- Sugar Chile Robinson is an African American self-taught piano player and Jazz musician
- The hitmaker left music to pursue education but he never achieved the same success in his comeback
- The 85-year-old Michigan native lost his fortune due to many misfortunes in life
Sugar Chile Robinson reeled out sensational music that saw him visit the white house twice to entertain two American presidents. The Michigan-born pianist and jazz musician apparently gained wide acclaim for his stellar performance and a great gift.
He is not a widely circulated act despite all the years he invested in his career, yet, there was a time artist’s like Stevie Wonder were compared to him. However, he suffered many misfortunes that almost cost him all his years of hard work and gifting.
A Look Into The Life Of Sugar Chile Robinson
Born Frank Isaac Robinson on December 28, 1938, in Michigan, he is referred to by his lifelong moniker Sugar Chile Robinson. As per how he came about such a nickname, Frank’s mother gave him the name in relation to his talent.
He is the youngest of the seven children born to Clarance Robinson and his wife, Elizabeth Robinson. ‘Sugar’s’ unusual musical gifting was noticeable from a young age. However, it is not clear if other members of his family had any musical talents or inclinations.
He attended Northern High School and graduated at the age of 15 while still performing.
How Did He Become Famous?
Having launched a career at a tender age, it was not long before Robinson became a sought-after performer. Outside the jazz music he did, Robinson found his way to the radio and the screen.
His music breakout dates back to 1949 when he did his first song titled Numbers Boogie under the Capitol Records. The song reached number 14 on the Billboard R&B chart. It was followed by another hit, Caldonia. This paved the way for other work as he collaborated with Leonard Bibb, Jimmy Richardson, Red Saunters, Count Basie, and Billie Holiday among many others.
Though he could not go on tour with names like Lionel Hampton because child legislation kicked against it. The opportunity would later present itself when years later, he performed on radio with him and The Hipster Gibson. Going forward, he did more recordings in 1952 when he was just twelve years old.
Among his numerous stops was his work at WGPR TV, one of America’s first black-owned and operated television stations. The Detroit-based station ran from 1975 to 1995 before it shut down.
Notably, he was given permission to join the American Federation of Musicians.
Sugar Chile Robinson Tracking List
He recorded quite a number of successful songs in his active years. These include;
- Vooey, Vooey Vay
- After school Blues
- Say, Little Girl
- Bouncing Ball Boogie
- Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- Sticks and Stones
- The Bases Were Loaded
- BrokeDown Piano
- I’ll Eat my spinach
- Baby Blues
- The Donkey Song
- The Hunkie Man
- Whop, Whop
- Lazy Boys Boogie
- Frustration Boogie
- Go, Boy, Go
- Hum-Drum Boogie
What Really Happened To Sugar Chile Robinson?
The former child prodigy’s later life is not as glossy as his beginning. Reportedly, he encountered many misfortunes including the loss of his home to a fire in 2013.
The unfortunate circumstance led to his living in an apartment without beds for five years. His situation was dire enough that he and his niece whom he shared an apartment had to use blowup beds while surviving on a few hundred dollars each month.
This is now water under the bridge as the Music Makers Relieve Foundation came to his aid by providing them with supplies as well as placing him on stipends.
Other Elusive Facts About Sugar Chile Robinson
1. The Child Prodigy Won A Talent Show At The Age of Three
Sugar Chile Robinson was never taught how to play the piano but this did not stop him from being a star. He is said to have started playing by the age of two and at three, many accolades were already trailing his path.
He won a talent show that ran at the Paradise Theatre in Detroit announcing his presence to a wide audience. As soon as he turned 7, he became a performer at the theatre.
2. He Was Invited To The White House By Two American President
The self-taught pianist is the first African American to perform at the WHCA dinner. He was first invited in 1946 and he played for President Harry S. Truman, the 33rd president of the US.
That performance was notable as it created a new phrase around the talented guitarist after he asked the President ‘How’m I doing Mr. President?’
His attendance at the white house was repeated when Barrack Obama became president. The historical event is not lost on both great men. First, Robinson was the first African American to perform at the white while Obama was the first President of African American descent.
The then 77-year-old had a good reception but there are many speculations that suggest he may not have been well paid for his performance.
3. Sugar Chile Robinson Ditched Music To Pursue Education
Despite the high reception his performance drew, Robinson found something wanting in his life. He stopped recording in 1952 to fulfill the ambition of attaining an academic qualification.
After asking his dad if he could quit music, Robinson proceeded to college. He earned a degree in History from Olivet College. His zeal for education led to yet another degree in psychology from the Detroit Institute of Technology.
4. Sugar Chile Robinson Net Worth
The gifted musician never revealed how much he earned from his career. Yet many sources are reporting that he was swindled out of his earnings.
While his lawyer is alleged to have been the mastermind and executor of such an act before vanishing into thin air, the reality left Robinson impoverished.
See Also: 15 Best Songs About Time
5. Where Is Sugar Chile Robinson Now?
The 85-year-old is alive despite the many struggles he encountered in his life. He has gone through unfortunate luck such as failing health that attracted the attention of the church as well as the Music Maker Relief Foundation. As it is, he tried relaunching a music comeback with the aid of the American Music Research Foundation.
Subsequently, he appeared alongside other acts and at different concerts and festivals in Detroit and London. In fact, he got a piano from Buddy Smith, one of the many musicians that were influenced by him.
He was inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame in 2016.
