|
Post by Weak4Weeks on Dec 22, 2005 12:26:38 GMT -5
I just wonder....what makes a "real" Temptation? Is it someone who dreamed of making it, and did? Someone who has stood tall through the lineup changes, and kept the group going? Someone who will get on stage night after night and put on quality shows, who can bring the over 70s crowd to their feet? Someone who was there from the beginning, and STILL IS? Someone who NEVER QUIT? Someone who is valuable in the background, and CAN, but chooses not to, sing lead? I am talking about none other than Otis Williams. To say he is not 100 % Temptation is foolishness IMO, whether you agree with his business dealings, or ANYTHING else about him. He IS a TEMPTATION through and through. He has been doing this forever, and he shows NOTHING BUT RESPECT to the Tempts that have passed on. This is just something I felt neccessary to write. So what makes a person a Temptation to you. And, yes, we believe that there is a such thing as Otis-bashing, and it won't be tolerated. ;D
|
|
|
Post by plugg62225 on Dec 22, 2005 12:54:47 GMT -5
Allllrightee Then. Otis the Ole-T is the man for sure. People need to remember when everyone else (Melvin not included) jumped ship, Otis was solid. I think most people, player hate because the Mini Series focused mostly on his personal life...Well the movie was based on his book, written in his view point. So, of course it is going to have most of his life entailed in it. I have very close friends but if I write a book about our association, I can only speak on the things that I SEE. As far as the Tempts go Otis knew what was important. At the end of the day when all these Former members struck out on their own they never eclisped what they had as a Temptation. Now, we see all these Review groups. I have lost count on how many are out there today, and its funny that none of these groups are creating anything NEW. Do your thang Otis. First Class Act
|
|
curet30
Junior Member
My current job
Posts: 57
|
Post by curet30 on Dec 22, 2005 13:15:22 GMT -5
Allllrightee Then. Otis the Ole-T is the man for sure. People need to remember when everyone else (Melvin not included) jumped ship, Otis was solid. I think most people, player hate because the Mini Series focused mostly on his personal life...Well the movie was based on his book, written in his view point. So, of course it is going to have most of his life entailed in it. I have very close friends but if I write a book about our association, I can only speak on the things that I SEE. As far as the Tempts go Otis knew what was important. At the end of the day when all these Former members struck out on their own they never eclisped what they had as a Temptation. Now, we see all these Review groups. I have lost count on how many are out there today, and its funny that none of these groups are creating anything NEW. Do your thang Otis. First Class Act Hi plugg62225... I will be the first to say "OTIS is alright with me, you know Big O's alright!" Otis remained on board and steered this mighty ship to continued success as the sole original survivor. That's not to take away from GC, Joe, Ron & Terry - there are all great contributors but Otis has seen it ALL! However... many of these former members did not strike out on their own. Some were released due to personal issues. Perhaps that's why Otis is hated - for looking out for the best interest of the Temptations. I heard through a reliable source that one incarnation of the Temptations, aside from Otis' group, is in the studio. It's not easy for record companies to sign on a new act that will appeal to the over FORTY (I won't say over 70 ;D) unless they are perhaps recording a "smooth jazz" CD like Rachelle Farrell, Will Downing or Phil Perry. If I had a chance to manage any of these groups, I would steer them in that direction; "smooth jazz". That's just my opinion.
|
|
|
Post by Weak4Weeks on Dec 22, 2005 13:42:32 GMT -5
I am not trying to speak for plugg, but the artists who HAVE groups, did indeed leave(Dennis, Richard, Ali) or were released for various reasons (Glenn, Damon). I feel that there is room for everybody, as long as they are BILLED correctly, and don't PURPOSELY MISLEAD people, but that is another thread altogether.
|
|
|
Post by plugg62225 on Dec 22, 2005 14:22:48 GMT -5
Diddo Weak. You must be Clairvoyant. What numbers should I play for the Lotto?
|
|
|
Post by Weak4Weeks on Dec 22, 2005 14:43:46 GMT -5
I agree with this, but I also think some fans are really, deep down, pissed that Otis is STILL ALIVE, singing, and getting praise for doing so. People hate on him, his group, whatever they can, just for those reasons alone. I mean, how dare Otis not be dead? It's really if you ask me, because those same "fans" diss his group and have never seen them. I can't tell you how many times I have heard them called The Imitations! But in all of that THE TEMPTATIONS carry on....
|
|
|
Post by TheTallOne on Dec 22, 2005 15:10:28 GMT -5
I must agree with Plugg and Weaky. As human beings, we all tend to see life from our own vantage point or perception. Otis Williams is no different. His book is based on what he saw as the founding member. I'm sure anyone else who was ever a Temptation, will write accoding to their perception. Now again, with the exception of Melvin Franklin, everyone else left the group for one reason or another. The fact of the matter they are all EX Temptations, no matter how much we love them or how we feel about them. And it has always amazed me that the words that Paul Williams uttered in the beginning, "No one man is biggier than the group", still rings true today. Lets face facts. Paul left due to illness, but is remembered as the greatest Temptation. Despite being brilliant singes and being "the voices", David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks solo careers did not have the full flourish we all thought it would have had. Yet even then as well as now, the are remembered as Tempations Dennis Edwards. Great voice, lousy solo career. Now heads The Temptation Review. Still considered, a Temptation. Richard Street, Glenn Leonard, Ali Woodson now all head some type of "Temptation" group, but are still know as being a Temptation. The late Ricky Owens was a Vibration, yet still was a Temptation, if only for one night. Bo's solo career has not taken off. Yet, his claim to fame is that he was a Temptation. Theo Peoples, a good Temptation, now an even better Four Top. So if we really want to be honest, there are only two that remained The Temptations: Melvin lived and died a Temptation. Otis is still going strong as a Temptation, and I pray he continues on for as long as he can or wants to.
