Otis Williams facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Otis Williams
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Williams in 2022
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Otis Miles Jr. |
| Born | October 30, 1941 Texarkana, Texas, U.S. |
| Origin | Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1958–present |
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Otis Williams (born Otis Miles Jr.; October 30, 1941) is an American singer, songwriter, and producer. He is best known as the founder and last original member of the famous Motown vocal group, The Temptations. Williams still performs with the group today and owns the rights to their name.
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Early Life
Otis Williams was born Otis Miles Jr. in Texarkana, Texas. His parents separated when he was very young. He was raised by his grandmothers in Texarkana. When he was ten years old, his mother moved him to Detroit, Michigan, where he lived with her and his stepfather.
Music Career
Starting Out
As a teenager, Otis became very interested in music. He decided to use his mother's maiden name, Williams, as his stage name. He formed several singing groups, including Otis Williams and the Siberians, the El Domingoes, and the Distants.
In 1959, his group, The Distants, had a local hit song called "Come On." Otis Williams helped write this song. Later, he and his bandmates Elbridge "Al" Bryant and Melvin Franklin were offered a chance to sign with Berry Gordy's Motown Records. They joined with Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams from another group called The Primes. In March 1961, they signed with Motown and became "The Temptations."
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The Temptations' Success
The Temptations became one of the most successful groups in soul music. They have been famous for almost 50 years! Many talented singers have been part of the group over the years. Otis Williams sings both tenor and baritone parts in the group.
Some of The Temptations' most famous songs include "My Girl" and "I Know) I'm Losing You." The group has won four Grammy Awards and has been nominated for nine.
Even though Otis Williams has been with The Temptations the longest, he usually sings background vocals. He is known as the "baritone in the middle." His main role is being the group's leader and organizer. He rarely sings the main lead part on songs. However, you can hear him sing lead on songs like "This Guy's in Love with You" and "I Ain't Got Nothing." He also speaks parts in songs like "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" and "Masterpiece."
Recent Years
The Temptations have had many different members over the years. Otis Williams and Melvin Franklin promised each other they would never leave the group. Melvin Franklin stayed until 1994, when he could no longer perform. He passed away in 1995. This made Otis Williams, at 53 years old, the last original member of the group.
Otis Williams is still a member of The Temptations today, in 2024. He has performed on every album the band has released. Their most recent album, Temptations 60, came out in January 2022. It even included a song with fellow Motown artist Smokey Robinson.
Other Projects
Otis Williams co-wrote a book called Temptations in 1988. This book was about his life and the history of the group. Ten years later, the book was made into a TV show called The Temptations for NBC. An actor named Charles Malik Whitfield played Otis Williams in the show.
Personal Life
Otis Williams married Josephine Rogers in 1961. Their son, Otis Lamont Miles, was born that same year. They later divorced. Sadly, Otis Lamont Miles passed away in 1985 from an accident at his construction job.
Awards and Honors
In 1989, Otis Williams was honored by being inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Temptations. He also received an honorary doctorate degree from Stillman College in May 2006.
Discography
See also
In Spanish: Otis Williams para niños
