Four Tops & Temptations On Bbc Breakfast Time

[Roburt]

Both groups were on BBC TV this morning & came over really well (both talking & singing) ....

https://www.bbc.co.uk...t-arts-17364661

The Tops have a new lead singer -- Harold 'Spike' Bonhart (though Ronnie McNeir is still there).

Spike sounds as close to Levi as its possible to get !!!!

The UK tour should be good (Tavares are also on it & they were GREEEAAAATTTTT at Prestatyn).

[Donkit]

Spike sounds as close to Levi as its possible to get !!!!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Personally I didn't think so but did sound good. As you said "came over really well both talking & singing"

Don¯»¿

Edited March 14, 2012 by donkit

[kevinsoulman]

ive always thought billy ocean would make a great 4 tops lead

only an opinion

kev

[SOULCENTRAL]

ive always thought billy ocean would make a great 4 tops lead

only an opinion

kev

THATS A REFRESHING OPTION KEV.

i THOUGHT THE NEW LEAD SINGER FOR THE TOPS DID SOUND LIKE LEVI BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY NO-ONE COULD REPLACE HIM,HE WAS UNIQUE!!!!! :yes:

NOT TOTALLY CONVINCED ABOUT THE FRONTMAN FOR THE TEMPS THOUGH :g:

ROY

[Guest]

ive always thought billy ocean would make a great 4 tops lead

only an opinion

kev

Good call !

[Mickjay33]

i off to see them tomorrow nite in sheffield i saw them in notts in 2010 that was a great show just hope its as good as last time.

been talking to ronnie mcnair on facebook he reckons will love it hope so keep you posted

[Guest brummiemick]

I'm going to see them in Bournemouth on the 24th March - I can't wait. it seems incredible that 40 years after seeing the original line up that I will be hearing their music live again. The memories will come flooding back!

[Guest brummiemick]

Went last night to see the Four Tops, Temptations, Tavares & The Crystals down here in Bournemouth. To say I was disappointed in the Four Tops would be an understatement and I have decided that OVO is the only way in future to listen to my past heroes rather than waste money of live shows. When they kicked off with Loco in Acupulco the alarm bells starting ringing.

I am sure like me, the audience expected to hear a set of old Tops favourites but at least 4/5 of the songs were not theirs. Duke Fakir took us through a "tribute" section to the past members that was embarrassing IMHO. In honour of Obie Benson they sang "What's Going On", Roquel Payton then called his brother on stage and they did a duet a song about their Father, Ronnie McNeir then did something about Brothers and the Duke did a version of My Way called "Our Way". After wasting probably 15 minutes on this section they did return to some of the old favourites but by then they had lost the crowd. (note: I know Obie Benson co-wrote What's Going On)

The Temps followed headlining the show and were better value for money but I was so disappointed in the Four Tops set that I left before their finale. I didn't expect the Four Tops to be anywhere near as good as the originals but I did expect to hear them sing all their own stuff - its not like there wasnt enough!

For what's it's worth never my favourites but Tavares (on second) stole the show and were the only act to get the crowd really going.

One interesting point was that Earl van Dyke Junior was introduced on keyboards and conducting the brass section; he was a mountain of a man who was at least 35 stone!

Edited March 25, 2012 by brummiemick

[mark castle]

Went last night to see the Four Tops, Temptations, Tavares & The Crystals down here in Bournemouth. To say I was disappointed in the Four Tops would be an understatement and I have decided that OVO is the only way in future to listen to my past heroes rather than waste money of live shows. When they kicked off with Loco in Acupulco the alarm bells starting ringing.

I am sure like me, the audience expected to hear a set of old Tops favourites but at least 4/5 of the songs were not theirs. Duke Fakir took us through a "tribute" section to the past members that was embarrassing IMHO. In honour of Obie Benson they sang "What's Going On", Roquel Payton then called his brother on stage and they did a duet a song about their Father, Ronnie McNeir then did something about Brothers and the Duke did a version of My Way called "Our Way". After wasting probably 15 minutes on this section they did return to some of the old favourites but by then they had lost the crowd. (note: I know Obie Benson co-wrote What's Going On)

The Temps followed headlining the show and were better value for money but I was so disappointed in the Four Tops set that I left before their finale. I didn't expect the Four Tops to be anywhere near as good as the originals but I did expect to hear them sing all their own stuff - its not like there wasnt enough!

For what's it's worth never my favourites but Tavares (on second) stole the show and were the only act to get the crowd really going.

One interesting point was that Earl van Dyke Junior was introduced on keyboards and conducting the brass section; he was a mountain of a man who was at least 35 stone!

Fully agree Mick, we went to MEN show on Friday, slightly different running order, 4 Tops closed the show. Like you I was very disappointed with their set, surely they must realise that we're there to hear the songs that made us like them in the first place (My Way ffs).

Thought the rest of the show was really good though and agree with your comments about Tavares, great performance.

TBH I got bored with the Tops and left before they finished, as did a lot of others. Such a shame.

[Simon T]

If you get into BBC's iplayer, go to Hardtalk and there's an interview with Otis Williams which is quite enlightening. I think they say there's been 23 members of the Tempts and he comments on the likes of Dennis Edwards touring in groups as the "Temptations".

[Kris Holmes]

I'm a little surprised people would be expecting a live Tops or Tempts show to actually deliver the goods in this day & age. Caught them both a couple of years ago on the fly, fully expecting a corny trainwreck of a gig. Very average.

[Chalky]

Tend to agree with you Kris. These days both groups are little more than tribute acts when it comes to the material we all want to hear from them.