|
|
curet30
Junior Member
My current job
Posts: 57
|
Post by curet30 on Dec 22, 2005 15:25:24 GMT -5
I feel that there is room for everybody, as long as they are BILLED correctly, and don't PURPOSELY MISLEAD people, but that is another thread altogether. Hi Weaky... I whole-heartedly agree. The billing is done through the promoter. With that said, someone who represents Richard, Dennis, Ali Ollie, & Glenn have to stay on top of these promoters to make sure they do not mislead the public.
|
|
|
Post by kalisa2 on Dec 22, 2005 16:48:27 GMT -5
but I also think some fans are really, deep down, pissed that Otis is STILL ALIVE, singing, and getting praise for doing so. People hate on him, his group, whatever they can, just for those reasons alone. I mean, how dare Otis not be dead? It's really if you ask me, because those same "fans" diss his group and have never seen them. I wouldn't go so far as to say that, Weaky. That's just a plain horrible ugly thought, to be mad that someone is still alive and thriving.... no matter what we may think of an individual... being "pissed that they are still alive" is too strong, perhaps. Perhaps resentful that their favorite of the Classic 5, no matter who it may be, is not still here to favor us with their talents.... but even the meanest-spirited most hateful Temptations fan can't be mad that Otis isn't dead with the rest. I agree wholeheartedly with both points. It IS Otis-bashing to call him ugly names or make accusations about him which have no basis in fact or reality, so far as is provable. Calling him no-talent, no dancing, no singing... that is bashing... he's been doing it for 45 years and getting well paid for it... that's a talent in itself! Calling him a snake-in-the-grass, or backstabber, or snitch, or low class, or 'greazy-azz' ... we have no proof-positive of any of these things ... so that's bashing. Saying that we don't care for his voice, or the songs he sings lead on, or even his looks ... that we're entitled to, it isn't bashing, its our choice and preference. as far as what pluggg, and curet, and TheTallOne have said... I voice my agreement right here and now . As far as him singing lead... back in the day, that wasn't his choice. The writers, producers... whoever... they made those decisions. But these days... He's Da Boss... if he wanted to sing lead on every song they perform... he would. I haven't seen/heard him do one YET, though I've attended several live performances. That tells a story right there.
|
|
|
Post by Weak4Weeks on Dec 22, 2005 16:56:09 GMT -5
I wouldn't go so far as to say that, Weaky. That's just a plain horrible ugly thought, to be mad that someone is still alive and thriving.... no matter what we may think of an individual... being "pissed that they are still alive" is too strong, perhaps. OKay, maybe I was too strong on that. I mean, they are pissed that Otis, is still performing. I didn't mean alive in a sense of not being DEAD. I mean he is moving, making money, and supposedly living off others legacy, just because he didn't sing lead? This is what I am talking about. It is his legacy as much as anyone else's is all I am saying. RATHER he sang lead or not is of little importance to me, he is still a member of the Classic FIVE, still with us today. ;D
|
|
|
Post by kalisa2 on Dec 22, 2005 17:04:04 GMT -5
I wouldn't go so far as to say that, Weaky. That's just a plain horrible ugly thought, to be mad that someone is still alive and thriving.... no matter what we may think of an individual... being "pissed that they are still alive" is too strong, perhaps. OKay, maybe I was too strong on that. I mean, they are pissed that Otis, is still performing. I didn't mean alive in a sense of not being DEAD. I mean he is moving, making money, and supposedly living off others legacy, just because he didn't sing lead? This is what I am talking about. It is his legacy as much as anyone else's is all I am saying. RATHER he sang lead or not is of little importance to me, he is still a member of the Classic FIVE, still with us today. ;D Yes, you're most definitely right there. I will add.... when it all started, all five, regardless of their roles in the group, were getting the same pay. Lead or background. Obvious same 'perceived value' from each of them.
|
|
|
Post by Weak4Weeks on Dec 22, 2005 17:11:02 GMT -5
I agree with your definition of Otis bashing. I think the world of Otis, for my own reasons, but I wont call it bashing if someone wants to discuss him in a non favorable manner. But saying he is ugly, greasy, eel like, fat, whatever the childish tactic may be, won't be tolerated.
|
|
|
Post by janebse on Dec 26, 2005 14:24:10 GMT -5
I think the reason we even have such a thread as "the real temptation" is due to Otis. He has kept them "the real Temptations." I've sat next to people who were seeing the first Temptations concert (have only seen one of the review groups) and who asked me if "The Temptations were professional." I asked them what group they had previously seen. They were waiting their first concert of The Temptations(Otis). They told me, and I merely said, "After the concert tell me if you think they were professional." I did not say what I thought or anything else. After the concert I asked them, "Were they professional?"
Their faces lit up and they said, "Oh, yes, everything we hoped to see." and went up to talk to Otis. This happened more than once.
And so I say, Otis creates the real Temptations.
|
|
|
Post by Weak4Weeks on Dec 27, 2005 1:44:55 GMT -5
Well said Jane. I am talking about Otis in particular. You don't have to be his biggest fan to admit that he is 100% Temptation. I love going to concerts with skeptical people at first. Then as soon as the show begins they are immersed in the music, and just can't help but be delighted.
|
|
|
Post by Temptress on Dec 27, 2005 22:39:51 GMT -5
I agree.........Otis is 110% Temptation. By Temptation I mean. He makes me speechless...Otis and Terry
|
|