Hey Mofos!

When I heard the 40th anniversary tour of The Four Tops and The Temptations was making a stop in Charlotte at Ovens Auditorium, I knew I had to be in the building. But after the passing of Duke Fakir in 2024, I honestly wasn’t sure what kind of energy the Four Tops would bring. Would it still hit the same? Chile, let me tell you, they did Duke and the audience proud.

The crowd was as diverse as the setlist. Senior citizens were shoulder to shoulder with Gen Z, all vibing like it was 1965 and we were rocking our finest set of bell bottoms and headbands. That’s the kind of power music has. It unites us. Doesn’t matter your age or your era. When the music is this timeless, everybody shows up.

The Four Tops lit up the stage with all their classics like “Reach Out I’ll Be There,” “Bernadette,” “Baby I Need Your Loving,” and “Ain’t No Woman (Like the One I’ve Got).” Lawrence Payton Jr., son of original member Lawrence Payton, has clearly inherited both the vocal chops and the charisma. Longtime member Ronnie McNeir added his smooth touch as always. And Theo? Whew. Theo’s voice on “I Believe in You and Me” gave me chills. I had no idea Whitney’s version was nearly identical to the original. Both versions are flawless. Talent, baby.

It was bittersweet though. No Duke singing “My Way” as their set was coming to a close. That moment used to hit different. I found myself missing how powerful that moment used to be when he sang that. I miss him always remembering who I was when I'd see him. It was my absolute honor to interview him for SoulTrain.com years ago. Rest well, Duke. You are missed.

Now let’s talk about that lighting. The flashing lights were enough to trigger my mom’s migraine into overdrive, and my own eyes were doing ping-pong loops trying to follow the action. Overstimulation much? I have to wonder how the rest of the audience was managing. I assume they either had to close their eyes, they have cataracts, or they just didn't mind the headache/eye ache. 

But let me give flowers where they’re due. Lawrence Payton Jr. was funnier than I’ve ever seen him. I’ve been to several of these collab shows over the years and maybe Duke had him reined in before, but this time he was on fire. His audience engagement had everyone clapping, laughing, and singing along.

Then came the Tempting Temptations. We all came to see Mr. Otis Williams. I don’t care what David Ruffin (in the television movie) says. Otis is the anchor, the heartbeat, the history. At 83 years old, this man was dancing, twirling, singing, two-stepping, and sitting down when needed, all while keeping pace with his younger counterparts. 

Shout out to NC Music Hall of Fame inductee Ron Tyson and his perfect falsetto. Still heavenly. Remind me to tell y’all about the time he walked me to my car after a show. Sweetest man ever. And then there’s the newest addition, actor and singer Tony Grant. Charlotte’s own. With Tyson and Grant in the mix, that Queen City and Monroe combo sang the roof off Ovens Auditorium.

Let me tell you, the Temptations have a new album out. They performed one of the new singles and it sounded so good I had to do a double take. They’re not just legends. They’re still evolving and creating. Of course they gave us the hits too. “Just My Imagination,” “The Way You Do the Things You Do,” “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,” and my forever jam, “Treat Her Like a Lady.” I just about hurt myself trying to stand up and two-step with my elders. No regrets. Totally worth it.

Otis kept it real as always, sharing history with humor and telling stories about what artist development looked like under Motown. I may have yelled “WE NEED THAT NOW” a little too loudly. Oops.

I brought my mom as my guest for her birthday and she had an absolute ball. We sang, danced, clapped our steps in, and took a joy ride through memory lane with two of the most legendary groups in soul music.

Also, can we talk about how it didn’t take long to get out of the parking lot? We left with the crowd and still got out in under 10 minutes. That alone deserves a standing ovation.

If you get the chance to see these icons when they roll into your city, go. You won’t regret it. Worst case, you’ll sweat out your hairline from singing and dancing. Best case, you’ll feel the soul of music in your bones all over again.

Let me know if you check them out! 

~Meik