A TEMPTING NIGHT OUT
Interview By: Martin Hutchinson.
IT’S fast becoming a regular event, the UK tour by Motown legends The Temptations and The Four Tops.
This time around they are bringing some special guests along with them for completing the line-up of this fantastic show ate Tavares and The Crystals.
The Crystals were one of the first – and best girl groups, having hits with the Gene Pitney-penned He’s a Rebel (a US Number One), The He Kissed Me and the immortal Da Doo Ron Ron.
Tavares had a decade of UK hits from 1976 to 1986, four of them: Heaven Must Be Missing an Angel, Don’t Take Away the Music, Whodunit and More Than a Woman (from Saturday Night Fever) reaching the Top Ten in Britain.
The Four Tops need no introduction.
Originally from Detroit – like The Temptations, they were formed in the early fifties and it was only in 1997 when the first line-up change took place.
Hits like Reach out I’ll Be There, Bernadette, Standing In the Shadows of Love and Don’t Walk Away Renee ensured their immortality.
Their unique sound stemmed from the fact that whilst many of their contemporaries boasted a tenor as lead singer, in Levi Stubbs they had a baritone.
Original member Abdul ‘Duke’ Fakir, still performs in the group.
The Temptations, who are this year celebrating their 50th anniversary, also has an original member in their ranks in the form of Otis Williams, who wrote their classic Treat Her Like a Lady.
From his home in America he tells me that he’s raring to go.
“Yeah, I’m really looking forward to the tour, and as it’ll be the first time that we’ve worked with Tavares and The Crystals, I’m looking forward to that as well.”
Apparently it was the promoter’s idea to add the two new groups even though The Temptations and Four Tops have toured together successfully many times.
“We had nothing to do with it. They wanted the show to be a little more dynamic.”
But it won’t curtail the set.
“No, not really, we’ll still be doing about 50 minutes.” Otis confirms.
The Temptations are frequent visitors to the UK and Otis feels that Britain is special.
“That’s right. It’s like a second home to us.”
“We’ve always been received so well in the UK, it’s a great pleasure to keep bringing our music to the British audiences.”
“Also,” he confides, “We have to keep coming as there’s a lot of ‘phoney’ Temptations and we have to keep marking our territory.”
Many of the band’s contemporaries have long since split up or retired, but Otis, along with his band-mates Ron Tyson, Terry Weeks, Joe Herndon and Bruce Williamson carry on doing what they do best –singing their incredible catalogue of hits.
“We still enjoy it.” Explains Otis
“It’s our vocation and as we work constantly we can still make a good living.”
Their list of hits is pretty formidable, with classics such as Get Ready, Ball of Confusion, Papa Was A Rolling Stone, Just My Imagination and My Girl, Otis must have some thought as to songs that are special to him.
“Well,” he laughs,”I’m a big Temptations fan and I love all the songs, but Ball of Confusion is pretty special.”
“And of course My Girl,” he adds.
“That’s our national anthem – if we didn’t sing that we’d be in a world of trouble.”
Otis, now in his early seventies, thinks he knows the reason why The Temptations have remained so popular, as he explains.
“Well, we’re dealing with songs that are a blueprint of people’s lives. They can reminisce to them.”
Warming to his theme, he continues.
“The songs are not offensive in any way and they have stood the test of time.”
“Finally, we have a show-business approach that was drummed into us at Motown.”
“We work hard at our choreography and give a good professional show.”
As to the future, they still have some plans.
“We’re staying busy and I’m working on taking The Temptations Story to Broadway – although we may take it to London’s West End first.”
The Temptations and The Four Tops, with special guests Tavares and The Crystals, will be appearing at.....
March 2012
Fri 16th Sheffield Motorpoint Arena
Sat 17th Newcastle Metro Radio Arena
Sun 18th Glasgow Clyde Auditorium
Tues 20th Nottingham Capital FM Arena
Thurs 22nd Birmingham NIA
Fri 23rd Manchester MEN Arena
Sat 24th Bournemouth BIC
Sun 25th Cardiff Motorpoint Arena
Tues 27th Liverpool Echo Arena
Weds 28th London* O2 Arena
Tickets on sale HERE and from 
Interview By: Martin Hutchinson.
