Motown legends The Temptations and The Four Tops are celebrating their 40th anniversary with a joint nationwide tour.
And while you might expect to find an audience exclusively made up of fans who were teenagers in the 1970’s, the iconic groups have found a unique way to introduce their music to a whole new generation- by putting them on stage!
When the “Temps and the Tops” hit Sweetland Amphitheatre just outside Atlanta on October 11, their opening act will be made up of performers who are 18 and younger.
The amphitheatre has tapped a local group called “The Young Singers of West Georgia” to take the stage to warm up the crowd before the Motown legends perform.
The group’s Master Choir, which is made up of high school students, is busy rehearsing for the huge honor. But first, they had to be told just WHO they’d be opening for.
“I’d never heard of them until my mom started singing ‘My Girl’ to me. I love that song,” said senior in high school Sophie Kate Corley. “Now I’m excited!”
A Charity Performance Paved the Way for the Young Singers’ Shot
The Young Singers of West Georgia are getting the shot to open for the legendary Motown groups thanks to a charity event they performed at for the United Way.
Young Singers Artistic Director and Conductor Stacey Hardigree explained, “One of the event coordinators at Sweetland recognized that Young Singers would be a perfect fit for opening the Temps and Tops concert. Their energy and professionalism sparked the idea.”
Stacey admits that when she first told her students, many had never heard of either group. “Some of the students were completely beside themselves at the opportunity to perform at this event. Others who were younger or less familiar were quickly inspired and excited to be a part of this after realizing the magnitude of who these groups are.”
But whether they know who the Temptations and the Four Tops are or not, they’ve been emulating them for years. Stacey explains that many of the performance skills and dancing she teaches her students ahead of performances come directly from legendary performers from the past. “Helping students understand that much of what we do comes from the creativity and examples of these iconic performers who move in unison while singing in multiple parts is exciting,” said Hardigree.
The Temptations and The Four Tops Produced Some of the Biggest Hits of All Time
While teenagers might not know who they are, both The Temptations and The Four Tops make iMDb’s list of the “45 Greatest R&B Groups of All Time.” The Temps are third on that list and the Tops land at number 30.
With timeless hits like “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)” and “Papa was a Rollin’ Stone,” The Temptations’ songs still find their way into commercials and movies regularly.
The group’s lineup has changed over the years, but continues to be led by its founder, Otis Williams.
Rolling Stone includes the group on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
The Four Tops are known for hits including “Baby I Need Your Loving,” “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)” and “Ain’t No Woman (Like the One I’ve Got).”
Their joint tour continues through January 2026. You can find tickets here.
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