Over 60 years ago, Otis Williams could never imagine that The Temptations would still be going strong.
Fast forward to 2023 and the sole surviving original member of the group is still on tour, performing and will be playing in the Permian Basin this weekend.
The Temptations and the Four Tops will be performing at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center.
Tickets can be purchased at wagnernoel.info/TemptationsAndFourTopsT23.
Often referred to as American Music Royalty, The Temptations have long been world-renowned superstars of entertainment, revered for their phenomenal catalog of music and prolific career.
Known for such hits like “My Girl,” “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,” “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” and “Get Ready,” The Temptations recently celebrated their 60th anniversary with an album “Temptations 60” with nearly all-original songs which came out in January 2022.
Williams may have grown up in Detroit, Mich., but he was born in Texarkana and is looking forward to being back in the Lone Star State this week.
“Texas is my home state,” Williams said in a phone interview on Thursday. “I’m from Texarkana. It’s always a joy to be coming back to my home state because we don’t play as often as we used to. But it’s always a pleasure to come to Texas and do what we do.”
Williams said this weekend’s concert will feature some of the classics.
“Well we’re going to play what we’re known for like ‘My Girl’ and bring some enjoyment to people who haven’t seen us in a while,” Williams said.
Williams has become a music legend winning numerous Grammys and platinum records.
The Temptations originally consisted of David Ruffin, Melvin Franklin, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams and Otis Williams.
The group released a series of successful singles and albums with Motown Records in the 1960s and early 1970s.
Williams talked about his life’s journey into Motown music.
“I came to Detroit when I was 11 years old,” Williams said. “… I was in the right place at the right time when Motown Records came around. I looked back and I was just meant to be at that place and time and now, here we are, 60 years later. We’re still going. It’s been a great and wonderful ride.”
Williams talked about working with Motown Records and the impact the record label had on the group.
“There will never be another recording company like Motown Records,” Williams said. “Motown was known for its records and hits, but Motown had a division, artists development, and what that was that we had to go to school to learn how to be professionals and how to dress. No other recording industry has ever had that kind of formula. That’s what makes Motown so unique. They did what recording companies don’t normally do. Berry (Gordy) had a vision and we followed it. There will never be another recording studio like them.”
The Temptations have been the subject of a smash hit Broadway musical, “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations” which is based on Williams’ personal journey and opened to critical acclaim in 2019.
There was also an Emmy Award-Winning Television mini-series, “The Temptations,” which aired back in 1998.
With so many accolades, Williams said it’s hard to pick out the best memories.
“When you’ve been around as long as we have, you have a plethora of memories, including some sad ones but I never would imagine going through the White House with three different presidents. … We’ve performed all over the world. I have a lot of good memories. I never would believe I would have such a wonderful career.”
Williams, who turns 82 on Oct. 30, is still going and enjoys seeing his group’s music being passed down to different generations.
“It’s a wonderful ride because wherever and whenever we perform, we have people who come to see us and have seen us perform before and I think ‘wow, they grew up with The Temptations,’” Williams said. “We’re older and they’re older. What’s wonderful is that they bring their kids and grandkids. I never forgot that three years ago, I saw a little fellow, about 4 years old and he was singing ‘My Girl’ and the father was standing there and he was telling me that he taught him that. To see all the dedication and love for what we do being passed down, that’s a wonderful thing to see.”
If you go
- What: The Temptations and the Four Tops.
- When: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28.
- Where: Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center.
- Where to purchase tickets: tinyurl.com/5398ftnf
