Two of Motown’s most popular and enduring acts, the Temptations and the Four Tops, are once again sharing the stage on tour.
The Temptations and The Four Tops will perform at 8 p.m. on Jan. 19 at Indio’s Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. (Courtesy image)
Expect to hear generation-defining hits such as “My Girl,” “Baby I Need Your Loving,” “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg,” “Reach Out (I’ll Be There)” and many more at their double-billed concert at 8 p.m. on Jan. 19 at Indio’s Fantasy Springs Resort Casino.
To paraphrase one of the Temptations’ biggest hit songs, “get ready” for a concert filled with stylish suits, smooth, refined choreography, soaring, tight harmonies and a set of hit songs few groups can match.
It’ll also be a reunion of life-long friends.
“We’ve been performing together for decades, so it’s been great,” said Otis Williams, founder of the Temptations and lone remaining original member. “We’re like brothers, family. The Four Tops and the Temptations have been in a constant groove since the ‘60s.”
Both Williams and The Four Tops’ only remaining original member, Abdul “Duke” Fakir, have been friendly rivals since Motown’s heyday. Both are the current leaders of their respective Rock and Roll Hall of Fame groups, and both are in top form.
“Duke and I have shared a lot of wonderful memories,” Williams said. “But perhaps the one that stands out the most was being on the same stage on the Motown anniversary TV show (1983’s ‘Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever’). That was special.”
Motown Records’ stable of songwriters, producers and studio musicians (the Funk Brothers) during the “Hitsville, USA” era (1961-68) became almost as important as the artists who sang their iconic songs.
The Four Tops mainly relied upon the hit-making songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland, while early on the Temptations benefited from the producing and writing talents of Smokey Robinson, himself one of Motown’s greatest singing artists.
“Smokey (Robinson) saw us perform once and then told us he had a song for us to record. It really was as simple as that,” explained Williams. “When Smokey would finish a new song that he thought fit our sound and style, we would record it.”
“He and Berry (Gordy – Motown Records’ founder) decided which songs and songwriters would work with which groups.”
After such a long and illustrious careers, the Four Tops and the Temptations continue to “wow” audiences around the world.
“I still love it,” admitted Williams. “The goal is to do something in life that you love and doesn’t feel like work, right? I’ve been lucky. It’s God’s calling for me.”
For further information and tickets, visit www.fantasyspringsresort.com.
Chris Baptiste is a local writer and regular contributor to SWRNN.
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