THEO PEOPLES

Theoplis Peoples III is a St. Louis, Missouri original.  Born on January 24,  Theo developed his prodigious musical chops as a singer in his father’s church, the First Baptist Church of Chesterfield.  Aspiring to solo success, the young singer paid his dues working the local circuit of restaurants, hotels and clubs.  His exciting performances earned him a large local following.  Fate intervened when Theo performed at the Majestic Hotel one night in 1995.  In the audience that night was Ron Tyson, first tenor for the legendary Temptations.  As Tyson witnessed the young man’s ability to electrify the audience, he knew he found the Temptations’ next unmistakable lead voice.

During his six-year run with the Temptations, Theo recorded on the two most popular Temptations’ albums of the group’s contemporary era.  On For Lovers Only, Theo’s heavy gospel-laden baritone vocals can be heard in classic Temptations’ harmony on songs like “Life Is But A Dream.”  He stepped into the lead vocalist role easily, matching Ali Woodson note for note on “Some Enchanted Evening,” and seizing the spotlight for himself with flawless performances of the classic “Night and Day” and “I’ve Grown Accustomed To Her Face.”  In the grand tradition of great Temptations lead singers, he established his trademark church-infused style immediately: rough-hewn, emotive vocals punctuated by fiery vocal runs. 

He took to the road with the Temptations, putting his stamp on Temptations’ classics like “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg,” and “I Can’t Get Next To You.”  Touring with the Temptations, he learned the group’s precise choreography, enabling him to step up his game even further as an all-around entertainer who could command the attention of any audience and leave them wanting more. 

Although taking the reins as the Temptations’ lead singer was no easy feat, taking over for Levi Stubbs, the lead singer of the Four Tops since 1954, was even more difficult.  Temptations fans grew accustomed to seeing new faces and hearing new voices, Tops fans meanwhile enjoyed a 40-year romance with the same four faces, the same four voices.  His break-in period as lead singer with the Four Tops was particularly brutal: when audiences saw it was not Levi singing lead, many walked out.  Theo and the rest of the Tops (which now included legendary singer and producer Ronnie McNeir) pressed on, convincing audiences’ one show at a time that the Four Tops could still deliver the goods, new faces and all.

Eager to show his fans the full range of his talent while avoiding the stereotype of being the guy who sings “the same old songs,” Theo released Downtime, a smooth set of contemporary soul tunes.  On the album, Theo does a little bit of everything – writing, producing and keyboards.  Standout tunes from the 2000 album include a more urbane rendition of “This Is My Promise” and the radio-friendly uptempo groove, “Get Your Groove On.”  He followed up with a second album in 2001, “Listen 2 Your Heart,” a collection of the same songs from “Downtime,” with fresh, updated remixes.  “Chemistry… You and Me,” (2004)  features alternate mixes of the same sensuous ballads and club-ready up tempo songs.

Although taking the reins as the Temptations’ lead singer was no easy feat, taking over for Levi Stubbs, the lead singer of the Four Tops since 1954, was even more difficult.  Temptations fans grew accustomed to seeing new faces and hearing new voices, Tops fans meanwhile enjoyed a 40-year romance with the same four faces, the same four voices.  His break-in period as lead singer with the In 2005, Theo found himself in the world of classic standards once again when the Four Tops recorded “Goin’ Home ‘Round Midnight,” a limited edition album of jazz standards and a few original compositions by noted Detroit bandleader Simone Vitale and Lawrence Roquel Payton, Jr., who stepped in when Obie Benson passed in July 2005.   The album features Theo showing off his improvisational skills on several tunes.  His robust baritone vocals on the album conjure an era when Billy Eckstine ruled the airwaves. 

By now a seasoned pro, Theo’s onstage presence exudes a soulful and understated confidence that belies his world class talent.  In every performance with the Four Tops, Theo attacks the group’s legendary repertoire hits with the passion and urgency that made the original recordings so timeless.  Those who have seen the current incarnation of the Four Tops (Peoples, McNeir, Fakir and Payton) rave about his definitive rendition of the Heatwave classic “Always and Forever,” in which he woos the audience with a heady mixture of sensuality and spirituality. 

In addition to appearing with the Four Tops, Theo continues to perform as a solo artist at exclusive events and is writing and recording material for forthcoming projects. 

In the decade since Theo made his national debut as a Temptation, he has earned his reputation as the voice who embodies soul music’s storied past as well as its bright future.  No one else can lay claim to leading two of pop music’s most venerable groups.  Then again, no one else has that voice.

                                                                                                                               Tanisha L. Jackson