Ali-Ollie Woodson, best known for singing with the iconic group The Temptations, died on May 30 th at the age of 58 after battling leukemia for nearly eighteen months.
Though born in Detroit, Michigan, Woodson grew up in Town Creek, Alabama. He started off his musical career in the early 1970’s with Bill Pinkney, who started him on the road as a musician. Later, he became a vocalist for Pinkney’s Original Drifters. He is most known for being the lead singer of The Temptations from 1984 to 1986 and from 1988 to 1996. His most famous contribution to the group was the 1984 single, “Treat Her Like a Lady,” which he co-wrote, co-produced, and sang the lead on. Although, Woodson’s career with group ended after 1996, he toured with the band in Japan in 2002.
After leaving the group, Woodson pursued a solo career. He also made appearances in movies and television shows. From 2006 to 2008, he formed the group The Temptations Revue featuring Dennis Edwards, another member of the group.
Woodson’s distinguished vocals and range allowed him to share the stage with some of the greatest voices of all time, such as Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston and James Brown.
