Dinner with Ronnie McNeir of The Four Tops & The Four Tops Performing at Soul Town Festival 31st August 2024

Review by Esther Austin

Esther Austin Global had the honor of organizing a fantastic evening for Ronnie McNeir, who was in London to perform at the Soul Town Festival 2024 on Saturday, August 31st. Despite the arrangements being made on short notice, as expected, the hard work paid off with the opportunity to take Ronnie out for dinner at the charming CoCos restaurant in Crystal Palace, South East London.

After picking up Ronnie from his Hotel, myself and good friend and sponsor Reg West, took an Uber to our destination. Ronnie was already proving to be excellent company, sharing jokes and stories that kept us entertained. The driver even joined in on our banter, which created a sense of camaraderie amongst us.

We arrived in Crystal Palace, full of laughter, and eager to sit down to eat and listen to more of Ronnie's stories,. Before we got to CoCos, Reg, known for his networking skills and ability to bring people together, introduced us to Mike, the owner of Escape Bar and Caribbean Tapas, suggesting the possibility of extending our evening there after our trip to Cocos if we wanted to end the night at a different venue. Upon our arrival at Cocos, we were greeted at the entrance, had our names checked off the guest list, and were then escorted to our table, where we remained in high spirits and eager to further savor the evening. The welcoming reception at the door established a pleasant and hospitable atmosphere for the rest of the night.

The waitress brought our menus, and Ronnie examined them slowly, appearing a bit confused. I offered a suggestion, to which he nodded, still looking restless. He then inquired about chicken wings at Nandos, prompting me to give him a sideways glance. Ronnie mentioned he would have loved to have gone to Nandos. I gazed at him intently, my left eyebrow lifting in bewilderment, reminiscent of my father's reaction to nonsensical statements. Jokingly, I suggested to Reg that we should have taken Ronnie to Nandos in Catford rather than to dine at such an elegant restaurant with a superb menu, a variety of drinks, and pleasant ambience, as I was struggling to understand Ronnie's preference at that moment. The Nandos - Cocos comparison felt like Woolworths compared to Harrods. Despite this, we all shared a good-natured laugh. I was about to admit my confusion when Ronnie explained that in America, Nandos was rare, so when The Four Tops and their band visited the UK, they enjoyed dining at Nandos for their famous wings and chips, considering them the pinnacle of British cuisine. However, he did find chicken wings on the menu, and was instantly won over, alongwith other great food choices from the menu!

Throughout the evening, Ronnie's presence started to become familiar to many of those dining. Furtive glances and whispers ensued as people tentatively approached our table. Many were emotional as they recalled their youth listening to The Four Tops, a band that had been a significant part of their lives. The band's music resonated with their feelings, and meeting someone they had admired since childhood was overwhelming yet a tribute to artists like Ronnie.

Ronnie warmly interacted with them, offering hugs, handshakes, and allowing for photos to be taken. Amidst tears, they shared how much The Four Tops had influenced their lives. It was a touching and emotional experience.

As the evening progressed we were joined by my brother from another mother, Anthony Lyken and hs partner, as we ate good food, engaged further in great conversation, many were memories from Ronnie about his life and the legends he had worked with. Ronnie was engaging, and funnier than ever, and very down-to-earth. He had a restlessness about him and could be out-spoken but he was an optimistic spirited individual not afraid to speak his truth, in between anecdotes and alot of crazy humour. As the evening progressed more and more people came to our table to grab a picture and share words of nostalgia with Ronnie. Reg, Anthony and myself all had the most vibrant time, laughing, reasoning, listening to the stories from a great man, who was part of one of the greatest bands ever, The Four Tops.

CoCos is a stunning restaurant. Great Food, Great hospitality, Beautiful Ambience. Thank you to Kirk Ellis, Chef and Owner and to all the staff

Thank you to our Sponsor on the night Reg West

Thank you to Kirk Ellis Chef/Owner and his Team for inviting us to CoCos Restaurant, 90 Westow Hill, SE19

SOUL TOWN FESTIVAL - SATURDAY 31ST AUGUST

Having the opportunity to be backstage was truly a privilege. Witnessing seasoned legends interacting with each other, engaging in conversations, and preparing for their performance was a remarkable experience. Observing their transition from getting ready to stepping onto the stage was invaluable. Despite having been backstage numerous times, each visit fills me with a sense of nostalgia.

Time to Hit the Stage

The Four Tops delivered a seamless blend of classic and contemporary tunes. Dressed in white, they moved in perfect harmony, showcasing their talents as not just singers and artists, but as all-round performers and entertainers. They represented a bygone era that will forever remain in the collective memory of a nation. Following the passing of the last original member, Abdul 'Duke' Fakir, on July 22, 2024, the group, now comprised of Alexander Morris on lead vocals, Ronnie McNeir on second tenor vocals, Lawrence Payton Jr. on bass-baritone vocals, and Michael Brock on first tenor vocals, will carry on their timeless legacy.

Clip from 'My Girl'

ON THE SOFA WITH ESTHER PODCAST - TRIUTE TO THE LATE ABDUL 'DUKE' FAKIR

Esther Austin Global pays tribute to the late Abdul 'Duke' Fakir, the last remaining original member of The Four Tops who died on 22nd July 2024 in an interview with The Four Tops on her show 'On the Sofa with Esther'. Also joined by Thelma Mitchell, younger sister of the late Levi Stubbs and Sheila Stubbs-Taylor. https://www.facebook.com/EstherAustin1965/videos/1441614103187950

Thank you to Les Spaine Sr of Spaine Music

Photo Credit: Esther Austin Global

Video Footage Credits: Esther Austin Global Thank you to DL Hospitality-Entertainment Management Service Keira and Jessica - Fantastic Hospitality

Thank you to Craig Brown

Thank you to Reg West