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From: whatiship73
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  • Otis was the main man with the group without him there was no Temps!

  • I wonder if David Ruffin ever say Otis sing like this?????????????

  • Otis Williams...The last original member of the Temptations

  • I like Otis Williams, he sings good in the songs that he needs to sing good in, he's not that bad.

  • What show is this from? I'm guessing this is from around 1976?

  • Mr. Otis sounds Great. Why he never had more leads? who knows?

  • Otis could sing

  • To say that Otis can't sing is insane -- if he can't sing, why/how is it that he was part of the greatest singing group of a generation? They were music superstars because they sounded great, and they would not have sounded great w/o 5 true singers. His personality and stage presence are not what you expect from a lead singer, and his voice is not as compelling as others, but he CAN sing. That's like saying a guy who starts on an NBA championship team can't play ball...what???

  • And people thought Otis couldn't sing. He had/has a good voice. Maybe not as good as some of the others, but it is still good. The Temptations wouldn't have sounded as good as they did if someone in the group couldn't sing. Otis was just more comfortable singing and harmonizing in the background. His biggest role was being the spokesperson and de facto leader of the Tempts. The one that was responsible for keeping everything in line. And that remains his role to this day.

  • das ist doch ein deutscher sender der das übertragen hat oder ? :)

  • Darlene baby of 5'2 although your small in size your love out measures you. (thats a lot of love)

  • Otis Williams talent and strength is in musical management, not in singing. Would you buy this record?

  • @irocproject The studio release of this isn't bad if you like that mid '70s Motown sound. This live version is awful.

  • Get real people. Nobody loves the Temps as much as I do, but the fact is that Otis was the only member of the original group that couldn`t sing. He stayed in the background for a reason.

  • @knightd12 lol a live version isnt really an indicater of singing talent i mean the temptations danced there asses off and the quality in this video is bad and this is old

  • @mjjcng8958 Otis played an important role in the group, singing just wasn`t his strong suit. He did things like making sure the guys showed up for rehearsals and got to the airport on time. The "My Girl" Temptations had 3 legitimate lead singers. Almost unheard of to this day. And I have heard Otis sing on a studio recording. My critique of his vocal abilities remain unchanged. LOL Love me some Temptations!

  • @knightd12 that is all good but i think he is good.

  • @knightd12

    you say my girl had 3 lead singers? david and who else??, please let me know!!!

  • @knightd12 That brother could sing. Don't believe me, then check out Don't Send Me Away and The Temptations covers of Let It Be and I'll Be There.

  • Thank you, David self-destructed so please stop blaming Otis for his demise. When the drug becomes more important than your life, your family, your career or your friends, you know its you that brought yourself down and no one else.

  • Otis Sung Darling Stand By Me He Actually Is a Very good singer WOW He should have sung more leads G.L.K.

  • Otis Sung Darling Stand By Me He Actually Is a Very good singer WOW He should have sung more leads G.L.K.

  • True Temptations fans know that everyone of them sang lead at one time or another. Many of their songs had multiple leads. they all could sing and brought a distinct soound to the group. That is what made them great. True I think there is none like Eddie, but the group was complimented by each member. Viva la Temptations music and those who love it.

  • Otis should have had more leads. he added a whole other "spinners" kind of element to the temps sound.

  • @gittahfiend exactly !the spinners come to my mind otis, sings very well. could have got a job with that group too

  • Billboard 100 is a Baseline to measure music.

    Stock Charts are Baselines to measure companies.

    Is this song on the Billboard 100 hit?

    Otis sung the song , like everyone else, to eat.

    Now, if you want to buy Otis a new Cadillac?

    Otis won't complain.

  • @Marialark47 If you drew a L chart

    Vertical Axis : Talent

    Horizontal Axis : Time

    The Temptations peak with David Ruffin singing lead.

    All people excell in a role.

    Otis Williams role is The Temptations survival, business and group owner.

    Otis Williams is great in his role.

  • @Marialark47 you know those sandwiches taste is good !

  • @Marialark47 In the Temptations movie Barry Gordy character said it best:

    "if you were down to your last dollar, would you buy this record or a sandwich?"

    Otis Williams song a sandwich with a famous name.

    If you change or remove The Temptations group name.

    The group is now called "Big O and The Xmen".

    Marialark47, would you still say Otis Williams can sing good?

    Marialark47 is already on the third sandwich !

  • This is the FIRST time I've EVER seen Otis take center stage and sing. He should've done more of this. He is really, really good.

  • I love Otis voice I wish he would have sang lead more often

  • I never knew Otis had such a beautiful voice. What wonderful song, I enjoyed this song alot.

