Otis Williams stood proudly just down the block from his old Detroit home, as he helped unveil a commemorative city marker bearing his name. The dedication of Otis C. Williams Street was a festive event, celebrating the 82-year-old founder of The Temptations. On a sunny Saturday afternoon, Williams was visibly moved by this honor from the city where his musical journey began.
“To have my name on the street that I used to live on — I never would have imagined such wonderful accolades would be bestowed upon me, and I am so very thankful,” Williams told the gathered crowd, which included Motown figures, civic dignitaries, and enthusiastic neighborhood residents. Dressed in a sparkling jacket, sunglasses, and a “DETROIT”-emblazoned cap, Williams expressed his gratitude to the fans and the 27 singers who have performed with him in The Temptations over the years.
“I just love you all for loving us throughout all the changes that we’ve been through,” said Williams, the group’s sole surviving original member. He also paid tribute to the Temptations’ longtime manager, Shelly Berger, who was present at the event. The street designation — located along Wisconsin Street at Santa Clara on Detroit’s northwest side — joins other streets in the city named after Motown legends, such as Stevie Wonder Avenue, Marvin Gaye Drive, Aretha Franklin Way, and David Ruffin Avenue.
Williams lived in the neighborhood from 1968 to 1970, during a time when The Temptations were becoming one of the most successful vocal groups in history. Years earlier, he had spearheaded the formation of the group, and the Temptations’ “Classic Five” lineup — Melvin Franklin, Eddie Kendricks, David Ruffin, Paul Williams, and Otis Williams himself — became a Motown powerhouse, achieving global fame with their harmonies and stage presence. The renaming was approved by the Detroit City Council after a two-year effort initiated by Williams’ nephew, Ali Little, and supported by the Black United Fund of Michigan, the Motown Museum, and council member Angela Whitfield Calloway.
“It takes a village, even when you’re celebrating a giant,” said Robin Terry, CEO and chairwoman of the Motown Museum. The dedication ceremony was attended by notable figures such as Calloway, Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield, Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, and Universal Music Enterprises President Bruce Resnikoff. Neighbors, including some who remembered Williams living at 17376 Wisconsin, captured the moment on their mobile devices.
The group’s tour bus arrived just before noon, with Williams’ current groupmates — Ron Tyson, Jawan Jackson, Terry Weeks, and Tony Grant — joining the celebration. The Temptations were scheduled to perform later that evening, concluding a two-night engagement at Andiamo Celebrity Showroom in Warren. The ceremony also included a Spirit of Detroit Award for Williams from the Detroit City Council, recognizing him as a “towering figure” in city culture and honoring his “transformative contributions to music and his embodiment of the Detroit spirit.”
Lt. Gov. Gilchrist, speaking on behalf of himself and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, expressed Michigan’s pride and gratitude for Williams’ musical legacy. The new street marker, he said, serves as a cross-generational symbol, reminding us of the “talent that exists on every corner of every street in every neighborhood in Detroit.”
The dedication continued with a performance of “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” by singers from the Motown Museum’s Hitsville Next program, followed by remarks from Shelly Berger. Berger, who has managed and supported Williams for 57 years, recalled Motown founder Berry Gordy’s description of The Temptations as a group greater than the sum of its parts. Williams, he said, has been the enduring backbone, a “thinking man” who has always prioritized the group’s interests.
“Through it all, quietly, there was one thing that was always constant — Otis Williams,” Berger said.
The recognition on Wisconsin Street is more than just a marker; it is a testament to the legacy of Otis Williams and The Temptations. It celebrates their contributions to music and honors a journey that began in the heart of Detroit. As the community gathered to honor Williams, the street sign stood as a symbol of inspiration and pride, a reminder of the rich musical heritage that Detroit continues to nurture and celebrate.
Ebony JJ Curry, Senior Reporter
Ebony JJ is a master journalist who has an extensive background in all areas of journalism with an emphasis on impactful stories highlighting the advancement of the Black community through politics, economic development, community, and social justice. She serves as senior reporter and can be reached via email: ecurry@michronicle.com
Keep in touch via IG: @thatssoebony_
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