ALI OLLIE WOODSON, RIP

Here’s a very sad story that, shamefully, I doubt many other organizations will be reporting. The incredible vocalist Ali Ollie Woodson passed away this week-end. He was sort-of the middle reliever of Temptations lead singers, but the one that made the biggest impression on me. He had one of the two best voices I’ve ever heard in my life, (Adam Lambert being the other, but even he’s not as great as Ali) and became the measuring stick against which I judged all performers. He didn’t sing with just his voice–he used every fiber of his being. He took my breath away. Literally.

I had always loved the Temptations, and when I first started my show, I got to be their opening act for a four-show gig. (Long entertaining story, but, trust me, it wasn’t pretty.) Unfortunately, Ali wasn’t with them at that time, but it gave me a basis to know them all personally. Down the line, I met one of their producers, Peter Bunetta, and we bonded over our love of the whole group, in all of their configurations, and their music. Though we admired them all, he knew that Ali was the summit of vocalists for me.

One night, Peter told me he was taking me somewhere. All I knew was that it involved music, a subject on which I trusted his taste 100%. The venue turned out to be Marla Gibbs’ jazz club, Marla’s Memory Lane Jazz and Supper Club, deep in the ’hood. (They even had guards for us.) We were greeted inside by Ron Tyson, one of the Temps at that time. I already had a feeling something special was about to happen. We were seated dead center in the front row, which was up-close and personal for this space, and out came Ali Ollie Woodson. I seriously don’t remember breathing for the next hour and a half.

What we were treated to was a super-skinny man with a visage that portrayed a complicated existence, who looked to be about sixty-years-old then, (though he had to be way younger) singing from so deep inside his body that I kept expecting him to explode at any second. Every vein in his being was popping out, from his head to his neck to his arms. I had never in my entire life experienced anything so truly amazing. (Yes–amazing–in the true sense of the word, not in the throw-away manner that every vocabulary-challenged moron uses it today.)

Ali’s searing vocals made an indelible impression on my brain. Every singer has paled in comparison since then, (except for Adam.) [Note: I hate mentioning any other singer in this, my small tribute to Ali, but I have to, for perspective.] I’ve always been pissed-off that so many people don’t even know of him because he never did anything outrageous on stage. Except sing outrageously incredibly, that is.

To my honor, Peter introduced us after that show, and I couldn’t find enough effusive words to express my sheer joy and wonderment at what I had just witnessed. No lie, he was genuinely humble and seemed like he really didn’t know just how great he was!!! I was astounded!

I didn’t see him again for awhile, until we met a couple of years later in one of the clubs I used to frequent. It was a dance club, but on Monday nights, famous musicians got together and jammed. The talent was awe-inspiring, but I rarely had time to attend. I heard Ali would be performing one night, so I practically flew over there, and trust me–he didn’t disappoint. (Except for having to share the mike with others!) I said hi, expecting to have to remind him who I was, but he knew right away and was absolutely lovely to me! He even introduced me to Rick James! I had always wanted to meet Rick, and Ali made it so easy. He made it seem to Rick that he and I were old friends, and I was floating on air from the whole experience, especially to hear him sing in person again, which was now a twice-in-a-lifetime event for me. I’m so grateful.

I saw Ali one more time, when he performed at a club I was actually promoting in. [Note: for those of you non-clubbers, “promoting” means that my partners and I were in charge of that night each week, in respect to the music played, DJs hired, and guest list.] He seemed like a grown-up, having a quiet dinner there with his family before taking the stage, but sang his heart out the same as ever. He introduced me to the whole gang, and when we left, I had every expectation of seeing him sing again, down the line.

Now it’s been over a decade, which is totally my loss. I had just looked him up last week, to make sure that he was still making appearances. The picture on his website looked great and healthy, and I happily told some people about him. As with most things in life, I felt I had time to have the privilege of hearing him wail in person again.

And now, he’s gone. I literally felt sick to my stomach when I read of his passing. My head is still spinning. With so few truly talented people out there, the loss of a supreme talent like Ali Woodson is sickening, on every level.

If you’ve never heard Ali Ollie sing, please check-out his music as soon as possible. Though not as soul-searing an experience of hearing him live, you’ll understand what I mean.

RIP, Ali. That chorus in heaven just keeps getting better, unfortunately for those of us on this level of life.