City College Center for the Arts
City College Center for the Arts Celebrates The Temptations’ Legend, Otis Williams
A special live, virtual event that features a conversation with founding and sole-surviving original member of The Temptations, Otis Williams, and special guests, Temptations’ manager, Shelly Berger, members of the Temptations, Ron Tyson, Terry Weeks, Willie Greene, Jr., sharing memories about the “Evolution of The Temptations’ Music, 1961 -2021.”
This special virtual conversation took place at City College Center for the Arts Aaron Davis Hall on Monday, November 1st, 2021.
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Otis Williams, legendary recording artist, songwriter, executive producer and author said, “I am thrilled to be celebrating the group’s 60th Anniversary and my 80th birthday with our extended Tempts’ family from across the City College campus in Harlem, and throughout New York and the rest of the country. The Temptations had some of its most memorable performances in Harlem and other parts of New York during our career. To mark these capstones with an online discussion about my career at the prestigious and diverse City College of New York, a college known for its commitment to the Performing Arts, and for recognizing one of the greatest trailblazers in American music history, Marian Anderson, is an incredible honor for me and The Temptations.”
The Temptations, one of the most prolific musical institutions of all time and known as the “No. 1 R&B Artists of All Time” (Billboard), are commemorating their 60th Anniversary, now through June 2022. The year-long campaign will feature celebratory events along the way, including the Imperial Theatre re-opening on October 16th of the Broadway musical, Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations, based on Otis Williams’ personal journey, and the Tempts’ brand-new single, “Is It Gonna Be Yes or No,” available now. The single is a duet between the group and the equally legendary Smokey Robinson. The song is a preview of the upcoming Temptations 60 Album. The Temptations’ presence across multi-media platforms has never been more vivid, and their popularity is ever-increasing. Most recently, adding to their dozens of sampled tracks, their hit “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,” was used as the foundation of the Migos smash, “Avalanche.” Their #1 nationally rated Emmy® Award-Winning Television mini-series, The Temptations, which first aired to rave reviews in 1998, is still on air or streaming every day somewhere in the world. Williams’ autobiography, Temptations, was recently released as an audiobook edition for the first time, with a new introduction by Williams.
The Temptations were among the first African American musical artists to crossover into mainstream America and appear on popular, national television programs, such as The Ed Sullivan Show, and The Hollywood Palace in the 60s. Trailblazers, the group’s star power was so striking that these national programs, and many others, scheduled appearances for The Temptations multiple times in a single year. On December 9, 1968, Diana Ross & the Supremes and The Temptations starred in a network television special TCB (Taking Care of Business), a first for two African American music groups. According to published reports at the time, the television special won its time slot, was named the #1-rated television variety show in 1968 and received an Emmy nomination. The original cast soundtrack album, TCB, reached #1 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums’ chart. In July 1969, Motown produced a television special called The Temptations Show. In November of that same year, a third national television special, G.I.T. (Gettin’ It Together) on Broadway, starring Diana Ross & the Supremes and The Temptations aired nationally. Never before had two contemporary African American groups headlined their own #1 nationally rated television specials, all produced by Motown, an African American owned company. At the time, this was an unparalleled accomplishment for African American entertainers. The Temptations helped change the face of primetime television and fueled the growth in the performing arts and entertainment world for African American artists forever.
The group has won five GRAMMY® Awards, including a GRAMMY(R) Lifetime Achievement Award, and Motown’s first-ever statuette, awarded to the Tempts for “Cloud Nine” for Best Rhythm and Blues Performance by a Duo or Group, Vocal or Instrumental in 1969. Their No. 1 hits “My Girl” and “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” are in the GRAMMY® Hall of Fame. The group has been inducted into the Rock & Roll, National Rhythm & Blues Music, and Vocal Group Halls of Fame. Throughout the group’s evolution, they have released countless gold, platinum and multi-platinum chart hits, many considered American masterpieces.
