The Temptations and The Four Tops bring Motown back

Two legendary names in American music showed the Bryce Jordan Center this weekendthat not only are they still singing, but they can still deliver shows to standing ovations.
On Friday night, “A Christmas with The Temptations & The Four Tops” threw the BJC back to the old times of Motown, singing classic hits and Christmas tunes. The two bands are performers of some of the most iconic songs in music: “My Girl” by The Temptations and the Four Tops’ song “I Can’t Help Myself” (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch) have some of the most memorable lines in all music.
Before the show began, State College resident Ted McDowell said he’s been a fan of the groups since the 60s, and explained why he was excited.
“They’re a piece of history,” McDowell said.
He said he was there to see a group that’s been around for so many years that can still entertain.
Dave McCalips has been a fan since high school and came to the show to see if the musicians could still perform as well as they used to.
Janelle Stewart, his fiancée, was seated next to him. She said she had always been a fan, but had never heard the groups in person, only on the radio or on CD.
When the concert began, The Temptations, including original member Otis Williamscame onto the stage, themselves wearing orange-colored suits with purple trim, some audience members giving a standing ovation.
The group’s performance included Christmas songs like its own version of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” hits like “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me”  and more. They got audience members close to the stage and to wave their arms, all while members joked and danced.
The band performed “My Girl,” as the second to last number, after dubbing it “The Temptations’ National Anthem.”
After a brief intermission, the Four Tops took the stage, and again, audience members rose from their seats to applaud the group. Within the first number, the audience was singing along.
During their performance, original member Abdul “Duke” Fakir told the audience that the current members would be paying tribute to the other three original members who had passed, including a moving performance by Lawrence Roquel Payton Jr., son of original member Lawrence Payton.
This portion was one of audience member Jen McIntyre’s favorite parts of the concert, all of which she said was fantastic, and said that the bands sounded incredible.
“I thought the tribute the Four Tops did was really great,” McIntyre, Penn State softball’s assistant head coach, said.
After what seemed to be the show’s end, the group returned onstage to perform “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch),” getting all of the audience to sing along.