Temptations To Play Merced Fair
By Diane Booth Conway,
Merced County Fair Publicity Director

   You know the songs -- “My Girl,” “Get Ready,” “The Way You Do The Things You Do,” “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” – their list of classic hits goes on and on and “The Temptations” are coming to the 2007 Merced County Fair to sing them.
   The Temptations, one of the most successful groups in music history, known for their supreme vocal performances and trademark choreography, will perform Friday, July 20 in the Toyota Outdoor Theatre.
   The fair previously announced Josh Gracin, "American Idol's American Patriot," will kick off the fair's opening day, Tuesday, July 17; Bowling for Soup will play their upbeat pop/ rock/punk music, Wednesday, July 18; singer/songwriter Phil Vassar will perform Thursday, July 19; country star Collin Raye will headline at the fair, Saturday, July 21 and Graciela Beltran, called “La Reina del Pueblo,” “The People’s Queen,” by her fans, returns to perform at the 2007 Merced County Fair, Sunday, July 22 in the Toyota Outdoor Theatre.
   The fair runs July 17-22. All entertainment performing at the fairgrounds Toyota Outdoor Theatre will give one concert at 9 p.m. As always, all fair headline acts are free with the price of admission. The 2007 Fair theme is "Gateway to Great Cheese," a salute to cheese, one of the county's top agricultural products.
   For more than 40 years, The Temptations have propelled popular music with a series of smash hits -- four Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 singles and 14 Billboard R&B No. 1 singles, three Grammy Awards and sold-out performances throughout the world. Among the key players in the original Motown machine created by music mogul, Berry Gordy, “The Temps” started out in Detroit in the early 1960s and were the definitive male vocal group of the decade.
   The five-man group hit the big time with Smokey Robinson’s “The Way You Do the Things You Do.” A long string of hits followed with “My Girl,” “Get Ready,” “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” “It’s Growing,” “Since I Lost My Baby,” “Beauty is Only Skin Deep,” and “I Wish it Would Rain,” just to name a few.
   Beyond the incredible singing, The Temptations became known for smooth stepping and flawless presentations. The “Temptations Walk” – their trademark precise and energetic yet refined dance steps -- became a staple of American style – flair, flash and class. With their vocal performances, tailored suits and detailed choreography they set the bar for a long list of male soul and R&B groups, including the Jackson Five.
   When the Sixties and Seventies turned political, The Temps got serious. They changed their tone, dress and music, producing hits including “Runaway Child,” “Cloud Nine,” “I Can’t Get Next To You,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” and “Psychedelic Shack.” Some of their other hits include: “(I Know) I’m Losing You,” “You’re My Everything,” “All I Need,” “Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World is Today)” and “Just My Imagination.” The Temptations collaborated with several other artists in the recording studio including Diana Ross and The Supremes on “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me.”
   The Temptations have undergone personnel changes over the years, but the group remains true to their stellar sound. “Great singing will always prevail,” said Otis Williams, the only original member still with the Temptations. The group’s current line-up is Williams, G.C. Cameron, Joe Herndon, Terry Weeks and Ron Tyson.
   As the group evolved, they survived the whims of fashion, whether disco or techno and honored their tradition.
   In the Eighties, The Temptations prevailed with smash hits like Williams’ “Treat Her Like a Lady.” There was a 1998 NBC mini-series that chronicled the group’s history based on Williams’ autobiography, a ratings triumph in prime time that won an Emmy award.
   New albums followed with “For Lovers Only,” a collection of love standards that became a critically acclaimed instant classic. “Awesome,” released in 1991 also brought a new generation of fans. “Phoenix Rising” featuring the song “Stay,” was a platinum-plus mega hit.
   “Ear Resistible” grabbed a third Grammy Award in 2001for The Temptations and a legion of new fans. Their latest album, “Reflections,” contains covers of several popular Motown songs including Diana Ross and The Supremes’ “Reflections,” and The Miracles’ “Ooo, Baby, Baby.” The Temptations were nominated for a 2007 Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B vocal performance from “Reflections,” for their version of Marvin Gaye’s “How Sweet It is (To Be Loved By You).”
   “The Temps have always been known for great lead singers,” said Williams. “Today we have three of the greatest leads in the proud history of the group.” Tyson is perhaps the best high tenor in the business, he said.
   “The more we change the more we stay true to ourselves,” said Tyson. “We’re about singing straight-up soul. It’s a style that will live on forever.”
   Weeks grew up in Alabama and spent eight years in the Air Force before his makeshift audition for Williams on a Hollywood street corner. His smooth textures and tones express an extraordinary full range of feelings in his performances.
   Newest member Cameron’s discography spans three decades and reflects the influences of his musical mentors, Sam Cooke and Curtis Mayfield. His musical roots can be traced to rural Mississippi , where he was born and raised. The front man for the Motown group, The Spinners, for many years, and later a Motown solo artist, he brings an artistry of creativity to the group.
   “Our challenge is to live in the present while respecting the past. Our past is filled with riches only a fool would discard,” said Williams. “At the same time, we thrive on competition. As a Motowner, I grew up in the most competitive musical atmosphere imaginable. But we also understand that for a group with history, no matter how glorious that history might be, reinvention is the name of the game.”
   Many of the group’s legendary singers have died including Paul Williams, David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks and Melvin Franklin and others like Dennis Edwards, Richard Street and Ali-Ollie Woodson have moved on. But The Temptations’ sound is still bright and their popularity is astounding.
   The Temptations’ songs have been covered by many musicians from Luther Vandross to The Rolling Stones. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked The Temptations No. 67 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
   For information, call the fair office at 722-1507 or email to Info@MercedCountyFair.com or fax at 722-3773. Visit the 2007 Merced County Fair’s award-winning website, www.MercedCountyFair.com

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