The musical magic of classic Motown was in full effect Thursday night as the Temptations and the Four Tops played a high-energy double-bill at Blaisdell Arena.

The Tops opened the show, the Tempts closed it, and that worked out well all the way around. The Four Tops wore loose-fitting tropical white suits, did some dancing while they sang, and performed for an hour. The Temptations came out in sharp, black tuxedo suits and thrilled the crowd with the tightly synchronized choreography that has been part of their shows for more than 45 years. Much of the 70-minute set was almost like watching the "Classic Five" of the mid-’60s, with the original gestures and intricate footwork intact.

The Tops were a great show in their own right. Abdul "Duke" Fakir, the only living member of the original quartet, led the group through a set that included almost all their best-known work. Roquel Payton, Theo Peoples and Ronnie McNeir all proved worthy conservators of the Four Tops’ legacy as they joined Fakir in doing justice to each golden hit.

The Tops’ one major detour from their Motown and post-Motown hits was a tribute to founding members Levi Stubbs, Renaldo "Obie" Benson and Lawrence Payton. Fakir described them as "three of the greatest friends anyone could ever have," and the Tops sang "Ask the Lonely" as a requiem in their honor. Fakir closed the tribute with a solo reworking of "My Way," singing, "It took God’s grace to do it our way."

There were lighter moments as well. Fakir revealed that the decision to do a remake of Left Banke’s "Walk Away Renee" began as a bet between two Motown executives. He didn’t name names, but his impression of the one who bet the Tops would be able to have a hit with the tune was a good imitation of Smokey Robinson.

The Temptations opened on an odd note — "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" was a hit for Marvin Gaye and then for Junior Walker & The All Stars, not the Tempts — but from there on, Otis Williams and his group owned the show and the crowd. The set list hopped, skipped and jumped around through the quintet’s big decade as hit makers and also included less familiar songs of more recent vintage. Bruce Williamson, new to the group since their sold-out three-nighter with the Honolulu Symphony in 2007, was an instant audience favorite. The man is plus-size, but he’s got the smooth moves, a powerful voice and eye-catching stage presence. Tempts veterans Terry Weeks, Joe Herndon and Ron Tyson also had stellar moments alongside Williams.

The group’s picks from all of the classics they could have done were all good choices. However, if they hadn’t burned up five minutes introducing their band, and several minutes more on an audience participation bit, they could have included several more songs.

The fans didn’t seem to miss the omissions. They clapped, screamed and waved their cell phones on command. "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)" and "My Girl" became full-on choral sing-alongs.

It was a great night for memories and the timeless magic of Motown. Nights like this don’t happen here often enough.