The Temptations & Four Tops celebrate 40 years together in San Diego

I’ve often asked people what their “desert island albums” are… you know, the top five they’d pack if they were boarding a doomed plane bound to crash on a desolate island where they’d stay for the rest of their life. Naturally, we all would have the foresight for this, hence the question. Most pick a mix of modern alt rock, rap, pop, EDM… maybe a throwback to the 80s or 90s. Old souls would choose a Beatles or Zeppelin album. Acidheads surely would opt for Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon…

Well, mine’s a mix across eras and genres, with number five being a firm Four Tops ‘Greatest Hits’.

It just gets me going. My mom would play early Four Tops on the weekend mornings growing up, while she cooked or cleaned or did other mom stuff. As an adult now, I tend to do the same. Funny how music has a way of making its mark on us…

Naturally, I’ve always wanted to see the Four Tops live although my hopes were dismal to begin with (considering the age of band) and dashed completely as of 2024 (when the last original member, Abdul “Duke” Fakir, unfortunately passed away). Even still, the thought of just enjoying the music live was more than enough to make me travel to Valley Center, CA (an hour outside of San Diego) on a cold Sunday night in the middle of January. Because, as it turns out, the legacy of the Four Tops is still alive and well through Ronnie McNeir, Lawrence Payton Jr. (son of original member Lawrence Payton), Theo Peoples, and Michael Brock. And, damn, do they put on a show!

And that’s not even to mention who they’re performing with…

Celebrating 40 years touring together, the Four Tops join The Temptations once again on the road — and I got to witness the southern California stop. The crowd pouring into the Harrah’s Rincon Casino event center was definitely older, most dressed to the nines in their best 60s and 70s get-ups. We’re talking crushed velvet, hats with feathers, and lots of sequins — but in true fashion of those who were there, not trendy Millennials dressing up for hippie Halloween.

On first were the Four Tops, promising right off the bat to play “every. single. one.” of the hits we all were there to hear. One after the other after the other got everyone out of their seats and singing along, from “Standing In the Shadows of Love” and “Bernadette” to “Reach Out (I’ll Be There” and “”. They even went into a rendition of Marvin Gaye‘s “What’s Goin’ On”! By the end of the set, the announced they only had “one more” to play; gee, what could it be?? Launching into “Can’t Help Myself”, the whole place screamed and danced — it sure got me giddy!

And then, there was The Temptations.

What a double whammy to experience! From the funky easly 70s bassline of “Papa Was A Rolling Stone” to 60s hits like “The Way You Do The Things You Do” and “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg”, it was a center-wide sing-along with people dancing out of their seats everywhere. In sparkly metallic suits, The Temptations danced at the front of the stage, putting on their renowned A-list performance done for nearly 65 years now. Leaving the casino, I was on a Motown high — just like my momma raised me to be. It was a spectacular show that I wouldn’t sleep on if the tour comes to a town near you.

Photography by Kristy Rose

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