T E X A R K A N A M A G A Z I N E
who will be 80 years old this October, is the founding, and only surviving, member of the original super-group, The Temptations. He is unlike any other musical artist in American culture. June 2021 marks the sixtieth anniversary since the founding of this legendary group. Dr. Otis Williams,
The cultural significance of Dr. Williams’ overall life achievements, along with the success and longevity of his musical career, have made him an icon of entertainment. His personal journey from Texarkana, Texas, to Motown and eventual global superstardom, is chronicled in the acclaimed autobiography, Temptations , written with The New York Times best-selling author Patricia Romanowski. There is also an Emmy Award-Winning television mini-series entitled The Temptations and a smash hit Broadway musical, Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations , which won the 2019 Tony Award for Best Choreography . Broadway producers also announced a touring production of the musical will appear in more than fifty cities across America, in 100+ weeks on dates to be determined. The Temptations ranked #1 in Billboard Magazine’s most recent list of the Greatest R&B/Hip-Hop Artists of All Time, and the group also appears in the magazine’s list of the 125 Greatest of All Time Artists (2019). In September 2020, the editors of Rolling Stone magazine commented that The
Temptations are, “indisputably the greatest black vocal group of the Modern Era…,” and listed the group’s Anthology album among the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time . The Anthology album has appeared in all three of Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums’ lists. The Group has sold millions of albums, won four Grammy ® Awards plus a Grammy ® Lifetime Achievement Award, and has been inducted into the Grammy ® , Rock and Roll, Rhythm and
Blues Music, and Vocal Group Halls of Fame. The Temptations also have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and in June 2019, Dr. Williams and members of The Temptations’ legendary, classic five line-up were inducted into Apollo Theater’s “ Walk of Fame. ” Dr. Otis Williams was also honored at the Apollo Theater’s 85th Anniversary Gala on June 10, 2019. The Temptations delivered Motown’s first-ever Grammy ® at the 11th Annual Grammy ® Awards ceremony in 1969 for Best Rhythm and Blues
FROM OUR TOWN TO MOTOWN Out of the almost eight billion people in the world, there are only a handful who have earned the title of “Living Legend.” Of those legendary few, Texarkana can proudly claim one of the greatest who grew up right here in our city. In 60 years of artistry, he has earned more accolades than most people do in an entire lifetime. But our hometown legend is still making music and entertaining fans. For those of us who love Texarkana, USA, Dr. Otis Williams is a source of pride. From our town to Motown, Dr. Williams has paved the roads with slick dance moves, beautiful music and Grammy ® gold. photo by Jay Gilbert BY KARA HUMPHREY AND MARI LYN DUCKSWORTH-DAVI S
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C OMM U N I T Y & C U L T U R E
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