On Thursday, Feb. 23, The Temptations stepped with flair and grace as they delighted the crowd with music from their new CD “Still Hear” with their performance in the H. Ric. Luhrs Preforming Arts Center.
The Temptations have been making music since 1961, and have been a part of the foundation that created the Motown sound for decades. The group’s earlier roster reads with such musically acclaimed voices as Eddie Kendrick, David Ruffin, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin and Dennis Edwards.
Speaking with patrons as they waited to take their seats, Nate McDaniel, Mel Clarke, Ernie Watterson and Jane Peyton all agreed that in their generation.
The Temptations were the group that other groups wanted to imitate. Peyton explained her first time seeing The Temptations, was in Harrisburg in 1968, fondly remembering David Ruffin being the lead singer.
The Temptations’ earlier hits read like the soundtrack of American history, “My Girl,” “Since I Lost My Baby,” “Poppa was a Rolling Stone,” to name a few.
The group has lost many members over the years, but the one thing that The Temptations have never lost is showmanship.
Williams, who rarely takes the lead on the group’s songs, gave his rendition of “For Your Love I Would Do Anything.” The group then preformed the classic tune “Get Ready” that brought the crowd to their feet.
With their 10-piece horn section it brought back the true essence of the Motown sound. There was no doubt that after 50 years, they are still Motown royalty.
The Temptations’ new project “Still Hear” is the group’s 49th album and is still setting a standard of what good R&B music is all about.
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