Vocalist from West Baltimore. Former lead singer of the Tempros (see Capris featuring the Tempros), and later the Last Dynasty. Griffin’s former bandmate Otis Harris (ex-Tempros) was working with Motown’s Temptations when he heard that Smokey Robinson would be leaving the Miracles to pursue a solo career. Harris contacted the Miracles about his friend back in Baltimore. Billy was brought in for an audition and was chosen as the Miracles new lead vocalist in 1972.
Billy Griffin from his 1985 LP “Systematic” (Columbia Records)
Griffin sang lead on the Miracles hits including the 1975 #1 “Love Machine,” which he also co-wrote along with Pete Moore. The last two Miracles hits were on the Columbia label billed as The Miracles featuring Billy Griffin. In the ‘80s Billy also had several solo hits on Columbia and Atlantic labels.
The Miracles with Billy Griffin.
Motown Records. U.K. picture sleeve.
Billy Griffin’s single releases with the Miracles:
1973 Tamla 54237 Don’t Let It End (Til You Let It Begin) / Wigs and Lashes
1973 Tamla 54240 Give Me Just Another Day / I Wanna Be with You
1974 Tamla 54248 Do It Baby / Trust Your Heart
1974 Tamla 54256 Don’t Cha Love It / The Thin Man
1975 Tamla 54259 Gemini / You Are Love
1975 Tamla 54262 Love Machine (Pt. 1) / (Pt. 2)
1976 Tamla 54268 Night Life / Smog
Singles as the Miracles featuring Billy Griffin:
1977 Columbia 10464 Spy for Brotherhood / The Bird Must Fly Away
1978 Columbia 10706 Mean Machine / The Magic of Your Eyes
Solo singles by Billy Griffin:
1983 Columbia 04102 Respect / Don’t Stop Lovin’ Me
1984 Columbia 04321 Serious / Don’t Stop Lovin’ Me
1983 Columbia 04444 Save Your Love for Me / So Many Ways
1985 Columbia 05453 If I Ever Lose This Heaven
1986 Atlantic 89374 Believe It or Not
Albums by Billy Griffin:
1982 Columbia 37745 Be with Me
1983 Columbia 38924 Respect
1985 Columbia 39907 Systematic
1996 Hot Productions The Best of Billy Griffin
2001 Billy Griffin 2001
2006 Expansion Records Like Water