  • This is a perfect example why they didn`t let Otis sing lead. He was the only original singer that wasn`t a lead singer. But hey, I can`t sing either.

  • How to hire an Evaluator.

    Temptations Movie Quote

    "if you were down to you last dollar would you buy this record or buy a sandwich ?"

  • Otis own the Temptations.

    Otis responsibility to Motown was to bring in revenue.

    Question: Why didn't Otis sing lead in the 60s ?

    Norman Whitfield, Smokey Robinson nor Barry Gordy was allow it!

    Saying Otis sounds good is indirectly saying you have a better ear for music than Whitfield, Robinson or Gordy.

    Otis Can't Sing. Kissing Otis Butt Won't Help You!

  • Otis Williams was a great manager and organizer for the Temptations.

    Otis Williams was not a talented singer and was a Tempt because he own the Temptations group. All of Motown's groups are identify as Lead Singer & Band except the Temptations. Otis Williams as owner would not allow it, right so. This video is proof that Otis Williams, like most of us, can not sing. Was Otis Williams smart? Very smart man!

  • @woo142 What are talking about Otis has a beautiful voice, He didnt like lead becuase he is shy,and did not like the attention,

  • @woo142

    The Four Tops. The Commodores. The Spinners. The Jackson 5. The Andantes. The Contours. The Isley Brothers. The Marvelettes. The Originals. The Pointer Sisters. The Undisputed Truth.

    The Tempts were not the only group to be about the group, not about one lead singer. It was a mutual decision, not only Otis'. The Temptations even joke about it onstage on the Talk of the Town Album. Otis can sing. He is also smart, we agree on that.

  • Great as always!!!

  • like the group but to much dont like the song

  • @topsmaniac you told them the truth, Otis is a great artist and business man. Great job Temptations.

  • Otis sounds like shit on this video. lmao @ some of your comments. It is clear why he was in the background while David and Eddie got the leads.

  • @cowboys3000 ur so right i agree.

  • @cowboys3000 Hey Genius, If you knew anything about music

    you'd realize that the background is just as important as the lead.

    Also, it takes a lot of talent to last in the music business as long as

    Otis has. What's your claim to fame ?

  • Big props to Otis Williams with the help of Melvin Franklin for 35 years from 1960 - 1995 and Ron Tyson for the last 27 years from 1983 - present for keeping The Temptations very much alive well passed their hay days of the 1960s and 70s.

  • @Jennykate1985 I agree 100%

  • We all have our TEMPT's fav'c, MINE?

    I've listed them many times and their names grace the leads of every Tempts

    #1 & TOP 10 record from '62 thru '71, need I say more?

    The current group with Otis are outstanding, but, my fav's are HOF ORIGINAL

    Dennis Edwards and the Tempts Review, Paul WIlliams Jr (A very humble and

    ultra talented singer, David Sea, and the other two fella's.

    It's all good.

  • Comment removed

  • It sure is nice to see Otis singing lead for a change =D

  • Otis sound good singing lead

  • this group could really move!

  • Otis sucks!

  • Ya'll too polite on the Otis "tribute".

    Otis is a background singer, not a lead

    singer.

    Listen to the old Distants records, you''

    understand.

    BTW, why would he have wanted more leads when he realized what (they) had with David, Eddie & Paul?

    No way in the universe he would have wanted embarrass himself.

  • Otis sounds great. He admits he is not comfortable singing lead, but that says nothing about his talent and his beautiful voice as a lead singer, especially on ballads. Listen to Read Between the Lines, from Hear To Tempt You, or For Your Love/You Send Me from the 1995 album For Lovers Only.

    Agreed, he is probably the best person to stay in the background, but not because of his lack of ability as a lead singer, but because of his ability to sing whatever part is needed when someone else leads

  • Again, only reason anyone would mention mid 90's work is due to the absence of David, Dennis, Eddie & Paul. Looking at things from just a singers standpoint, OK, acceptable, this with (I believe) Ollie Woodson & Al Tyson still there. Fom businessman's standpoint, very good choice. Problem is, we die-hards are stuck on The Classic 6) Includes Dennis, no sub's. The Primes brought the leads, not the Distants, and David Ruffin was beyond all of them, vocally & visually.
  • He only sang lead because the "original guys" weren't there? and it was a business choice? He doesn't sing lead on Pheonix rising, but it went quadruple platinum...in 1998. No leads by him, or other original members on Ear-Resistable, but that one a grammy, in 2000. I don't think it was a business choice, I think it was a song he wanted to and felt comfortable leading on, and it sounded awesome.

    By the way his name is Ron Tyson, not Al.

