News Item
Former Temptation Ali Ollie Woodson Dies
More sad news. Former Temptation Ollie Woodson died on 30 May 2010 following a long battle with leukaemia. He was 58 years old.
Prior to joining The Temptations in 1984, Ollie sang with The Drifters and Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes (post-Teddy Pendergrass). He also guested with a host of acts like Freda Payne, and was backing vocalist for Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston, among others. But he enjoyed high profile acclaim when he joined The Temptations during a period that wasn’t their finest hour , as it involved Dennis Edwards leaving them and their move from Motown to Atlantic Records.
In time The Temptations returned to Motown with Dennis in the line-up but success wasn’t immediate. When Dennis left for a second time, Ollie took over lead vocals and can he heard on the brilliant 'Truly For You' album, where he easily earned a place alongside senior members of the group. Ollie also brought his composing skills into the group when he co-penned the group’s international million seller 'Treat Her Like A Lady'. He can next be heard on 'To Be Continued..' and looked to be settled into the line-up until Dennis Edwards returned again to replace him. Within a year, Dennis left again, with Ollie replacing him, until 1996 when he left The Temptations for good.
Ollie’s future included acting, touring with other former Temptations - Damon Harris and Richard Street – before creating 'The Emperors Of Soul' performing Motown classics, including The Temptations’ hits of course, across the world. Five years after leaving the group, Expansion Records released his first solo album 'Right Here All Along', and during 2009 he issued his second outing 'Never Give Up' on his own Ollywood Records. Also this year, he guested on super group Tour De 4Force’s debut cd 'Quiet Moon' on two tracks 'Four Walls' and 'Heaven Bound'.
At time of writing, no funeral plans have been made. On behalf of us all at Blues & Soul, I’m sending our heartfelt condolences to Ollie’s family and friends, and like fans across the world, we’ll mourn our loss.
Words SHARON DAVIS
