Statement from Veteran Activist/Journalist, Mark S. Allen on how Chicago's grassroots community remembers the life and legacy of the late vocalist Ali-Ollie Woodson of The Temptations
"In addition to being an activist, I have long been involved as a music disc-jockey and local party promotions and know how much Chicago's dance and steppers community loved Ali-Ollie Woodson for his many appearances at local events in Chicago, his performamces and despite his membership in one of the worlds most legendary groups The Temptations, Woodson was always easily accessible to fans and humble.
I saw Woodson recently at the funeral of Robert "Squirrel" Lester of The Chi-Lites where over 2,000 people attended and again, Woodson was easily accessible to fans who thanked him for his presence. Many in Chicago were glad to hear the recent promotions on radio station WVON that Woodson would be coming back to Chicago for a concert appearance on Friday, June 18th as part of the 50th year in show business tribute to Chicago's Otis Clay.
Ali-Ollie Woodson will surely go down in music history as doing more than just following in the footsteps of David Ruffin and Dennis Edwards as lead singer of The Temptations, but took the group to a another level with new hit songs, Lady Soul, Treat Her Like A Lady, and Some Enchanted Evening, steppers favorite The Jones and others in his 13 years. Woodson maintained he Ruffin, Edwards legacy and developed a new extended legacy for The Temptations through his lead singer tenure.
The steppers group I am a member of CHOSEN along with other legendary steppers DJ's like Mellow Chris, Steve Breeze, J. Minor Allen, Luther Gage, Sam Chatman and others will pay tribute the music of Ali-Ollie Woodson and his tenure with The Temptations at our 2nd Sunday Steppers set at The Gentle Persuasions Banquet Hall and Entertainment Center located at 8959 South Ashland in Chicago. Chicago music fans will never forget Ali-Ollie Woodson and his love for Chicago and where his music legacy will live on. And just like the tenures as lead singers of The Temptations, David Ruffin, and Dennis Edwards, Ali-Woodson's 13 year membership now stands the 13 years leacy of Ali-Ollie Woodson.
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