Post by livesey00 on May 6, 2004 2:58:51 GMT -5
Temptations carry on tradition in Sandusky
By JOHN PATRICK GATTA , Arcade Columnist 04/30/2004
Arcade!
When the Temptations were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989, a decision had to be made as to who would be enshrined and who would be left behind. As founding member Otis Williams pointed out during a recent interview, the band's line up has changed multiple times during its 40-year existence.
''We've had 20 different guys in and out of the Temptations. I've always said the Temptations name is bigger than any one person,'' said Williams.''We've been able to weather the changes and still be loved and accepted by our fans throughout the many changes, which is a rarity. Most cases you lose a key member, boy it's hell to bounce back from that.''
The vocal group, lovingly nicknamed the Emperors of Soul, has never been torn completely apart in spite of inflated egos, substance abuse, creative differences and illness. Williams remains the lone original member in the current edition of the Temptations. Singing alongside him for the past five years are Rony Tyson, Barrington Henderson, Terry Weeks and Harry McGilberry.
For Williams, this version is worthy of carrying on the Temptations name.
''Well, let me ask you something. Do people stop coming to see the Yankees because Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Reggie Jackson are no longer there? We're the same principle, just a smaller microcosm. The Yankees are still winning championships, and they've been around far longer than the Temps.Ê
''We've all got to make that transition. There's certain things in life no one can control. People passing, then you've got to make a change.''
The ability to move forward following each personnel upheaval is an integral component of the Temps. The group came together in 1961 after one Detroit doo-wop act, the Primes, merged with the Distants, which featured Williams on second tenor. Signed by Berry Gordy for the fledgling Motown label, they initially struggled to make a dent on the singles chart. Gordy stuck with them, and under the songwriting and producing guidance of Smokey Robinson the Temptations achieved their first hit in 1964 with ''The Way You Do The Things You Do.''
With Robinson and then producer Norman Whitfield, the Temps produced a string of chart-toppers that brought together a stylish blend of silky smooth vocal harmonies, catchy melodies and skintight musicianship by Motown's studio band, the Funk Brothers. The band's music has been separated into several classic periods. The mid-'60s included such hits as ''My Girl,'' ''Ain't Too Proud to Beg'' and ''(I Know) I'm Losing You.'' By the end of the decade, they became influenced by the work of Sly and the Family Stone and other new artists and produced such psychedelic soul cuts as ''Cloud Nine,'' ''I Can't Get Next to You'' and ''Ball of Confusion.''
''We always liked living on the edge when it came to making hit records or being uniquely different from others. It was something that we thrived on. We enjoyed living dangerously as far as taking chances, as far as making records that make 'em say, ÔDamn! That's the Temps? That's different for the Temps.' So yeah, we thrived on that.''
While the group's hitmaking ways as crossover artists diminished over the last two decades, the group continues to release albums and singles that do well on the R&B chart, won a Grammy in 2001 and successfully tours around the world.
''Legacy,'' its 60th studio release, due June 8, is the latest example of the band remaining a relevant musicmaking machine rather than a well-preserved relic. The album contains original material, including the single ''Something Special.'' It opens with ''Still Tempting,'' a song written about the group by a songwriter who viewed the Temptations movie on VH1.
While the album comes out on Motown records, Williams admits that the music industry has drastically changed for the good -- the members record much quicker now rather than work on song for up to 56 takes -- and the not so good -- the change in business practices and marketing.
''Fortunately for us, we're still such a cornerstone with Motown. We've been getting very good support, but Motown is, naturally, not like it was when Berry (Gordy) owned it. It's corporate now. We've become a computer read-out. But we've been hanging on in there with all the changes Motown's been going through.''Ê
Williams sees it as just another method of keeping the Temptations name alive and vibrant to those who originally grew up on its music and those who discover it today.
''I still enjoy and am very appreciative to God for letting me still be around to do this. I am the man that has to make sure that all the ''I's'' are dotted and the ''T's'' are crossed and all, let's us continue on with what the original Temps started back in the '60s.''
