There is more than one artist with this name. 1) From 1973 to 1981, Smokey boldly and unambiguously sang about the gay experience in no uncertain terms, and upped the ante for other bands eager to push the thematic boundaries of rock & roll. Though Smokey never enjoyed much commercial success, they managed to cross paths with a number of personalities who would go on to fame and fortune in the years that followed. Smokey was led by vocalist John "Smokey" Condon and multi-instrumentalist and recording engineer E.J. Emmons.