Ali-Ollie Woodson | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Ollie Creggett |
| Born | September 12, 1951 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Origin | Town Creek, Alabama, U.S. |
| Died | May 30, 2010 (aged 58) Los Angeles, California |
| Genres | R&B, pop, soul |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, keyboardist |
| Instruments | Vocals, keyboard, piano |
| Years active | 1970–2010 |
| Labels | Motown |
| Associated acts | Bill Pinkney's Original Drifters, The Temptations, The Temptations Review Featuring Dennis Edwards |
Ali-Ollie Woodson (born Ollie Creggett; September 12, 1951 – May 30, 2010) was an American R&B singer, musician, songwriter, keyboardist, drummer, and occasional actor best known for his twelve years with The Temptations alongside Otis Williams. He also worked with Aretha Franklin, Jean Carn, and Bill Pinkney.
Early life and career
Woodson was born September 12, 1951[1] in Detroit, Michigan, and was raised in Town Creek, Alabama.
Woodson was best known as the lead singer of Motown act the Temptations from 1984 to 1986, and from 1988 to 1996. He had first recorded with the Temptations in 1983 on their Back to Basics album, when he was invited to perform lead vocals on the album track, "Stop the World Right Here (I Wanna Get Off)",[2] filling in for Dennis Edwards.
Illness and death
According to his testimony at a televised religious service, Woodson was first diagnosed with throat cancer during one of his tenures with The Temptations. Woodson would again need to undergo surgery when the cancer returned two years later and another two years following that surgery.[3] In late 2008, Woodson was diagnosed with leukemia and hospitalized for several weeks. He died in Los Angeles, California[4] on May 30, 2010, after battling leukemia for nearly eighteen months.[5]
Woodson is survived by his wife, Juanita[1] his two children with Juanita, Ali Ollie Jr. "Aj" and Aliah Woodson;[3] along with his other children from previous relationships: Jhae,[6] Sophie, LaTeasha, Justin, and Keisha.[7]
References
- ^ a b "Temptations Star Woodson Dies From Cancer". contactmusic.com. May 30, 2010. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
- ^ The Temptations- Back to Basics @Allmusic.com. Retrieved August 28, 2010.
- ^ a b Temptations Ali Woodson on YouTube Retrieved May 31, 2010.
- ^ "Ali Ollie Woodson, Singer in Temptations, Dies at 58". The New York Times. June 1, 2010. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
- ^ Hicks, Mark (May 31, 2010). "Former lead Temptations singer Ali Woodson dies". The Detroit News.
- ^ Ollie Woodson Farewell @YouTube.com Retrieved March 12, 2011.
- ^ Waldron, Clarence. "Ali-Ollie Woodson Sr.: Ex-Temptations star." Jet Magazine, p. 18. 6-28-2010. Retrieved October 12, 2011.