Home Uncategorized Ollie (Ali) Woodson, of the Temptations, Dies at 58

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPUsQDm-HQY

Ollie (Ali) Woodson of the Temptations died on Sunday. He was 58 and had been suffering from leukemia.

Woodson was not an original member of the group. They were David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams. Melvin Franklin and Otis Williams. Only Williams survives from that era beginning in 1960.

Ollie joined in 1984, and sang lead on the Temps’ last real hit, “Treat Her Like a Lady,” in 1985. He took breaks, but lasted until 1997. He was a class act, and a great performer and soul singer.

Rest in peace, Ollie. Say hello to the boys for us.

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Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.
13 replies to this post
  1. Legends never die, Ollie sits right besides Marvin Gaye, David Ruffin ,Barry White, Ottis reading, and a another singing genius from our city, liverpool uk, Colin arretty, god bless you all for the memories

  2. Ali will forever be remembered as one of the greatest to lift his voice. His hit tune…”Treat her like a lady” is my sister and my national anthem. Every time it plays we head to the dance floor……..

    RIP Ali & GOD BLESS!

  3. I remember when I went to see Ollie at the Fox theater singing with the Temptations and he took my hand and was telling my man to treat her like a lady…….I literally cried. He will be missed so much ,but he can sing for the Father now. R.I.P. Ollie…….

  4. I remember with regards to sixth grade choir in addition to we did some sort of disney medley of songs and it also was the most fun I’d in choir. Arabian Times, Become Our Guest, Make out the Girl, Beneath the Sea is the ones that visit memory from the item. They have to bring some belonging to the movies out of their damn Disney vault.

  5. David Ruffin was not one of the original Temptations. The original members were Eldridge Bryant, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin, and the one original member still living–Otis Williams.

  6. ali was here in memphis proforming in a stage production of some play, sorry i can, remember which one, but it wsa very good. he called me to come and pick him up after the show was over. we came to my home,Ali seat down at my keyboard and wrote too songs off the top of his head about the split up between my wife and I. I just happened to have had my camcorder on and got it all. Thanks Ali, i love you and miss you.

  7. Ali Ollie Woodson was one of the greatest singers to sing! He reminded me so much of David Ruffin, he had an such an amazing voice. I praised the Lord when I saw that he had begun to sing songs that reflected his love of JESUS and the miracles that were performed for him! He has truly been a blessing when he gloried GOD! Thank you for the many songs, the many years of joy that you have given to the world. I will always remember when you were in Minneapolis, MN and “Treat Her Like A Lady” was out and he called me on stage to sing the song. I was in a daze for the rest of the show. My prayers go out to your family and many friends. God picked another flower for his anointed garden, now he will be singing using his heavenly voice. Ollie, you will be greatly missed.
    Thank you again for the memories.

  8. Theo Peoples was and is the lead singer on “Stay.” By the time the video was done, he was no longer with the group.

    RIP my friend, you are now with the heavenly Motown Choir!
    My thoughts and prayers go out to the Woodson family, friends and all his many fans.

  9. His voice! He hit the notes that make you pay attention to what he is singing about. He will be missed deeply. Gonna pull out all of his CDs and play them all.

  10. Ollie Woodson sang Happy Birthday to me ten years ago at The Savoy Night Club in Inglewood, CA. He had a gorgeous voice. Rest in peace.

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