Smokey Robinson Wants to 'Celebrate America' Despite Its 'Problems' at Independence Day Concert (Exclusive)

Robinson will perform at A Capitol Fourth, the nation’s official Independence Day concert, airing July 4 at 8 p.m. EST on PBS

• Smokey Robinson is set to perform at A Capital Fourth, the nation’s official Independence Day concert, airing July 4 at 8 p.m. EST on PBS

• Other performers at the event include Fantasia Barrino, Darren Criss, Sheila E., Fitz & Noelle from Fitz and The Tantrums, Sister Sledge and more

• Robinson opens up to PEOPLE about the importance of celebrating Independence Day and why he remains hopeful about the current state of music
  

With a catalogue of hit songs from his Motown era and beyond that have become part of the fabric of pop culture for generations, Smokey Robinson is practically Americana personified.

And even during a troubled, political divisive period in the country, the singer-songwriter, 84, is eager to celebrate America in all its differences by performing at A Capitol Fourth, the nation’s official Independence Day concert, airing July 4 at 8 p.m. EST on PBS.

“It is a wonderful thing to celebrate America,” Robinson tells PEOPLE. “As far as I'm concerned, America is the greatest country in the world. To celebrate it is always important to me, because I think it should be celebrated. We have our problems like everywhere, in the country [and] in the world, but we are still, as far as I'm concerned, the greatest thing that there is. So, it deserves to be celebrated.”

Related: Smokey Robinson Returns to the Apollo as He Jokes 'Retiring Didn't Work for Me, Man' (Exclusive)

Robinson’s music – including hits like “Shop Around,” “Tracks of My Tears,” “You Really Got A Hold On Me,” “Tears of a Clown” and “I Second That Emotion,” along with chart-toppers for Motown labelmates like The Supremes, The Temptations and Marvin Gaye — has long been considered a unifying factor during troubled times, especially during the turbulent 1960s and 1970s. Today, his songs remain indelible essentials in the nation’s vibrant soundtrack.

“I have several songs now that are considered in the Great American Songbook,” he acknowledges. “That's a joy to me, because when I write a song, I hope I'm writing a song that if I'd written it 50 years before then, it would've meant something to people and it's going to mean something currently, and 50 years from now, it's going to mean something to people. So I try to write a song that's going to do those things, and some of those songs have proven themselves to be that, and I'm very, very flattered and very proud of that.”

Robinson is returning to the stage of A Capitol Fourth live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. after an appearance two decades ago. The concert will also spotlight an eclectic array of musical artists, including Fantasia Barrino, Darren Criss, Sheila E., Fitz & Noelle from Fitz and The Tantrums, Sister Sledge, Chloe Flower, Loren Allred and the National Symphony Orchestra along with the event’s host, Alfonso Ribeiro.

Related: Smokey Robinson Recalls Wild Late Nights at Motown Records: 'Our Wives Would Come to Get Us' (Exclusive)

Given the nature of the all-ages celebration, Robinson says he’s thrilled to see multiple generations of music lovers in his audiences.

"I love meeting young people,” he says. “That's one of the things I enjoy about doing the concerts, because of the fact that I see people at my concerts who have lap kids with them, little kids who are 3 and 4 years old sitting on their laps watching the concert. And when I first saw them, they were on their parents' laps.”

The iconic performer says he also enjoys discovering music artists embraced each new generation: “I think music is in great hands."

Related: Smokey Robinson, 82, Explains Why He'll Never Retire from Music: 'It's What I Love'

“You got people out there like Taylor Swift, who is the hottest act in the world — and plus, she's a good friend!” says Robinson. “I love a lot of people. I think there's so many talented young people out there. And I'm not one of those people who says, ‘Well, the young people are not making any good music.’ That's not true! There's young people making some great music out there, and I love a lot of them. I think a lot of them are great performers and doing great things. Bruno Mars, Usher, Jordin Sparks and everybody. There's a lot of great people out there doing some really, really, really great music, and I'm really happy about that.”

The R&B legend, who continues to record new albums and tour, also notes that new artists inspire him to push his own creativity.

“Absolutely, because I'm competing with them,” he laughs. “I'm still in this, so I'm competing with them!”

A Capitol Fourth airs on PBS Thursday, July 4, 2024 from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. E.T., as well as to the nation’s troops serving around the world on American Forces Network. The program will stream on YouTube and www.pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth and available as Video on Demand for a limited time only, July 4 to July 18, 2024.

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