Steven Tyler Calls Smokey Robinson A National Treasure

On January 25, 2026, the world of music paused for a moment as Steven Tyler, the legendary frontman of Aerosmith, publicly praised Smokey Robinson, referring to him as a "national treasure." The tribute, reported by both El Balad and Filmogaz, underscored the profound influence Robinson has had not only on Tyler’s career but on the broader landscape of rock, R&B, and pop music. For Tyler, whose own career has spanned decades and inspired generations, the acknowledgment was both personal and emblematic of the deep-rooted connections that tie together the greats of modern music.

Tyler’s admiration for Robinson is anything but fleeting. In interviews highlighted by El Balad, Tyler credited Smokey Robinson’s emotional vocal style as a major influence on his own singing and Aerosmith’s signature sound. "It’s the emotion in his voice that gets you," Tyler has often said, a sentiment echoed by countless musicians who grew up listening to the Motown great. Robinson’s classics, such as "Ooh Baby Baby" and "You Really Got A Hold On Me," captivated Tyler from an early age, leaving an indelible mark on his approach to music and performance.

But what is it about Robinson’s voice that so deeply resonated with Tyler? According to Filmogaz, Tyler respects Robinson’s ability to convey powerful emotion without ever straining his voice. This subtlety, the ability to prioritize feeling over vocal fireworks, became a guiding principle for Tyler as he developed his own style. "Smokey Robinson taught me that it’s not about how loud you sing, but how much you feel," Tyler has remarked. This approach shines through in Aerosmith’s ballads, particularly in hits like "Crazy," where the emotional delivery is front and center.

Of course, Tyler’s influences are not limited to Robinson alone. The Aerosmith sound is a rich tapestry, woven from threads of blues, R&B, and rock. Tyler has long acknowledged the impact of blues legends like Howlin’ Wolf, whose raw emotional delivery inspired Tyler to explore the depths of his own voice. Janis Joplin, with her uninhibited vocal expressions, also played a pivotal role. Tyler admired Joplin’s willingness to push boundaries, a quality that would become a hallmark of his own performances.

James Brown’s rhythmic sensibilities and the broader Motown sound left their mark as well. As Tyler told El Balad, "You can hear the blues in ‘Walk This Way,’ but you can also feel the groove that comes from Motown." The band’s melodic style, meanwhile, owes much to the songwriting brilliance of Lennon and McCartney. Yet, as Filmogaz points out, while fans often trace Aerosmith’s roots to The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, Tyler himself is quick to emphasize the emotional depth brought by Motown vocal techniques, especially those popularized by Robinson.

Robinson’s influence extends beyond technique. Tyler admires the lyrical brilliance found in Robinson’s work, especially the opening lines of his songs. For Tyler, these lyrics are more than just words—they’re an invitation into a world of feeling and storytelling. The emotional connection forged by Robinson’s music inspired Tyler to seek out similar connections with his own audience, striving to make every performance an intimate conversation, rather than a distant spectacle.

As Aerosmith’s catalog grew, these influences became more pronounced. The blues elements that defined early hits like "Walk This Way" blended seamlessly with the emotional delivery Tyler absorbed from Motown. In later projects, including the soaring ballad "Crazy," the fingerprints of Robinson’s style are unmistakable. Tyler’s ability to channel deep feeling without resorting to vocal excess became a signature move, one that set him apart in the crowded field of rock frontmen.

But Tyler’s praise for Robinson is not just about musical technique. It’s a recognition of Robinson’s broader impact on the culture of music and the vocal arts. As Filmogaz notes, Tyler called Robinson a "national treasure" for his profound influence on generations of musicians and fans. It’s a sentiment shared by many in the industry, who see Robinson not only as a pioneer of Motown but as a bridge between genres and eras.

The story of Steven Tyler and Smokey Robinson is, in many ways, the story of American music itself—a story of cross-pollination, innovation, and the relentless pursuit of emotional truth. Tyler’s journey from blues-inspired rock to emotionally charged ballads mirrors the evolution of popular music over the past half-century. And through it all, the thread of Robinson’s influence remains unbroken.

For fans of Aerosmith, the connection to Motown may come as a surprise. The band’s image—hard-driving, rebellious, and larger-than-life—seems worlds apart from the smooth, soulful sounds of Smokey Robinson. Yet, as Tyler’s own words and music make clear, the two are intimately linked. The emotional resonance that defines Aerosmith’s best work owes as much to Motown as it does to rock’s traditional icons.

Robinson’s legacy, as Tyler and others have made clear, is firmly established among musicians and fans alike. His ability to inspire artists across genres speaks to the universality of his message and the timelessness of his sound. "Smokey Robinson is a national treasure," Tyler declared, a statement that, according to El Balad and Filmogaz, has been echoed by countless others in the industry. It’s a testament to the lasting power of music to connect, inspire, and transform.

Looking back, it’s clear that the emotional depth and lyrical brilliance of Smokey Robinson helped shape not just the sound of Aerosmith, but the very fabric of modern music. Tyler’s tribute is more than just a personal acknowledgment; it’s a reminder of the enduring impact of one artist on another, and of the ways in which music continues to build bridges across generations and genres.

As the world celebrates the contributions of both Steven Tyler and Smokey Robinson, one thing is certain: the emotional connection they have forged with audiences will continue to resonate for years to come, reminding us all of the power of music to move, to heal, and to inspire.