me if you can
Let me kiss you one more time
A pitter-patter to catch love in your mind
Remember how we used to play the games
Stealing kisses, walkin' in the rain
Oh, can I lead you one more time
Let me convince your heart, that you were mine
Take my hand and whisper that you'll stay
Help me pass this lonely night away
Oh, hold me tighter in the rain
When it's through, would you hold me once again
Just hold me tighter in the rain
I love you, say you love me if you can
Hold me tighter in the rain
When it's through, would you hold me once again
Hold me tighter in the rain
`Cause I love you, say you love me if you can
Stay, stay, stay, stay
Hold me tighter in the rain, my baby
Stay, stay, stay, stay
Hold me tighter in the rain
Hold on to love, hold on to me
Don't leave me in the rain
Won't you stay with me
Hold on to love, hold on to me
Don't leave me in the rain
Won't you stay with me
Stay-yay-yay, just say you'll stay
Hold me tighter in the rain, my baby
Stay-yay-yay, just say you'll stay
Hold me tighter in the rain
Just hold me baby
Just let me lady
Won't you let me baby
Next time you see me
Hold me tighter in the rain
Hold me tighter in the rain, my baby
Hold me tighter, one more time
Say you love me, if you can
Hold me tighter in the rain
Hold me tighter in the rain
Hold me tighter in the rain
Hold me tighter in the rain
Hold me tighter in the rain
Hold me tighter........FADE