  • beyond all of them visually? honestly he did not look that good at all, he wasn't that CUTE either.

    and vocally, i mean he has HIS voice, just like everyone in the group, Otis had his Voice that moved the back vocals, and in MOST of the songs you could hear him clearly in the back, Eddie has his unique falsetto that only he could do, melvin had his unique bass that only he could do and Paul has his Unique baritone that could wake the Dead, they were all essential to the group's success.

  • :@mrjoshjones1: Look again honey, Ruffin was one ugly ass fucker!!!!.

    By the way only Ron Tyson is still there Allie Woodson left late 80s, the current members are: Otis Williams, Ron Tyson, Terry Weeks, Bruce Williamson and Joe Herndon.

  • @JakeJax You Nailed It !

  • @JakeJax Very nicely said. His voice is not the strongest for lead parts, but he can fit in anywhere you need him, which takes just as much skill.

  • Comment removed

  • Otis sang leads on the following 'I Ain't Got Nothing', shared the lead on 'I See My Child' (on the Atlantic label), and 'Can't You See Sweet Thing' (the Power LP) and a duet with Diana Ross 'For Better Or Worse' - all well done I must say

  • Don't forget This Guys In Love With You, with Diana Ross. and Don't Send Me Away, as well as For Your Love/You Send Me, from 1995's For Lovers Only album.

  • This was a pleasure to watch. I'd know Otis' voice anywhere. It's the first time I've ever seen them perform this song. One of my favorites. It's not ALWAYS all about Dennis with me!

  • I see there are a few comments wondering if a lot of tempts fans would recognize Otis voice if they didn't see the video...I was about 7 or 8yrs old when the way you do the things you do came out..and have been a tempts fan since..I would recognize all of the tempts voices anytime..Otis also done a solo called I aint got nothing..I think its on the temptations all directions album..he done a great job on that song as well..it was a business decision to put David out front and it worked well..

  • Is that Richard to the left of Otis?I know it's Melvin to the left rear ,Dennis to his right and I guess Glenn to the right rear of Otis.Then tell me this ,who is doing the tenor voice?Is it Richard?

  • Wonder why "whatiship73" only named 4 Tempts?Wonder if he,or she,intentionally left out Dennis Edwards name, or was it an honest mistake.....

  • ....honest mistake....sorry!

  • Thanks' whatiship'.I knew it was an honest mistake......It's all good....(smile)

  • @Screwball263 True dat man.

  • He sings, yes & not bad, but he doesn't have that type of voice that stands out.

  • This song doesnt do his voice justice,he has better leads on other songs

  • I have heard plenty he has sung. I didn't say he was a bad singer, just that he doesn't have that type of voice that stands out. For instance David Ruffin has a gritty sound that was unmistakeable, Eddie Kendricks had that trademark falsetto, which stood right out, Melvin Franklins bass was all his own. Pauls voice was soulful...now I ask if a song was released today would you know it was Otis without then saying so? I hardly think so whereas the rest you'd know immediately

  • Its a matter of opinion.I think his voice does stand out. If a song was released today alot of people wouldn't know that it was Otis because alot of people never heard him sing lead before. If he was given more leads back in the 60's and 70's then most would know his voice. How are they going to recognize his voice immediately if they never heard his voice?LOL

  • True enough. but most die hard temp fans would have heard Otis sing before, and would they pick him out?

    FYI.. Otis didn't really want the leads

  • Not true,alot of Tempt fans dont know how he sound. They probably know now because of youtube and the internet. I dont know why Otis didnt sing more, but according to him,the Tempts were a group of 5 lead singers

  • Yes, and we do.

  • ben E king is the king

  • this is a different song

  • A totally different " Stand By Me".And I love this rendition.He may not be David Ruffin,or Eddie Kendrick, but he still gets my vote.I love "Don't Send Me Away".He really tore it up on that one.He "CAN" sing.

  • Any more footage from that show?Man I dig that performance and the song is a smash.I never heard it before until here on YouTube,and I've been a Temp fan for like....ever! And I'm 63 years young......

  • never heard otis sing lead until now. he has a good voice. LOL

  • anyone know what year this was recorded,and where?I'm guessing early 70's or so?

  • 1975

  • Well the way I see it ,first and foremost,the man "CAN' sing.Which is saying a lot.Keep on keeping on "Big O"

  • The man is versatile indeed. 1st tenor 2nd tenor and baritone, and occasionally lead singer. Better background voice though

  • gemini64100 I totally agree with you regarding your comment. David was a very talented man like all the other Temptations its a shame that he got caught up in drugs.

