As he brainstormed ideas for an album that would celebrate 60 years of The Temptations, Otis Williams had an epiphany.
The Temptations team up with Smokey Robinson: Sneak peek at upcoming behind-the-scenes video
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If we’re making a record for the Tempts’ diamond anniversary, Williams thought to himself, Smokey Robinson has to be part of it.
It was Robinson, after all, who had ignited the group’s Motown career in 1964 with “The Way You Do the Things You Do” — the first in a host of Temptations hits he wrote and produced, including “My Girl,” “Get Ready” and “Since I Lost My Baby.”
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Williams’ out-of-the-blue phone call to his old friend resulted in their latest project together: The new single “Is It Gonna Be Yes or No,” a piece of warm, vintage Smokey songcraft, landed overnight Friday.
It’s a taste of the forthcoming Temptations album, due in 2022.
“Is It Gonna Be Yes or No” wasn’t merely written and produced by Robinson. It also features him as a vocal guest alongside Williams — the lone surviving member from the group’s “classic five” days — and current Tempts Ron Tyson, Terry Weeks, Willie Greene and Mario Corbino.
More: Smokey Robinson recalls the moment he knew ‘My Girl’ was a hit, talks new Audible memoir
It’s the first time Robinson and the Temptations have sung together on a Tempts release, and just the second time they’ve done it at all. (Robinson and the group performed “The Christmas Song” for a 1989 Motown holiday compilation.)
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When Williams reached out to Smokey, he says he told him: “You’re a big reason why we jumped out with ‘The Way You Do the Things You Do.’ Smokey, it’s only right that you should be on this. Not only singing with us — we’d love for you to write it and produce it.”
He says Robinson was immediately receptive, responding to Williams with his longtime nickname for the Tempts’ baritone: “Oak, no problem. Just let me know when and where.”
“I proceeded to write a new song for them,” Robinson said in a statement. “And I was very happy to, because it’s been a long time.”
Musicians enlisted by Robinson for the session include Dave Garfield (keyboards), Freddie Washington (bass) and Steve Ferrone (drums).
“We just wanted to have a great contribution to our fans all over the world that have supported the Tempts and allowing us to be around for 60 years,” Williams said. “I think it’s a great capstone of what we’ve created.”
“Is It Gonna Be Yes or No” is part of a year-long Temptations 60th anniversary campaign that kicked off this summer.
Meanwhile, the Tony-winning Temptations musical, “Ain’t Too Proud,” is scheduled to resume on Broadway in October. The show’s touring company is set to return to the road in December, including a hometown Detroit run at the Fisher Theatre next August.
James Corden performs during the opening number of the 73rd Annual Tony Awards ceremony on June 9, 2019, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
James Corden performs the opening number.
Tina Fey and Jake Gyllenhaal present the award for featured actress in a play.
Celia Keenan-Bolger accepts the award for featured actress for her performance in the play “To Kill a Mockingbird.”
Cast members of the musical “Ain’t Too Proud” perform.
Samira Wiley and Abigail Breslin present the award for featured actor in a play.
Bertie Carvel accepts the award for featured actor in a play for his role in “Ink.”
Samuel L. Jackson and LaTanya Richardson Jackson present the award for leading actress in a play.
Elaine May accepts the award for leading actress in a play for her work in “The Waverly Gallery.”
Judith Light accepts the Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award, given to someone who volunteered substantial “time and effort on behalf of one or more humanitarian, social service or charitable organizations.”
Sienna Miller and Darren Criss present the award for featured actor in a musical.
Featured actor winner Andre De Shields accepts the award for his role in “Hadestown.”
Aasif Mandvi and Shirley Jones introduce a performance from the musical “Oklahoma!”
The cast of “Oklahoma!” performs.
Christopher Jacksonand Danai Gurira present the award for best direction of a musical.
“Hadestown” director Rachel Chavkin accepts the award.
Catherine O’Hara introduces a performance by the cast of the musical “Beetlejuice.”
Alex Brightman and the cast of “Beetlejuice”
Lucy Liu speaks about the American Theatre Wing.
Laura Benanti and Anthony Ramos present the award for featured actress in a musical.
Ali Stroker accepts the featured actress award for her role in the musical “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!”
Kristin Chenoweth introduces a performance from the musical “The Prom.”
Cast members from “The Prom” perform.
Marisa Tomei and Michael Shannon present the award for best revival of a play.
The award went to “The Boys in the Band,” with Mart Crowley accepting the award alongside Ryan Murphy, third from right, and cast members.
Tarell Alvin McCraney shares a “playwright moment” related to “Choir Boy.”
BeBe Winans introduces a performance from “Choir Boy” …
… and cast members take the stage.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Rachel Brosnahan present the award for best direction of a play. Sam Mendes, director of “The Ferryman,” was not present so Brosnahan claimed the trophy.
Andre De Shields and cast members of “Hadestown” perform.
Reeve Carney, center, and cast members of “Hadestown,” an inventive retelling of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice that transplants the action to post-apocalyptic New Orleans.
James Corden kept his hosting low-key.
Billy Porter speaks during the 73rd Annual Tony Awards. His ensemble was created from a curtain used in the production of “Kinky Boots,” for which Porter won a best-actor Tony in 2013.
Vanessa Carlton and David Byrne present the award for best score.
Anais Mitchell accepts the best-score Tony for “Hadestown”
Kelli O’Hara introduces a performance by the cast of “Kiss Me, Kate.”
The cast of “Kiss Me, Kate”leapt into action.
Heidi Schreck shares a moment related to her play, “What The Constitution Means To Me”
Andrew Rannells and Sutton Foster present the award for best revival of a musical.
Producer Eva Price accepts the award for best revival of a musical for “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!”
You’re not seeing triple: That’s cast members from “The Cher Show.”
Laura Linney and Regina King present the award for leading actor in a play.
The award goes to Bryan Cranston for his role in “Network.”
Author Jez Butterworth accepts the award for best play for “The Ferryman”
Brian Stokes Mitchell introduces the “In Memoriam” …
… and Cynthia Erivo sings during the segment.
Ben Platt presents the award for leading actor in a musical.
Santino Fontana accepts for his work in “Tootsie.”
Audra McDonald presents the award for leading actress in a musical.
Stephanie J. Block accepts the Tony for leading actress in a musical for her role in “The Cher Show.”
Sara Bareilles and Josh Groban present the award for best musical.
And for the last award of the night, it’s “Hadestown” again, with producer Mara Isaacs accepting the best-musical Tony.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: The Temptations team with Smokey Robinson for the first time in decades with new single
