The Temptations set the bar high as Motown Records’ often-imitated but never-matched finest vocal group with the best choreography from its golden era. With classic songs such as “My Girl,” “Cloud Nine,” “Psychedelic Shack,” and “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,” the group has garnered 43 Top 10 hits from the 1960s to the ’90s, 15 No. 1 R&B singles, three Grammys, induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a TV miniseries, and — most recently — a Broadway musical. I recently spoke over the phone with Temptations’ leader and baritone singer Otis Williams in advance of the group’s April 12 concert at Ojai’s Libbey Bowl.
What was it like working with producer Berry Gordy, choreographer Cholly Atkins, and the Funk Brothers? Did you already sense you would become the Muhammad Ali of R&B groups? [Laughs.] That’s well put! … Motown … was just a wonderful place to be. I had no idea that it would turn out like it did, but I look back on it, and I’m very thankful and blessed to be associated with Berry Gordy, Cholly Atkins, Maurice King, Harvey Fuqua, Shelly Berger — great people that instilled in us being professionals in show business.
What are your memories of James Jamerson laying down that beautiful bassline on “My Girl,” and David Ruffin as a lead vocalist? James Jamerson … set the tone for a lot of bass players that are playing today. … He was a magnificent bass player! As far as David Ruffin is concerned … [he] could really sing; then he would throw the microphone up, and spin around and drop to his knees. It was a sight to see. [David] joined [The Temptations] in 1964; at that point, the group consisted of Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin, and myself; we had to let [former lead vocalist] Al Bryant go — enter David Ruffin. From that point on, we had magic. We already had a name in Detroit, so we just started exploding. David added that extra little fire that helped make the Tempts be known for what we are.