The Temptations appear at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at Sandusky State Theatre. For tickets or more information, call 877-378-2150.
By JOHN PATRICK GATTA , Arcade Columnist 04/30/2004
Arcade!
When the Temptations were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989, a decision had to be made as to who would be enshrined and who would be left behind. As founding member Otis Williams pointed out during a recent interview, the band's line up has changed multiple times during its 40-year existence.
''We've had 20 different guys in and out of the Temptations. I've always said the Temptations name is bigger than any one person,'' said Williams.''We've been able to weather the changes and still be loved and accepted by our fans throughout the many changes, which is a rarity. Most cases you lose a key member, boy it's hell to bounce back from that.''
The vocal group, lovingly nicknamed the Emperors of Soul, has never been torn completely apart in spite of inflated egos, substance abuse, creative differences and illness. Williams remains the lone original member in the current edition of the Temptations. Singing alongside him for the past five years are Rony Tyson, Barrington Henderson, Terry Weeks and Harry McGilberry.
For Williams, this version is worthy of carrying on the Temptations name.
''Well, let me ask you something. Do people stop coming to see the Yankees because Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Reggie Jackson are no longer there? We're the same principle, just a smaller microcosm. The Yankees are still winning championships, and they've been around far longer than the Temps.Ê
''We've all got to make that transition. There's certain things in life no one can control. People passing, then you've got to make a change.''
The ability to move forward following each personnel upheaval is an integral component of the Temps. The group came together in 1961 after one Detroit doo-wop act, the Primes, merged with the Distants, which featured Williams on second tenor. Signed by Berry Gordy for the fledgling Motown label, they initially struggled to make a dent on the singles chart. Gordy stuck with them, and under the songwriting and producing guidance of Smokey Robinson the Temptations achieved their first hit in 1964 with ''The Way You Do The Things You Do.''
With Robinson and then producer Norman Whitfield, the Temps produced a string of chart-toppers that brought together a stylish blend of silky smooth vocal harmonies, catchy melodies and skintight musicianship by Motown's studio band, the Funk Brothers. The band's music has been separated into several classic periods. The mid-'60s included such hits as ''My Girl,'' ''Ain't Too Proud to Beg'' and ''(I Know) I'm Losing You.'' By the end of the decade, they became influenced by the work of Sly and the Family Stone and other new artists and produced such psychedelic soul cuts as ''Cloud Nine,'' ''I Can't Get Next to You'' and ''Ball of Confusion.''
''We always liked living on the edge when it came to making hit records or being uniquely different from others. It was something that we thrived on. We enjoyed living dangerously as far as taking chances, as far as making records that make 'em say, ÔDamn! That's the Temps? That's different for the Temps.' So yeah, we thrived on that.''
While the group's hitmaking ways as crossover artists diminished over the last two decades, the group continues to release albums and singles that do well on the R&B chart, won a Grammy in 2001 and successfully tours around the world.
''Legacy,'' its 60th studio release, due June 8, is the latest example of the band remaining a relevant musicmaking machine rather than a well-preserved relic. The album contains original material, including the single ''Something Special.'' It opens with ''Still Tempting,'' a song written about the group by a songwriter who viewed the Temptations movie on VH1.
While the album comes out on Motown records, Williams admits that the music industry has drastically changed for the good -- the members record much quicker now rather than work on song for up to 56 takes -- and the not so good -- the change in business practices and marketing.
''Fortunately for us, we're still such a cornerstone with Motown. We've been getting very good support, but Motown is, naturally, not like it was when Berry (Gordy) owned it. It's corporate now. We've become a computer read-out. But we've been hanging on in there with all the changes Motown's been going through.''Ê
Williams sees it as just another method of keeping the Temptations name alive and vibrant to those who originally grew up on its music and those who discover it today.
''I still enjoy and am very appreciative to God for letting me still be around to do this. I am the man that has to make sure that all the ''I's'' are dotted and the ''T's'' are crossed and all, let's us continue on with what the original Temps started back in the '60s.''
The Temptations appear at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at Sandusky State Theatre. For tickets or more information, call 877-378-2150.
