Tempts and Tops at Paramount Theatre in Oakland,CA

[kalisa2]

Janebse:

The problem with the sound being so loud that you cannot hear the singing must be something the TOPS want. There is no way they could not be aware that audiences find it difficult to hear their singing.

Jane,
I didn't notice the problem at all last summer when I saw them, I could hear the Tops singing fine, in an outdoor stadium venue. MrK2 thought that it was 'venue-specific' the other night (indoor auditorium), meaning whatever locals set up the sound just didn't know how to do it for that type of band/group... but I told him this has been said over and over again, it can't be just the one venue, and we/he didn't notice any problem with the Tempts sound...they were heard loud and clear.

[janebse]

While I agree that "Venue-specific" is definitely a possibility, the Tempts don't have that problem at the same venues and when they were doing the four groups last summer, the problem was not reported with any group but the Tops.

One person asked if the Tops' band had not yet learned they are supposed to accompany the Tops, not the other way around.

[kalisa2]

One person asked if the Tops' band had not yet learned they are supposed to accompany the Tops, not the other way around.

ROFL!!! Exactly right, and funny too! :laughing

[Ivory Fair]

When they first started touring together as a "show" in the 1980s, they did a "Battle of the Bands" type thing, or at least they came out and sang "Your Love is Lifting Me Higher" until they had done it so many times it lost its edge because they got tired of doing it. Or at least that's what I've heard.

When I actually was introduced to Theo the first time, it was while standing in the wings of the stage watching the Tempts sing "My Girl." I was the sixth person to exit the stage area after the show (there are five Tempts) and I did it with a big pout on my face 'cause I was SO close to hearing Theo sing My Girl, yet at the same time I was SO far away.

[Tempzfanat14]

janebse said:

People who went to both of the Tempts/Tops Shows on Friday and Saturday nights reported the same thing. The Tops band was too loud, and sometimes the TOps could not be heard over the band.

Whether the Tempts came first or last, they really impressed the audience. "Like a whirlwind" was one report of how the Tempts took over the stage.

yeah i thought it was just me but the tops either wasn't singing loud enough or the band was too loud, either way it was a good show... i just looked at my pics and they aren't too good but i'll still post them

[tempfan]

To answer some questions about the Temptations and Four Tops concerts together. When the original T-N-T Tour kicked off shortly after the Motown 25 show in 1983 the concept of the concerts was a "Battle of The Bands" The groups would come out on stage together and do a medley of each others hits with them making fun of each other, huddling up when the others were singing like they were plotting, and then singing some of their own songs to end the medley songs would change during different shows medleys (ex. The Tops doing 7 Rooms of Gloom and Something About You The Temps doing Superstar and I'm Gonna Make you Love Me.) Usually Melvin would then introduce the Tops as The Temps left the stage, Then in the middle of the show the Temps would come back on stage and join the Tops during the first year they would then do a tribute to dead or ailing singers (ex. Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, Teddy Pendegrass) with Dennis and or Richard and Levi singing leads to some of those singers hits (during the first 4-5 years of the tour there were no intermissions when the groups started instead a comedian like Aresenio Hall would open then intermission then the groups would go striaght till the end.) after singing together in the middle The Tops would leave making way for The Temps and then return in the end to join The Temps in singing either Higher and Higher or an 80's medley of songs by Lionel Ritchie, Michael Jackson, Johnny Gill etc. For the next couple of years the beginning and end was the same but the middle portion was taken out with the groups just slapping each other five, hugging etc. as one was leaving with the other taking over and the groups only did higher and higher at the end till 88. When that tour ended The Temps then toured with the O'jays and the Tops toured with The Spinners. Starting In the early 90's the groups did mini tours and appearances where they only did the opening medley together which continued until late 95 early 96 when after Melvin passed and then Ali and Ray left they stopped doing it and just each do their own show now with each rotating who goes first. During the main T-N-T Tours the Tops almost always went first followed by The Temps except for rare occasions. Hope this helps clear thing sup a little.

