Post by Jonel on May 9, 2004 20:48:22 GMT -5
Smooth, soul sound of The Temptations coming to Jefferson
May 7, 2004
By Amelia Feathers The Orange Leader
BEAUMONT - Otis Williams doesn't ever get the temptation to be the lead singer of the music group he helped start more than 40 years ago.
Williams, the only living original member of The Temptations, doesn't mind singing in the background for the group that helped shape the Motown sound and is one of the most acclaimed male vocal groups in contemporary music.
"I'm the super glue that keeps us together," Williams said in a telephone interview, describing his role in the group.
The Temptations will bring their familiar sound and slick dance moves to the stage on Saturday at The Jefferson Theatre, 345 Fannin. Showtime starts at 8 p.m.
Even after more than 40 years in the music business, The Temptations still has the familiar crooning harmony and a flair for fancy choreography. "We are still singing the familiar songs along with an up-to-date sound and doing the moves," Wiliams said.
Born in 1941 in Texarkana, Texas, Williams, who was born Otis Miles, moved to Detroit in 1950.
In 1959, Williams formed the group the Elegants with Elbridge Bryant, Melvin Franklin, his cousin Richard Street and Albert Harrell. The group's name was changed to the Questions and the Distants. The next year, they recorded a song, "Always," for Northern Records.
Miles also changed his name to Otis Williams.
The Distants met The Primes at a house party. The two groups merged together and Street and Harrell left. The members of the new group, then called the Elgins were: Williams, Melvin Franklin, Eddie Kendricks and Elbridge "Al" Bryant.
Berry Gordy Jr. saw the group perform and signed them to his Motown subsidiary, Miracle Records.
While standing on a porch, Williams and Miracle's employee Billy Mitchell came up with the name The Temptations.
After recording five singles, Bryant left the group in 1963 and was replaced by David Ruffin. In 1964, with Kendrick's singing lead, The Temptations recorded Smokey Robinson's "The Way You Do the Things You Do," which was the beginning of the group's chart-topping success. The group has had 76 singles on the R&B chart and 56 pop hits.
Throughout the years, and after several lineup changes, Williams is the only remaining original member of the group. Williams said a reason why the group continues to have success recording and touring is because " good music."
"Great singing will always prevail," Williams said.
Their 1998 release "Phoenix Rising," went gold for the group.
The current Temptations' members are: Williams, Terry Weeks, Joe Herndon, Ron Tyson, tenor and G.C. Cameron, a solo artist at Motown and former singer with The Spinners.
Williams said he doesn't compare one lineup to another. He said that would be a disservice to the singers and to himself.
The mini-series "The Temptations," based on Williams' book is a way new fans can appreciate the iconic music and the personal stories of the group. Williams said a day doesn't go by without someone asking him about the 1998 made-for-television movie.
"The movie stayed true to the book and only a small percentage of it had dramatic license," Williams said.
Another way the group stays in-tune and spawns new followers is the group goes to what music business calls smaller markets such as Saturday's show in Beaumont.
"People in the smaller markets go out and buy our records," Wiilams said. "We like performing in smaller markets because they are receptive audiences."
Williams said the group will release its 61st album "Legacy," on June 8.
"The music on the new album is staying true to what The Temptations are noted for - good music," Williams said.
Courtesy of The Orange Leader, Orange, TX
www.orangeleader.com/articles/2004/05/07/news/news3.txt
May 7, 2004
By Amelia Feathers The Orange Leader
BEAUMONT - Otis Williams doesn't ever get the temptation to be the lead singer of the music group he helped start more than 40 years ago.
Williams, the only living original member of The Temptations, doesn't mind singing in the background for the group that helped shape the Motown sound and is one of the most acclaimed male vocal groups in contemporary music.
"I'm the super glue that keeps us together," Williams said in a telephone interview, describing his role in the group.
The Temptations will bring their familiar sound and slick dance moves to the stage on Saturday at The Jefferson Theatre, 345 Fannin. Showtime starts at 8 p.m.
Even after more than 40 years in the music business, The Temptations still has the familiar crooning harmony and a flair for fancy choreography. "We are still singing the familiar songs along with an up-to-date sound and doing the moves," Wiliams said.
Born in 1941 in Texarkana, Texas, Williams, who was born Otis Miles, moved to Detroit in 1950.
In 1959, Williams formed the group the Elegants with Elbridge Bryant, Melvin Franklin, his cousin Richard Street and Albert Harrell. The group's name was changed to the Questions and the Distants. The next year, they recorded a song, "Always," for Northern Records.
Miles also changed his name to Otis Williams.
The Distants met The Primes at a house party. The two groups merged together and Street and Harrell left. The members of the new group, then called the Elgins were: Williams, Melvin Franklin, Eddie Kendricks and Elbridge "Al" Bryant.
Berry Gordy Jr. saw the group perform and signed them to his Motown subsidiary, Miracle Records.
While standing on a porch, Williams and Miracle's employee Billy Mitchell came up with the name The Temptations.
After recording five singles, Bryant left the group in 1963 and was replaced by David Ruffin. In 1964, with Kendrick's singing lead, The Temptations recorded Smokey Robinson's "The Way You Do the Things You Do," which was the beginning of the group's chart-topping success. The group has had 76 singles on the R&B chart and 56 pop hits.
Throughout the years, and after several lineup changes, Williams is the only remaining original member of the group. Williams said a reason why the group continues to have success recording and touring is because " good music."
"Great singing will always prevail," Williams said.
Their 1998 release "Phoenix Rising," went gold for the group.
The current Temptations' members are: Williams, Terry Weeks, Joe Herndon, Ron Tyson, tenor and G.C. Cameron, a solo artist at Motown and former singer with The Spinners.
Williams said he doesn't compare one lineup to another. He said that would be a disservice to the singers and to himself.
The mini-series "The Temptations," based on Williams' book is a way new fans can appreciate the iconic music and the personal stories of the group. Williams said a day doesn't go by without someone asking him about the 1998 made-for-television movie.
"The movie stayed true to the book and only a small percentage of it had dramatic license," Williams said.
Another way the group stays in-tune and spawns new followers is the group goes to what music business calls smaller markets such as Saturday's show in Beaumont.
"People in the smaller markets go out and buy our records," Wiilams said. "We like performing in smaller markets because they are receptive audiences."
Williams said the group will release its 61st album "Legacy," on June 8.
"The music on the new album is staying true to what The Temptations are noted for - good music," Williams said.
Courtesy of The Orange Leader, Orange, TX
www.orangeleader.com/articles/2004/05/07/news/news3.txt
