Ain't nothing like the real thing for fans

The Temptations. Photo / Supplied by Sandra Roberts

Motown is coming to the Mission Estate vineyard with a 50th anniversary show featuring some of the voices which first took black pop to the world in the 1960s. Scott Kara traces the history of the veteran acts headed this way in February

THE TEMPTATIONS

Formed: Detroit, 1960.
Original lineup: Otis Williams, Elbridge "Al" Bryant, Melvin Franklin, Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams.
Classic lineup: Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams, Otis Williams, Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin.
Current lineup: Only original member left is group co-founder Otis Williams, with Ron Tyson, Terry Weeks, Joe Herndon, Bruce Williamson.
First hit: My Girl (1964).
Best known songs: Way You Do The Things You Do (1965), Get Ready (1966), Runaway Child (1969) and Papa Was a Rolling Stone (1972).

THE FOUR TOPS

Formed: Detroit, 1954
Original lineup: Levi Stubbs, Abdul "Duke" Fakir, Renaldo "Obie" Benson and Lawrence Payton stayed together for more than 40 years until Payton's death in 1997. He was replaced by Theo Peoples, who took over as lead singer when Stubbs had a stroke in 2000.
Current lineup: Abdul "Duke" Fakir, Theo Peoples, Roquel Payton (Lawrence's son), and Ronnie McNeir.
First hit: I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) (1965).
Best known songs: Reach Out I'll Be There (1967); Standing In the Shadows of Love (1967).

THE MIRACLES

Formed: Detroit, 1955.
Original lineup: Founded by Smokey Robinson - the writer of many of the band's biggest hits - with Ronnie White, Bobby Rogers, Pete Moore and Claudette Rogers.
Current lineup: Robinson left to take up a solo career in 1972, but Bobby Rogers keeps the Miracles rolling with Dave Finley, Tee Turner and Mark Scott.
First hit: Shop Around (1960).
Best known songs: As Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Tears of a Clown (1970); and as the Miracles, Tracks Of My Tears (1965) and Love Machine (1975).

MARY WILSON (THE SUPREMES)

Formed: Detroit, 1961.
Original lineup: In 1959 Mary Wilson, Diana Ross, Florence Ballard, and Betty McGlown formed The Primettes. Barbara Martin replaced McGlown in 1960 and they signed to Motown in 1961 as the Supremes. Became Diana Ross and the Supremes in 1967 by order of Motown head Berry Gordy.
Disbanded: Following Ross' departure in 1970 the lineup changed many times and the group finally dissolved in 1977.
Current lineup: Mary Wilson, the only constant member of the Supremes in the group's 18 years together, has continued to perform and releases a new solo album later this year.
First hit: Where Did Our Love Go (1964).
Best known songs: Baby Love (1964), Stop! In the Name of Love (1965), You Keep Me Hangin' On (1966), The Way You Do The Things You Do (1969).


MARTHA AND THE VANDELLAS

Formed: Detroit, 1962.
Original lineup: Martha Reeves, Rosalind Ashford and Annette Beard.
Current lineup: Martha Reeves and her sisters Lois and Delphine.
First hit: Come and Get These Memories (1963).
Best known songs: (Love Is Like a) Heatwave (1963); signature tune, Dancing in the Street (1964); and Jimmy Mack (1967).

LOWDOWN

What: The Motown Event
Who: The Temptations, the Four Tops, the Miracles, Martha and the Vandellas, and Mary Wilson of the Supremes along with Joan Osborne, Jimmy Barnes, Ian Moss.
Where: Mission Estate, Hawkes Bay
When: Saturday, February 13
Tickets and info: www.missionconcert.co.nz