He was one of The Miracles original members and co-wrote several of their hits, including “The Tracks of My Tears”.
BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS
Full Name: Marvin Tarplin
NickName: “Marv”
Description: Guitarist, songwriter
Known For: The guitarist for The Miracles
Instruments: Guitar
Music Styles: Soul
Location: United States of America
Date Born: 13th June 1941
Location Born: Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
Date Died: 30th September 2011
Location Died: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States of America
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BIOGRAPHICAL PROFILE
Marv Tarplin
Marvin “Marv” Tarplin (June 13, 1941 – September 30, 2011) 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 1965 Grammy Hall Of Fame inducted “The Tracks of My Tears”. He is also a winner of the BMI Songwriter’s Award, and the ASCAP Award Of Merit, and a 2012 posthumous inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Miracles.
An American guitarist and songwriter, best known as the guitarist for The Miracles during the 1950s through the early 1970s.
He was one of the group’s original members and co-wrote several of their hits, including “The Tracks of My Tears”.
Tarplin began his career accompanying a teenage Detroit, Michigan girl group known as The Primettes (later The Supremes).
The Primettes sought an audition with Motown Records, and Tarplin played guitar as they performed for Miracles lead singer Smokey Robinson.
Robinson was impressed by Tarplin’s guitar playing, and lured him away from the Primettes to join The Miracles. Tarplin joined The Miracles in 1958.
In the 2006 Motown DVD release, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles: The Definitive Performances 1963-1987, Robinson and fellow Miracles Pete Moore and Bobby Rogers commented that Tarplin’s unique guitar playing style was reminiscent of the late Curtis Mayfield, and was the inspiration behind many of their greatest hits.
Tarplin is also pictured on the cover of the 2009 Motown CD release, The Miracles-Depend On Me:The Early Albums (2009).
Tarplin retired from touring in 2008.
Tarplin’s died in Las Vegas, September 30, 2011.
Three years after leaving Robinson, Tarplin died in his Las Vegas home of undetermined causes on September 30, 2011. He was 70. Tarplin and his former wife Sylvia (who died in 2004) had a daughter named Talese. He also had two other daughters, Eboney and Lisa, from another relationship.
Compositions
Tarplin wrote the music for numerous songs, including several of Motown’s biggest hits. Here is a partial list:
“I Can’t Believe”, The Miracles (1962)
“I Like It Like That”, The Miracles (1964, #27 Pop)
“You’re So Fine And Sweet”, The Miracles
“Come On Do The Jerk”, The Miracles (1964, # 50 Pop, #22 R&B)
“Ain’t That Peculiar”, Marvin Gaye (1965, #8 Pop, #1 R&B)
“The Tracks Of My Tears”, The Miracles (1965, #16 Pop, #2 R&B)
“My Girl Has Gone”, The Miracles (1965, #14 Pop, #3 R&B)
“Going To A Go-Go”, The Miracles (1965, #11 Pop, #2 R&B)
“My Business, Your Pleasure”, The Miracles
“One More Heartache”, Marvin Gaye (1966, #29 Pop, #4 R&B)
“Take This Heart of Mine”, Marvin Gaye (1966, #44 Pop)
“I’ll Be Doggone”, Marvin Gaye (1966 # 1 R&B, # 8 Pop)
“You’re Not An Ordinary Girl”, The Temptations (1966)
“The Love I Saw In You Was Just A Mirage”, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (1967, #20 Pop, #10 R&B)
Dancing’s Alright”, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (1967)
“Doggone Right”, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (1969, #32 Pop)
“Point It Out”, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (1969, #37 Pop)
“Promise Me”, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (1969)
“So Far”, The Four Tops (1969)
“The Hurt Is Over”, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (1969)
“You Neglect Me””, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (1969)
“Flower Girl”, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (1970)
“Precious Little Things”, The Supremes (1972)
“Baby Come Close”, Smokey Robinson (1973, #27 Pop)
“Just My Soul Responding”, Smokey Robinson (1973)
“Asleep On My Love”, Smokey Robinson (1974)
“Fulfill Your Need”, Smokey Robinson (1974)
“Just Passing Through”, Smokey Robinson (1974)
“Open”, Smokey Robinson (1976, #81 Pop)
“Madam X”, Smokey Robinson (1978)
“Cruisin'”, Smokey Robinson (1979, #4 Pop)
“I’ve Made Love To You A Thousand Times” (1983, #68 R&B)
“Why Do Memories Hurt So Bad”, Smokey Robinson (1987)
“The Philly Dog”, Earl Van Dyke
“Baby I’m Glad Things Worked Out So Well”, Marvin Gaye
“Lost For Words”, The Four Tops