Once Robinson decided to retire from the group to concentrate on his duties as Vice President of the Motown Record Corporation, Miracles member
Claudette Robinson (Smokey's wife) decided to leave as well.
Marv Tarplin, after staying for a year, decided to leave the Miracles and began touring and working with Smokey Robinson. Claudette Robinson retired to concentrate on raising the couple's two children, Berry and Tamla. The other Miracles,
Bobby Rogers,
Pete Moore, and
Ronnie White, conducted a nationwide search for a singer to replace Smokey Robinson. After auditioning some 60 hopefuls, the group decided on
Billy Griffin, a native of
Baltimore,
Maryland. Griffin was actually recommended by Damon Harris of The Temptations, also from Baltimore. In the 2006 Miracles DVD release
The Definitive Performances (1963-1987), Miracles Pete Moore and Bobby Rogers commented that the group decided on Griffin because, in addition to being a great singer, he also demonstrated some songwriting ability. Smokey Robinson served as the album's executive producer, and wrote in the album's liner notes that Griffin was "a determined young man with a fresh new sound, who is sure to become dynamic in the industry".
Renaissance included several songs from noted writer-producers, including
Marvin Gaye,
Willie Hutch,
Leon Ware,
Fonce Mizell,
Freddie Perren, and
Pam Sawyer. The album's first intended single was "What Is a Heart Good For", which was performed by the group on a July 13, 1973 telecast on
NBC's
The Midnight Special, which marked the group's first national television appearance with Griffin and was hosted by Smokey Robinson himself. The Miracles also performed the song on June 23, 1973, and a repeat performance on a September 28, 1974 telecast of
Don Cornelius's
"Soul Train". Radio began playing the uptempo single, when it was withdrawn, and replaced with a ballad "Don't Let It End ('Til You Let It Begin)". ==Release==