The Temptations’ last original member talks Motown, musicals and a request for Denzel

Few people can simply pop into a theater and see their life story unfold on stage. Or lay claim to music and lyrics you know by heart just from hearing those first few notes.

But then, few people are like Otis Williams.

At 81, he’s the last surviving original member of The Temptations, the R&B Motown band birthed in the tumult of the ’60s. The quintet is responsible for such all-time hits from “My Girl” and “Get Ready” to “Just My Imagination” and “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone.” Not to mention, “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.”

That last song was turned into a Tony-winning jukebox musical on Broadway in 2019. “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations” delves into their up-and-down journey from Motown to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. More than 60 years after they began, the group is still going strong.

The musical, by the way, was based on Williams’ own book about the band’s history. And it’s the occasion of the return of “Ain’t Too Proud” to Belk Theater in uptown Charlotte that Williams recently spoke with The Charlotte Observer from his home in Los Angeles.

Motown in the ’60s

It was no coincidence, Williams said, that the group got its start in 1961 in a two-story house in Detroit.

That modest site was the home of Berry Gordy Jr.’s Motown Records, aka “Hitsville U.S.A.” And Motown was, according to Williams, unlike any label before or since. He said he felt the hand of God steered the group there.

Williams sang baritone and second tenor, not lead, content to vocalize in the background.

The band’s original five members — Williams, Melvin Franklin, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams and Al Bryant — shifted into the “Classic Five Tempts” when David Ruffin replaced Bryant in 1964.

The group had a string of minor hits but not much else in those early years. The typical record label would have dropped the group if they hadn’t produced hits from the start, Williams said. Not Motown.

“They had a different feel for how they did business.”

But after The Temptations started working with Smokey Robinson, they finally landed their first big hit — “The Way You Do The Things You Do” in 1964 — followed in 1965 by their first Billboard No. 1 song: “My Girl,” a single that sold more than 1 million copies.

They were on their way.

Back to school at Motown

Motown also was about more than just the music.

Gordon made sure his groups were schooled in how to behave, both on and off the stage, as well as learned about the music industry as a business.

“Motown would take all that raw talent and teach us and refine us. ... And that’s what I try to pass on to the guys now,” Williams said. “I’ve seen some artists be real belligerent. Don’t do that. The fans put you there, and they’ll take you down real quick.”

He recalled seeing a group called The Cadillacs in the 1950s, when he was in his mid-teens. The band was signing autographs when one of the men made a comment about how a fan looked.

That moment stuck with Williams about how not to act.

As The Temptations’ fame grew, and members cycled in and out over the years, Williams remained the one constant. All told, there have been “27 strong singing brothers” in The Temptations over the years.

Williams wanted to school the new guys and instill the lessons he learned, as well as act as “the Henry Kissinger of The Temptations” because he’s the peacemaker of the group.

“Success is one thing,” Williams said. “But being a nice person makes the success even look better.”

You gotta play the hits

After six decades of performing, The Temptations don’t take anything for granted, according to Williams. They still rehearse. They still work at being the professionals that fans expect.

And with such an extensive catalog to draw from, the group tries to mix it up a bit at their concerts.

One time, however, they went too far. When the Classic Tempts were together, they dropped “My Girl” for one concert. “Did you know they called us every name except ‘child of God’ because we didn’t do ‘My Girl’?

“So I said, guys, “My Girl,” “I Wish It Would Rain,” “Just My Imagination,” “Ain’t Too Proud” ... there are certain songs we have to do.”

And don’t try to mess with the melody either. Fans are quick to notice that, too, as one did after a slight change to one of the classics in a Vegas show.

“I’m glad I’m around to keep it true,” Williams said.

The Temptations in Charlotte

The Temptations have been performing in Charlotte since the ’60s, sometimes appearing two or three times a year.

They played venues that are long gone, some that are still here and even at the occasional private party. Most recently, The Temptations were here last September at Ovens Auditorium touring with fellow Motown stars The Four Tops.

“It’s a shame we don’t play it like we used to,” Williams said. “Charlotte’s a great city. I love Charlotte and met some wonderful people there over the years.”

He said that included a “young lady that I grew to be very, very fond of.” But Williams didn’t want to say much more, or he’d risk getting her husband mad.

Besides, the band is there to satisfy the fans. And Charlotte fans, Williams said, they “are outta sight.”

Making ‘Ain’t Too Proud’, the musical

Williams was keenly involved in the making of the musical, which was based on his book.

He said the show is about “90 to 95%” the truth, with some dramatic license thrown in to make sure it flowed well.

The show’s book writer, Dominique Morisseau, and director Des McAnuff came to California to talk with Williams. They wanted to ensure there was depth to the show, not just, as Willaims said, “fluff, fluff. ... It’s not just about us singing and dancing.”

When it came time to finally see “Ain’t Too Proud” debut on Broadway, that was a pure kid-on-Christmas-morning moment for Williams.

“It’s like I’m looking at the tree and I saw all these wonderful gifts,” he said. “I never would have imagined my life story would be a hit.”

Hey, does anyone know how to reach Denzel Washington?

Finally, for someone who’s been in the public eye since the early days of the Kennedy administration, what’s left to know about Williams?

Well, it turns out, he likes to sketch. Quite a lot. And he’s gotten quite good at it, drawing whatever strikes his fancy, including sketches of Janet Jackson and Diana Ross.

Then he saw an article with Denzel Washington’s picture and drew that. “I’m not trying to be braggadocios,” Williams said, “but I sketched it so dog-gone good that I’m trying to get in touch with Denzel to give him one.”

He’s been trying to find someone who knows how to reach out to Washington. No luck so far.

So Denzel, if you’re reading this, we can help you get in touch with Williams.

Or, Pauletta Washington (that’d be Denzel’s wife, who grew up in Newton, about an hour north of Charlotte), if you’re reading this, give us a call?

Williams “Ain’t Too Proud” to ask for help.

‘Ain’t Too Proud’

What: The jukebox musical about “The Life and Times of The Temptations”

When: July 25-30

Where: Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte

Tickets: Go to blumenthalarts.org/events

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