[MikeNYC]

tempfan said:

To answer some questions about the Temptations and Four Tops concerts together. When the original T-N-T Tour kicked off shortly after the Motown 25 show in 1983 the concept of the concerts was a "Battle of The Bands" The groups would come out on stage together and do a medley of each others hits with them making fun of each other, huddling up when the others were singing like they were plotting, and then singing some of their own songs to end the medley songs would change during different shows medleys (ex. The Tops doing 7 Rooms of Gloom and Something About You The Temps doing Superstar and I'm Gonna Make you Love Me.) Usually Melvin would then introduce the Tops as The Temps left the stage, Then in the middle of the show the Temps would come back on stage and join the Tops during the first year they would then do a tribute to dead or ailing singers (ex. Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, Teddy Pendegrass) with Dennis and or Richard and Levi singing leads to some of those singers hits (during the first 4-5 years of the tour there were no intermissions when the groups started instead a comedian like Aresenio Hall would open then intermission then the groups would go striaght till the end.) after singing together in the middle The Tops would leave making way for The Temps and then return in the end to join The Temps in singing either Higher and Higher or an 80's medley of songs by Lionel Ritchie, Michael Jackson, Johnny Gill etc. For the next couple of years the beginning and end was the same but the middle portion was taken out with the groups just slapping each other five, hugging etc. as one was leaving with the other taking over and the groups only did higher and higher at the end till 88. When that tour ended The Temps then toured with the O'jays and the Tops toured with The Spinners. Starting In the early 90's the groups did mini tours and appearances where they only did the opening medley together which continued until late 95 early 96 when after Melvin passed and then Ali and Ray left they stopped doing it and just each do their own show now with each rotating who goes first. During the main T-N-T Tours the Tops almost always went first followed by The Temps except for rare occasions. Hope this helps clear thing sup a little.

Levi & Dennis tore up "Close The Door". As only two HALL OF FAME voices can do. ;D

[Aba21]

tempfan said:

To answer some questions about the Temptations and Four Tops concerts together. When the original T-N-T Tour kicked off shortly after the Motown 25 show in 1983 the concept of the concerts was a "Battle of The Bands" The groups would come out on stage together and do a medley of each others hits with them making fun of each other, huddling up when the others were singing like they were plotting, and then singing some of their own songs to end the medley songs would change during different shows medleys (ex. The Tops doing 7 Rooms of Gloom and Something About You The Temps doing Superstar and I'm Gonna Make you Love Me.) Usually Melvin would then introduce the Tops as The Temps left the stage, Then in the middle of the show the Temps would come back on stage and join the Tops during the first year they would then do a tribute to dead or ailing singers (ex. Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, Teddy Pendegrass) with Dennis and or Richard and Levi singing leads to some of those singers hits (during the first 4-5 years of the tour there were no intermissions when the groups started instead a comedian like Aresenio Hall would open then intermission then the groups would go striaght till the end.) after singing together in the middle The Tops would leave making way for The Temps and then return in the end to join The Temps in singing either Higher and Higher or an 80's medley of songs by Lionel Ritchie, Michael Jackson, Johnny Gill etc. For the next couple of years the beginning and end was the same but the middle portion was taken out with the groups just slapping each other five, hugging etc. as one was leaving with the other taking over and the groups only did higher and higher at the end till 88. When that tour ended The Temps then toured with the O'jays and the Tops toured with The Spinners. Starting In the early 90's the groups did mini tours and appearances where they only did the opening medley together which continued until late 95 early 96 when after Melvin passed and then Ali and Ray left they stopped doing it and just each do their own show now with each rotating who goes first. During the main T-N-T Tours the Tops almost always went first followed by The Temps except for rare occasions. Hope this helps clear thing sup a little.

i saw a great many of those shows including one of the first at the Minskoff Theatrre in New York City. They were the bomb.......... ;D

[MikeNYC]

Aba21 said:

i saw a great many of those shows including one of the first at the Minskoff Theatrre in New York City. They were the bomb.......... ;D

I saw that show. Woodson was there. I caught the show before Dennis left in what was called at the time,the Forum at Madison Square Garden.

[Tempzfanat14]

sorry for the delay, i just logged onto my other computer where i saved the pics on, here's one for now, sorry for the poor quality, alot of them came out blurry cause the lady was watching me the whole show cause i couldn't have a cam there

[Tempzfanat14]

as you can see theres ron sitting on the right.. he got up and did some dancing every now and then

[Ivory Fair]

That's ok t@14, we appreciate you going all ............ what's the word .......... sneaky and getting them for us ................. Ron looks like cute on his little stool there. ................. and Theo .............. he's so teeny I just want to put him in my pocket.