  • Whatever u may think about Mr. Otis he did not give David those drugs

  • Otis is a great singer

  • I have so much respect for the entire group but i know that it was a challenge for Otis to keep the group together, like so many others say it;s not the same without the originals. keep up the good work mr. Otis in remembrance of Paul, David, Melvin, Eddie & Al.

  • Otis also co-wrote this song along with "Treat Her Like a Lady" and others that the group sing...

    Since I was not there, I have little to say about how the group was run, but if any of you have ever been in a band or singing group (even with family), it can be quite a challenge holding things together...imagine all of the Temptations combustible energy in one group...I can only imagine the many times when it could have fallen apart totally...I'm glad that it didn't under any circumstances!

  • Who was the group for? A group stands together no matter what. I guess it was kind a like the Dallas Cowboys, the players change threw the years. But they are still the Dallas Cowboys.

  • i wish there was a video of him singing "Read between the Lines" or "Dont Send me away"

  • Oh i did'nt know Otis can sing. He's been slated over the years that he cannot sing. Not bad Otis.

  • wow, im shocked, he has a Very VERSATILE voice, Low, mid High, TAKE THAT HATERS

  • :@jjc0929: AMEN TO DAT!!!, TELL IT TO ALL THE HATERS!!!.

  • otis never got the credit he deserved x

  • :@Motownluver: AMEN TO DAT!!!, BUT HE PROBABLY DOESN'T CARE BECAUSE HE KEPT THE GROUP TOGETHER FOR 50 WHOLE YEARS, DESPITE THE MANY PERSONNEL CHANGES IT HAS FACED.

  • @Jennykate1985 Phenominal !  All Props To Otis Williams !!!!

  • Very fun clip! Thank you for posting.

  • for those who thought otis was living off of the voices of the temptations - look like you're going to have to eat those words. Otis can sing I LOVE his VOICE ! I just finish reading his book. otis is a good man.

  • he was u serious he sang lead on one song wow!!!!!!!

  • it is around 5 songs

  • i'll be there, Ain't got nothing, Read between the lines, Don't send me away, Stand by me.

  • forgot.

    This guy's in love with you, The Christmas song, and he sang a Lead in "Let it be" which i think he sounds BEST.

  • He sang on more than 1 song

  • otis should have gottin more lead i love his voice it so smooth to me

  • Hey Whatiship,you forgot Dennis Edwards

    Louis Price did'nt come along 'til 1977

    and left briefly thereafter, later one of the

    splinter group of Drifters. Truth is, Otis is

    a snob and always was, kind of Diana Ross minus the charisma. Got tired of

    being 5th guy on the Tempts totem pole.

  • i agree lol...Otis wanted the power and he got rid of the talent or helped get rid of the talent lol...ill give him one credit he can keep the harmony but he is no lead singer...They should of let Richard sing that song...he would of never got to sing that song if he was with the classic group..ruffin kendricks paul and melvin and him..he was def the last guy i would pick to hear in many lineups...but im glad hes earning his check lol

  • Otis never tried to take full control of the group. He just did not put up with any behavior that could screw up the group. He removed Ruffin from the group because of his constant drug abuse, irresponsibility (skipping rehearsals and even shows), and his egostical personality (he beleived he was better, more important than the rest of the group). His saying, "NO-ONE is bigger than the group." had kept them from destroying themselves for 50 whole years.

  • Otis didn"t get rid of David got rid of himself.

  • All of them fired Ruffin, it was unanimous, all 4 Temptations fired David Ruffin

  • All 4 Tempts fired Ruffin. Otis can sing lead believe it or not, its a matter of opinion, but after seeing the movie which is half fiction, most will not like him, but he definitely did his thing on I'll Be There.

  • Keep watching the movie

  • Awsome!!! Great Video. Otis is so underrated!

  • Oooooooooooo my goodness. Are you kidding me! I never thought this would have been performed live. Man I love this song by the Temps...a rare Otis lead and a great song overall. Thank you for posting this...I really appreciate it :)

  • any otis haters that think he was just the "leach"of the tempts will get a reality check when they hear this song,great job

  • The Temptations movie is really good..they sound the same in the movie as they do in this video

  • A rare lead vocal by Otis Williams! Nice!

  • i love this song..!

  • i love this!

    (:

  • Well done..Enjoyed it

    -Emile

  • I always thought that Otis had and still has a beautiful voice. He just have to find the ideal song to match his voice. And, this song fits perfectly for him, IMO

  • At 2:00, you can see sweat drip off his chin. Haha!

  • Otis sings well,great post

  • I always really liked this song, glad to see that the Tempts performed it for a time, Otis sounds in great form

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