Spinner

Otis Williams Remembers Michael Jackson's Motown Years

Fans from different generations will all remember the King of Pop in their own way. For many, the Michael Jackson they remember best is the little boy who blew audiences away in the '70s as one of the lead singers of the Jackson 5. Fellow Motown legend Otis Williams of the Temptations told Spinner about the first time he met the talented youngster and his brothers.

"Michael was ... I mean, here's a little boy who could sing his little ass off," Williams recalls. "When he did one of Smokey [Robinson]'s songs, 'Who's Lovin' You?' ... at the end of it he would do this riff, and he did a riff that went off into a little minor bluesy kind of thing. I go, 'Now wait a minute, he's too young to be riffin' like that.'"

Williams also shared one of his fondest memories of the young Michael. In Chicago, the Temptations and the Jacksons had performed at Jesse Jackson's 'Operation Push' in Chicago. Later, the singers all had to pile into a U-Haul truck to escape an unruly mob of fans.

"I remember to this day, Michael said, 'Where's Otis? Where's Otis?' And somebody put the truck light on, and I said, 'I'm here, Michael. I'm right here.' And he looked up at me like a little boy and I never will forget that," Williams says. "It was so touching. He was so concerned, he wanted to know where I was. That high, squeaky voice going, 'Where's Otis? Where's Otis?' I love the Jacksons."

Michael Jackson died Thursday at the age of 50.

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Kathy Settles

It was exciting watching Michael from day one on the Ed Sullivan Show up until these recent times but it appointed unto man once to die and then the judgement. We all have to answer to God and stand before our Creator to give an account as to what we did in this life while in these bodies. Let's all determine to know Our God and receive His gift of salvation that Michael said we must bring back. Once we do that we will enjoy Eternity with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ forever!

September 21 2009 at 2:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
sexyalday40

It's truly sad. To his family,I'm so sorry for your loss. I had a major crush on him which I'm sure alot of people did. His voice was (is) something I can't put into words. He was truly unique and talented. I watched some of the Jackson 5 videos and was blown away. It's really one of those things where you wished you had a chance to know him personally. The things he went through in his life and the sacrifices he made to get to the top and the leaving us wanting more of him is a hard thing to swallow. I'll miss you Michael Jackson and I promise you'll never ever be forgotten.

July 16 2009 at 8:26 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply