| The Temptations | |
|---|---|
 The Temptations in 2007. From left to right, Joe Herndon, Ron Tyson, Terry Weeks, Otis Williams, Bruce Williamson | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Otis Williams and the Siberians, The Primes, The Distants, Otis Williams & the Distants, The Elgins, The Pirates |
| Origin | Detroit, Michigan, United States |
| Genre(s) | R&B, soul |
| Years active | 1960 – present |
| Label(s) | Warwick, Gordy, Motown, Atlantic, New Door/Universal |
| Associated acts | The Supremes |
| Website | www.otiswilliams.net |
| Members | |
| Otis Williams Terry Weeks Joe Herndon Ron Tyson Bruce Williamson | |
| Former members | |
| Elbridge "Al" Bryant Melvin Franklin Eddie Kendricks Paul Williams David Ruffin Dennis Edwards Ricky Owens Damon Harris Glenn Leonard Louis Price Ali-Ollie Woodson Theo Peoples Ray Davis Harry McGilberry Barrington "Bo" Henderson Richard Street G.C. Cameron | |
The Temptations (abbreviated as "The Temps" or "The Tempts") are a Grammy-winning vocal group that achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. Joe Herndon (born January 5, 1949) is an American R&B and Soul singer former bass singer of a version of doo-wop group The Spaniels Ron Tyson (born February 8 1948) is an American Tenor / Falsetto Singer and Songwriter. Terry Wayne Weeks (born December 23, 1963) is an American R&B and Soul singer who is currently one of the lead singers of the legendary Otis Williams (born October 30, 1941) is an American second Tenor / Baritone. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other Soul music is a Music genre that combines Rhythm and blues and Gospel music, originating in the United States. In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music "Motown" redirects here For the city see Detroit Michigan. Atlantic Records ( Atlantic Recording Corporation) is an American Record label best known for its many recordings of Rhythm & blues, Rock The Supremes were an American female singing group that first formed as a quartet called The Primettes Otis Williams (born October 30, 1941) is an American second Tenor / Baritone. Terry Wayne Weeks (born December 23, 1963) is an American R&B and Soul singer who is currently one of the lead singers of the legendary Joe Herndon (born January 5, 1949) is an American R&B and Soul singer former bass singer of a version of doo-wop group The Spaniels Ron Tyson (born February 8 1948) is an American Tenor / Falsetto Singer and Songwriter. Elbridge "Al" Bryant ( September 28 1939 - October 26 1975) was an African American Melvin Franklin (born David Melvin English October 12 1942 &ndash February 23 1995) was an American bass Singer Eddie Kendricks (born Edward James Kendrick, December 17, 1939 – October 5, 1992) was an American Singer and Paul Williams ( July 2, 1939 – August 17, 1973) was an American second Tenor / Baritone Singer David Ruffin (Davis Eli Ruffin ( January 18, 1941 &ndash June 1, 1991) was an American soul singer most famous for his work Dennis Edwards (born February 3, 1943) is an American soul and R&B singer most noted for being one of Motown act Ricky Owens (born Richard Edgar Owens in St Louis Missouri) ( April 24, 1939 - December 6, 1996) was an American Damon Harris (born Otis Robert Harris Jr on July 17 1950 in Baltimore Maryland) is an African-American soul and Glenn Carl Leonard (born June 11, 1947 in Washington DC) is an American R&B and Soul Louis Bernhardt Price (born March 29, 1953) is an American R&B, Soul singer and Actor notable for being the lead singer Ali-Ollie Woodson (born Ollie Creggett on September 12, 1951 in Detroit Michigan) is an American R&B Singer Theo Peoples is an African-American R&B / soul singer The son of a Preacher, he was discovered by Ron Tyson and tapped to replace Raymond "Ray" Davis (born March 29, 1940, in Sumter South Carolina - died July 5, 2005, New Brunswick New Jersey Harry McGilberry (born Harry McGilberry Jr in Philadelphia Pennsylvania) ( January 19, 1950 - April 3, 2006) was an Barrington Scott "Bo" Henderson (born June 10, 1956 in Washington Pennsylvania) is an African-American R&B singer Richard Street (born Richard Allen Street October 5 1942 in Detroit Michigan) is an American soul and R&B Singer George Curtis "GC" Cameron (born September 21 1945 In Jackson Mississippi) is an American soul and R&B singer The Grammy Awards (originally called the Gramophone Awards)—or Grammys —are presented annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences "Motown" redirects here For the city see Detroit Michigan. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music. Doo-wop is a style of vocal-based Rhythm and blues music which developed in African-American communities in the 1940s and which achieved mainstream popularity both in the 1950s Funk is an American musical style that originated in the mid- to late-1960s when African American musicians blended Soul music, Soul Disco is a Genre of dance-oriented music whose origins are hard to define Soul music is a Music genre that combines Rhythm and blues and Gospel music, originating in the United States. Adult contemporary music, frequently abbreviated AC, refers to styles of popular music that ranges from "lush Sixties pop often vocal -based and rooted in
Formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1960 as The Elgins, the Temptations have always featured at least four African American male vocalists/dancers. African Americans or Black Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have origins in any of the black populations of Africa The group, known for its recognizable choreography, distinct harmonies, and onstage suits, has been said to be as influential to soul as the Beatles are to rock. The Beatles were a pop and rock band from Liverpool, England formed in 1960 Rock music is a genre of Popular music often though not necessarily employing Electric guitar, Bass guitar, and Drums. [1] Having sold an estimated 22 million albums by 1982,[2] The Temptations are one of the most successful groups in music history[3] and were the definitive male vocal group of the 1960s. [4] In addition, they have the second-longest tenure on Motown (behind Stevie Wonder), as they were with the label for a total of 40 years: 16 years from 1961 to 1977, and 24 more from 1980 to 2004 (from 1977 to 1980, they were signed to Atlantic Records). Stevie Wonder (born Stevland Hardaway Judkins on May 13 1950 name later changed to Stevland Hardaway Morris) is an Atlantic Records ( Atlantic Recording Corporation) is an American Record label best known for its many recordings of Rhythm & blues, Rock As of 2007, the Temptations continue to perform and record for Universal Records with only one original member, founder Otis Williams, in its lineup. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Otis Williams (born October 30, 1941) is an American second Tenor / Baritone.
The original group included members of two local Detroit vocal groups: The Distants, which featured second tenor/baritone Otis Williams, first tenor Elbridge "Al" Bryant and bass Melvin Franklin; and first tenor/falsetto Eddie Kendricks and second tenor/baritone Paul Williams (no relation to Otis) from The Primes. The tenor is the highest male voice within the Modal register, just above the Baritone voice This article is related to a series of articles under the main article Voice type. Otis Williams (born October 30, 1941) is an American second Tenor / Baritone. Elbridge "Al" Bryant ( September 28 1939 - October 26 1975) was an African American Melvin Franklin (born David Melvin English October 12 1942 &ndash February 23 1995) was an American bass Singer The term falsetto (Italian diminutive of falso, false refers to the Vocal register occupying the frequency range just above the Modal voice register and Eddie Kendricks (born Edward James Kendrick, December 17, 1939 – October 5, 1992) was an American Singer and Paul Williams ( July 2, 1939 – August 17, 1973) was an American second Tenor / Baritone Singer Among the most notable future Temptations were lead singers David Ruffin and Dennis Edwards (both of whom became successful Motown solo artists after leaving the group), Richard Street (another former Distant), Damon Harris, Ron Tyson, Ali-Ollie Woodson, Theo Peoples, and G.C. Cameron. David Ruffin (Davis Eli Ruffin ( January 18, 1941 &ndash June 1, 1991) was an American soul singer most famous for his work Dennis Edwards (born February 3, 1943) is an American soul and R&B singer most noted for being one of Motown act Richard Street (born Richard Allen Street October 5 1942 in Detroit Michigan) is an American soul and R&B Singer Damon Harris (born Otis Robert Harris Jr on July 17 1950 in Baltimore Maryland) is an African-American soul and Ron Tyson (born February 8 1948) is an American Tenor / Falsetto Singer and Songwriter. Ali-Ollie Woodson (born Ollie Creggett on September 12, 1951 in Detroit Michigan) is an American R&B Singer Theo Peoples is an African-American R&B / soul singer The son of a Preacher, he was discovered by Ron Tyson and tapped to replace George Curtis "GC" Cameron (born September 21 1945 In Jackson Mississippi) is an American soul and R&B singer Like its sister female group, the Supremes, the Temptations' lineup has changed frequently over the years. The Supremes were an American female singing group that first formed as a quartet called The Primettes
Over the course of their career, the Temptations have released four Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles and 14 Billboard R&B number-one singles. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States. Their material has earned them three Grammy Awards, while two more awards were conferred upon the songwriters and producers who crafted their 1972 hit "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone". The Grammy Awards (originally called the Gramophone Awards)—or Grammys —are presented annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences A songwriter is someone who writes the Lyrics to songs the Musical composition (chords or Melody to songs or both In the Music industry, a record producer or music producer has many roles among them controlling the recording sessions coaching and guiding the musicians organizing " Papa Was a Rollin' Stone " is a soul song written by Motown Songwriters Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong as a single
History
The Primes
Childhood friends Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, Kel Osbourne, and Wiley Waller formed a doo-wop group called the Cavaliers in their hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, in 1955. Birmingham (ˈbɝmɪŋhæm is the largest City in the US state of Alabama and is the County seat of Jefferson County. [5] Reduced to a trio after Waller left the group in 1957, Kendricks, Williams, and Osbourne left Birmingham in order to break into the music business. After first moving to Cleveland, Ohio, they settled in Detroit. Cleveland is a City in the US state of Ohio and the County seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state The Primes, as the doo-wop trio was now called, were well-known around Detroit for their meticulous performances. [6] Group manager Milton Jenkins even created a sister group for the Primes called the Primettes, recruiting Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson, Diane (later Diana) Ross, and Betty McGlown for the spin-off act. Florence Glenda Ballard Chapman, nicknamed "Flo" or "Blondie" ( June 30 1943 – February 22 1976 Mary Wilson (born March 6, 1944) is an American Singer best known as a member of the Motown soul and pop Diana Ross (born March 261944 is an American twelve-time Grammy and Oscar -nominated singer Record producer and actress whose musical repertoire Betty McGlown-Travis (born 1943 in Detroit Michigan) is an African American Singer, one of the founding members of The Primettes later known as The Eddie Kendricks was already becoming a local "Matinee Idol", and Paul Williams was known for his powerful baritone voice, having an adult style even as a teenager. [5]
The Distants
Otis Williams had moved from his native Texarkana, Texas to Detroit as a young boy, to live with his mother. Texarkana is a city in Bowie County, Texas, United States. It effectively functions as one half of a city which crosses a state line — the other [7] By 1958, he was the leader of Otis Williams & the Siberians, a doo-wop group that included Williams, his friend Elbridge "Al" Bryant, James "Pee-Wee" Crawford, Vernard Plain, and Arthur Walton. [8] This quintet recorded the single "Pecos Kid" backed with "All of My Life" for a label run by local radio deejay Senator Bristol Bryant. [8] The single never took off outside the local Detroit market, and the Siberians changed their name to The El Domingoes shortly afterward. [5]
At this time, more changes took place. Montgomery, Alabama native Melvin Franklin replaced Arthur Walton as the bass singer and Franklin's cousin, Detroit-born Richard Street, replaced Vernard Plain as lead singer. Montgomery (məntˈgəmɜriː is the Capital, second most populous city and the 4th most populous metropolitan area in the Southern U Melvin Franklin (born David Melvin English October 12 1942 &ndash February 23 1995) was an American bass Singer Richard Street (born Richard Allen Street October 5 1942 in Detroit Michigan) is an American soul and R&B Singer [9] The group soon signed with Northern Records, run by Johnnie Mae Matthews, who renamed the group The Distants. The Distants recorded two singles for Northern, "Come On" (1959, featuring additional background vocals by the Andantes), and "Alright" (1960). The Andantes were a prolific female session singing group for the Motown record label during the 1960s [9] Between these two releases, Albert "Mooch" Harrell replaced Pee-Wee Crawford. [9] "Come On" was a local hit for the Distants, and the Warwick label picked the record up for national distribution. [9] After the release of "Alright", Matthews appointed Williams the group leader, and the group was renamed Otis Williams & the Distants. Though Otis Williams had a pleasant, but unremarkable, lead voice, he organized the group and so became the defacto leader, as he would later with the Temptations. [10]
Influences and colleagues
The Primes and the Distants were but two of dozens of local male vocal acts, the most famous of which was the Miracles, led by Smokey Robinson. The Miracles (known from 1965 to 1972 as Smokey Robinson & the Miracles) is an American Rhythm and blues group from Detroit Michigan, notable William "Smokey" Robinson Jr (born February 19 1940 is an American R&B and soul Singer-songwriter, Record producer, The Miracles were known for their stage show, and their pop success was something for which both groups strived. [11] Other important inspirations included the Cadillacs, Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers, the Drifters, and the Isley Brothers. The Cadillacs were an American Rock and roll and Doo-wop group from Harlem New York; active from 1953 to 1962 The Teenagers are an American Doo wop group most noted for being one of rock music's earliest successes presented to international audiences by DJ Alan Freed The Drifters were a long-lived American Doo wop / R&B vocal group with a peak in popularity from 1953 to 1962 though several splinter Drifters continue to perform today The Isley Brothers (ˈaɪzliː are a Grammy-winning American R&B / soul group [12]
The various members of the Primes and the Distants who would later become part of the Temptations met a number of their later Motown bandmates, labelmates, and producers during the early part of their careers. Melvin Franklin had been a member of the recording group the Voice Masters, which also included among its ranks Lamont Dozier and David Ruffin (his cousin), and another cousin was none other than Jackie Wilson. Lamont Dozier (born June 16, 1941) is an American Songwriter and Record producer. [9] The musicians at the recording session for the Distants' "Come On" included James Jamerson on bass; the Andantes on background vocals; and Norman Whitfield on tambourine. James Lee Jamerson ( January 29, 1936 - August 2, 1983) was an American bassist The electric bass guitar (also called electric bass, or simply bass; ˈbeɪs as in "base" is a Stringed instrument played primarily with the Norman Jesse Whitfield ( May 12, 1940 &ndash September 16, 2008) was an American Songwriter and producer, best The tambourine or Marine is a Musical instrument of the percussion family consisting of a frame often of wood or plastic with pairs of small metal jingles [9]
Forming the Temptations
Although "Come On" was a local success in the Detroit area, the Distants never saw much of their share from the record sales, and the second single was not as successful. After receiving an offer from Berry Gordy of Motown Records, the group got out of its contract with Matthews and left Northern. Berry Gordy Jr (born November 28, 1929, Detroit Michigan) is an American Record producer, and the founder of the Motown "Motown" redirects here For the city see Detroit Michigan. At the same time, it lost Mooch Harrell, Richard Street, and the rights to use its name. Street would front a new group of Distants for the local Thelma label during the early 1960s.
The Distants were acquainted with the Primes, as both groups made the same rounds to local record hops, talent shows, and concerts. The two groups were friendly rivals, with the Primes being the more polished and stronger vocal performers. The Primes disbanded in 1960 when Kel Osbourne moved to California, and Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams returned to Alabama. California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. While in Detroit visiting relatives, Kendricks called Otis Williams who, desperately needing two more members for an audition for Gordy, offered Kendricks a lead singer place in the Distants. Kendricks agreed, with one condition -- that he could bring Paul Williams with him. Otis Williams happily agreed, and Kendricks and Paul Williams moved back to Detroit to join the new group.
The new lineup of Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, Elbridge "Al" Bryant, Eddie Kendricks, and Paul Williams took on the name The Elgins and auditioned for Motown in March 1961. Gordy agreed to sign the group to his Miracle Records imprint, as he was already familiar with Kendricks and Williams from background singing sessions they had done before Gordy had formalized Motown, but he discovered just before signing that there was already a singing group called the Elgins. The quintet quickly began tossing about ideas for a new name on the steps of Motown's Hitsville U.S.A. headquarters and studio. "Hitsville USA" was the nickname given to Motown Records ' first headquarters On a suggestion from Miracle Records employee Billy Mitchell and Otis Williams, The Temptations became the group's new moniker. The "Elgins" name would re-surface at Motown in 1965, when Gordy renamed a quartet called The Downbeats as The Elgins. The Elgins directs here For other uses see The Elgins (disambiguation.
The Temptations released two singles on Miracle, "Oh Mother of Mine" and "Check Yourself" featuring Paul Williams' powerful lead, before it was closed and merged with the Gordy label (to avoid confusion with the Miracles singing group). All seven of the Temptations' singles released between 1961 and 1963 failed to make it onto the U. S. pop singles charts; the 1962 single "Dream Come True" (which featured Eddie Kendricks' lead) made it to number 22 on the R&B chart. During that time the group became known as one of the most talented and versatile groups in the country. Paul Williams and Kendricks split most of the leads during this period, with Kendricks becoming the standard for all first tenor/falsetto singers, and Williams as an unsurpassed performer. Bryant, Otis Williams, and Franklin occasionally sang lead but the signature sound, both as leads and the core of the famous harmony was the Kendricks/Williams duo.
Many songwriter and producer teams had been trying to craft a hit for the Temptations, including Berry Gordy, Mickey Stevenson, Clarence Paul, and Norman Whitfield. A songwriter is someone who writes the Lyrics to songs the Musical composition (chords or Melody to songs or both In the Music industry, a record producer or music producer has many roles among them controlling the recording sessions coaching and guiding the musicians organizing William "Mickey" Stevenson was a Songwriter and Record producer for the Motown Records group of labels from the early days of They tried to take the group in several different directions, all in order to find the perfect sound that would put them not only on the U. S. charts (both Pop & R&B), but in the Top 20 as well. One song “Isn’t She Pretty” had all five members signing lead (and mainly showcased the lead vocals of ‘Al’ Bryant); it was a precursor to the multi-lead songs the group would record in the late 60's. There was even the idea of having the Tempts’ change their name to “The Pirates” (they would record two songs under this name, "Mind Over Matter" and "I'll Love You Till I Die") but to no avail. Gordy had in fact written the song "Do You Love Me" for the Temptations in 1961, but when he was unable to get a hold of the group, he recorded the song with the Contours instead. "Do You Love Me" is a 1962 hit single recorded by The Contours for Motown 's Gordy Records label The Contours were one of the early soul singing groups signed to Motown Records. Miracles lead singer/songwriter/producer Smokey Robinson produced his first Temptations single, the Paul Williams-led "I Want a Love I Can See", in 1963, and proved to have the best rapport with the group. " I Want a Love I Can See " is a 1963 single by The Temptations for the Gordy ( Motown) label Despite their best efforts, however, the group was still unsuccessful in landing on the record label's desired spot on any of the U. S. singles charts. The other acts at Motown would soon gave them the nickname "The Hitless Temptations".
Elbridge Bryant, who preferred his day job as a milkman to performing, soon became restless and uncooperative. This article is about the occupation of milk delivery For the Phranc album see Milkman (album. After a performance at the 1963 Motown company Christmas party, Bryant was fired from the group. His replacement was Meridian, Mississippi native David Ruffin, younger brother of Motown artist Jimmy Ruffin. Meridian is a city in Lauderdale County, Mississippi, United States. Jimmy Ruffin (born May 7, 1939 in Collinsville Mississippi) is an American soul Singer and older brother of Though both Ruffin brothers were considered, David was given an edge over Jimmy thanks to his performance skills, which David displayed when he joined the Temptations on-stage during a local Detroit performance earlier that year. [13]
The "Classic Five" era
In January 1964, Smokey Robinson and Miracles bandmate Bobby Rogers co-wrote and produced "The Way You Do the Things You Do" with Eddie Kendricks on lead. Events January 1 - Top of the Pops premieres on BBC television " The Way You Do the Things You Do " is a 1964 hit single by The Temptations for the Gordy ( Motown) label The single became the Temptations' first Top 20 hit that April. "The Way You Do The Things You Do" and several pre-David Ruffin singles were compiled onto the group's first album, Meet The Temptations, released in 1964. Meet the Temptations is the 1964 debut album by The Temptations for the Gordy ( Motown) label While traveling as part of Motown's Motortown Revue later that year Robinson and another fellow Miracle, Ronnie White, wrote a song for the emotive Ruffin to sing lead on, which the group recorded in the fall of 1964. The Motortown Revue was the name given to the package Concert tours of Motown artists in the 1960s Ronald "Ronnie" White ( April 5, 1938 - August 26, 1995) was an African American soul Singer and Released as a single on December 24, 1964, "My Girl", became the Temptations' first number-one pop hit in March 1965, and is their signature song to this day. Events 563 - The Byzantine church Hagia Sophia in Constantinople is dedicated for the second time after being destroyed by Earthquakes " My Girl " released December 21 1964, is a 1965 number-one single recorded by The Temptations for the Gordy ( Motown) label See also Events January 4 - Fender Musical Instruments Corporation is sold to CBS for $13 million
After the success of "My Girl", Ruffin sang lead on the next three Temptations singles: "It's Growing", "Since I Lost My Baby" and "My Baby", all of which made it to the Top 20 in 1965. "Since I Lost My Baby" is a 1965 hit single recorded by The Temptations for the Motown Records ' Gordy label "My Baby" is a 1965 hit single recorded by The Temptations for the Gordy ( Motown) label The b-side to "My Baby", "Don’t Look Back", featured a stirring lead from Paul Williams, and was a sleeper hit on the R&B charts and a standard for vocal groups playlists. A-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of 7 inch Vinyl records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s "Don't Look Back" is a 1965 song recorded by The Temptations for the Gordy ( Motown) label A sleeper hit (often simply called a "sleeper" refers to a Film, Book, single, Album, TV show, or Video game
Norman Whitfield had requested the opportunity to write for the group. In 1966, he was given the opportunity- should Robinson's "Get Ready" fail to chart in the Top 20, the next song would be his. For other uses see Get Ready (disambiguation. "Get Ready" is a Motown song written by Smokey Robinson, which resulted in two "Get Ready" missed the mark, and Whitfield's "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" was released. " Ain't Too Proud to Beg " is a 1966 hit single by The Temptations for Motown Records ' Gordy label produced by Norman Whitfield and written The song did well, and Whitfield was made the group's main producer. He began pushing the group away from Robinson's ballad-based production towards a harder-edged and brass-heavy soul sound reminiscent of the work of James Brown. A ballad is a Poem usually set to Music; thus it often is a story told in a Song. Brass is any Alloy of Copper and Zinc; the proportions of zinc and copper can be varied to create a range of brasses with varying properties James Joseph Brown Jr (May 3 1933 – December 25 2006 commonly referred to as "The Godfather of Soul" the "King of Funk" and "The
Nearly all of the pre-1968 Whitfield-produced Temptations singles featured David Ruffin on lead vocals, including the R&B number-one/pop Top 10 hits "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep" and "(I Know) I'm Losing You". " Beauty Is Only Skin Deep " is a 1966 hit single recorded by The Temptations for the Gordy ( Motown) label Other important singles from this period included the incredibly popular, "You're My Everything", on which Kendricks and Ruffin share lead vocals, and "All I Need", produced by Whitfield's protégé Frank Wilson. Frank Wilson is an African American former Songwriter and Record producer for Motown Records.
Whitfield's writing partners during this period included Roger Penzabene, Temptations road show manager and guitarist Cornelius Grant, and Edward Holland, Jr.. Roger Penzabene was a Songwriter for the Motown label Among his most notable compositions are "The End of Our Road" by Gladys Knight & the Pips See Edward Holland for other people with that name Edward "Eddie" Holland Jr After Eddie Holland left Motown with the rest of the Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting/production team in 1967, Barrett Strong (who sang Motown's very first hit, 1960's "Money (That's What I Want)") began working with Whitfield and Penzabene on Temptations material. Barrett Strong (born February 5 1941, West Point, Mississippi) is an American Singer and Songwriter. " Money (That's What I Want " is a 1959 hit single by Barrett Strong for the Tamla label distributed by Anna Records Two of Whitfield/Strong/Penzabene's collaborations, "I Wish It Would Rain" and "I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)", became hits in 1968. " I Wish It Would Rain " released December 21, 1967, is a 1968 hit single recorded by The Temptations for the Gordy ( Motown Strong became Whitfield's sole collaborator after Penzabene's suicide in December 1967.
Exit David Ruffin
Between 1964 and 1968, the Temptations went from unknown hopefuls to international stars. The group appeared frequently on television shows such as American Bandstand and The Ed Sullivan Show, and catered to middle America with a pop standards album (The Temptations in a Mellow Mood, 1967) and performances at the Copacabana in New York City and other such supper clubs. American Bandstand was a Television show that aired in various versions from 1952 to 1989 hosted from 1957 until its final season by Dick Clark The Ed Sullivan Show was an American television Variety show that ran from June 20, 1948 to June 6, The Temptations in a Mellow Mood is a 1967 album by The Temptations for the Gordy ( Motown) label Copacabana (often referred to as The Copa) was a famous New York City Nightclub. The City of New York Outside of music, the Temptations were made honorary members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Phi Beta Sigma (ΦΒΣ is a predominately African-American fraternity which was founded at Howard University in Washington D
Initially laid back and even-keeled, by 1967 David Ruffin felt that he was almost single-handedly responsible for the group's success. He demanded special treatment, riding to and from gigs in a private mink-lined limousine with his then-girlfriend, singer Tammi Terrell (known for her duets with Marvin Gaye), instead of in the group limousine the other four Temptations used. There are two living species of " mink," the American Mink and the European Mink. A limousine (or limo) is a longer than normal Luxury car. The chassis may have been extended by the manufacturer or by an independent coach builder traditionally Tammi Terrell ( April 29, 1945 – March 16, 1970) was a Grammy Award -nominated American soul Singer Marvin Pentz Gay Jr, known as Marvin Gaye ( April 2, 1939 – April 1, 1984) was an American Singer-songwriter Ruffin missed a number of rehearsals, concerts, and group meetings; and began regularly using cocaine. Cocaine ( benzoylmethyl ecgonine) is a Crystalline Tropane Alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the Coca plant After seeing how Motown had made Diana Ross the focus of the Supremes by renaming the group Diana Ross & the Supremes, Ruffin demanded that his group be renamed, as well -- to David Ruffin & the Temptations. Additionally, Ruffin was demanding an accounting of the Temptations' earnings, which caused friction between him and Berry Gordy.
There was general agreement among the rest of group that Ruffin needed to be replaced. Otis Williams insists that Ruffin was given fair warning that if he did not change his attitude he would be fired. When Ruffin missed a June 1968 engagement at a Cleveland supper club in order to attend a show by his new girlfriend (Dean Martin's daughter Gail), it was decided that he had crossed the line. Dean Martin (born Dino Paul Crocetti; June 7 1917 &ndash December 25 1995 was an American Singer, Film Actor, television personality The other four Temptations drew up legal documentation firing Ruffin from the group, and Dennis Edwards, formerly of the Contours, was hired to replace him. Dennis Edwards (born February 3, 1943) is an American soul and R&B singer most noted for being one of Motown act Edwards and Ruffin were good friends, and Ruffin at first went along with the changing of the guard. After a short time, however, Ruffin began turning up at Temptations shows, jumping onstage during performances of the songs he once sang lead on and stealing the spotlight. The audiences were delighted, but the Temptations and Motown were frustrated and embarrassed. Extra security guards were hired to prevent Ruffin from attending other Temptations' performances. Ruffin sued Motown in October 1968, seeking a release from the label, and Motown settled by offering Ruffin a solo recording deal.
Edwards' first album with the Temptations was Live at the Copa, a live album recorded at the Copacabana nightclub. Live at the Copa is a 1968 live album recorded by The Temptations at the Copacabana supper club in New York City. Later that year, Berry Gordy commissioned the first of a number of collaborations for the Temptations with Diana Ross & the Supremes. The results included a joint tour, two studio albums (Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations, which featured the number-two hit single "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me", and Together), and two NBC television specials, TCB (aired December 9, 1968) and G.I.T. on Broadway (aired November 12, 1969). Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations is as the title implies a collaborative album combining Motown 's two best selling groups Diana Ross & the " I'm Gonna Make You Love Me " is a soul song written in 1967 by Kenneth Gamble Leon Huff, and Jerry Ross Together, released by Motown Records in 1969 (catalog number MS 692 was the second and final duets studio album combining Diana Ross & the Supremes The National Broadcasting Company ( NBC) is an American Television network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's TCB was a 1968 Television special produced by Motown Productions and George Schlatter - Ed Friendly Productions (of Laugh-In Events 536 - Byzantine General Belisarius enters Rome while the Ostrogothic garrison peacefully leaves the city Year 1968 ( MCMLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. GIT on Broadway was a 1969 live Television special produced by Motown Productions and George Schlatter-Ed Friendly Productions Events 764 - Tibetan troops occupy Chang'an, the capital of the Chinese Tang Dynasty, for fifteen days Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The tracks for Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations included Dennis Edwards' first studio recordings with the Temptations.
Psychedelic soul
Dennis Edwards' addition to the Temptations coincided with producer Norman Whitfield's adoption of a new sound for the group. In the fall of 1968, Whitfield began producing psychedelic-based material for the Temptations, derived primarily from the sound of funk band Sly & the Family Stone. Psychedelic music is a term that refers to a broad set of popular music styles genres and scenes that may include Psychedelic rock, psychedelic folk, Psychedelic Funk is an American musical style that originated in the mid- to late-1960s when African American musicians blended Soul music, Soul Sly & the Family Stone is an American funk, soul and rock band from San Francisco California. This new style, which debuted with the Top 10 hit single "Cloud Nine" in October 1968, was a marked departure from the David Ruffin-era ballads. "Cloud Nine" is a 1968 hit single recorded by The Temptations for the Motown label The instrumentation was funkier, the beat was hard-driving, and all five Temptations traded lead vocals, similar to Sly & the Family Stone. Funk is an American musical style that originated in the mid- to late-1960s when African American musicians blended Soul music, Soul "Cloud Nine", the centerpiece of the group's landmark Cloud Nine LP, was a Top 10 hit and won Motown its first Grammy Award, for Best R&B Vocal Group Performance of 1969. Cloud Nine is a 1969 album by The Temptations for the Gordy ( Motown) label The Grammy Awards (originally called the Gramophone Awards)—or Grammys —are presented annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences The Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal has been awarded since 1970 The 11th Grammy Awards were held in 1969. They recognized accomplishments of musicians for the year 1968.
The blending of the Motown sound and psychedelic rock sound resulted in a new subgenre of music called "psychedelic soul", also evident in the work of Diana Ross and the Supremes ("Reflections", "Love Child"), Marvin Gaye's version of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", and the music of the Fifth Dimension, The Undisputed Truth and the Friends of Distinction. Psychedelic soul is a concept used to categorize music that features elements of Psychedelic rock and soul / Funk music " Love Child " is a 1968 number-one hit single released by the Motown label as a single for Diana Ross & the Supremes, although Diana Ross " I Heard It Through the Grapevine " is a R&B / soul song written by Motown songwriters Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong The Fifth Dimension, also known as The 5th Dimension, is an American Popular music Vocal group, whose repertoire also includes pop The Friends of Distinction are an American vocal group best known for their late 1960's hits " Grazing in the Grass," "Love or Let Me Be More Temptations psychedelic soul singles would follow in 1969 and 1970, among them "Runaway Child, Running Wild" (a number-one R&B hit), "I Can't Get Next to You" (a number-one pop hit), "Psychedelic Shack", "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)". "Runaway Child Running Wild" (the song was called " Run Away Child Running Wild " on the label of the original single is a 1969 hit single " I Can't Get Next to You " is a 1969 number-one single recorded by The Temptations and produced by Norman Whitfield for the Gordy ( Motown "Psychedelic Shack", released December 28, 1969, is a 1970 hit single for the Motown label performed by The Temptations and produced " Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today " is a 1970 hit single for the Gordy ( Motown) label recorded by The Temptations and produced The formula began to wear thin when "Ungena Za Ulimwengu (Unite the World)", went to #33 Pop in the Fall of 1970.
Exit Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams
During the late-1960s, Paul Williams' physical and mental health began to decline sharply. Williams suffered from both depression and sickle-cell disease, and also developed alcoholism, all of which made it hard for him to continue performing. Major depressive disorder, also known as major depression, unipolar depression, unipolar disorder, clinical depression, or simply depression Sickle-cell disease or sickle-cell anaemia (or anemia) is a Blood disorder characterized by Red blood cells that assume an abnormal rigid Alcoholism is a term with multiple and sometimes conflicting definitions Oxygen tanks were kept in the wings of performance venue stages for Williams, and the other four Temptations made valiant efforts to raid and drain his alcohol stashes. By 1969, former Distant Richard Street, now lead singer of Motown act the Monitors, was touring with the group as a backup replacement for Williams. Richard Street (born Richard Allen Street October 5 1942 in Detroit Michigan) is an American soul and R&B Singer The Monitors were a minor Motown act from the 1960s The group which consisted of lead singer Richard Street, Sandra Fagin John "Maurice" Fagin and Warren For most shows, Street would sing Williams' parts (save for his solo numbers) from offstage behind a curtain, while Williams danced and lip-synched onstage. Lip-sync or Lip-synch (short for lip Synchronization) is a technical term for matching lip movements with voice At other shows, and during most of the second half of 1970, Street took Williams' place onstage.
As Paul Williams' health failed, Eddie Kendricks became detached from the group. He regularly had fights with Otis Williams and Melvin Franklin over the group's leadership. In addition, Kendricks was uncomfortable with the psychedelic soul material the group was now performing, preferring the ballad material from the earlier days. Kendricks rekindled his friendship with David Ruffin, who persuaded him to quit the Temptations and go solo. After another confrontation between himself, Otis Williams, and Franklin during a November 1970 Copacabana engagement, Kendricks walked out in-between shows and did not return. Both Franklin and Otis Williams agreed at this time that Kendricks would be leaving the group.
Before Kendricks officially left the Temptations, he and Paul Williams recorded the lead vocals for "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)", a lush, wistful ballad that became Kendricks' Temptations swan song. " Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me " is a 1971 US number-one hit single released on the Gordy ( Motown) label recorded by The Temptations and The phrase " swan song " is a reference to an ancient belief that the Mute Swan ( Cygnus olor) is completely mute during its lifetime until the moment just Released as a single in January 1971, "Just My Imagination" began steadily climbing the U. Events February 5 - Eric Burdon & War disbanding They never performed togeather again until April 21 2008 at the Royal Albert Hall S. pop singles chart. By the time "Just My Imagination" hit number-one in March, Kendricks had negotiated his release from the group and signed a solo deal with Motown's Tamla imprint.
Kendricks' original replacement was Ricky Owens, from the Los Angeles-based vocal group the Vibrations. Ricky Owens (born Richard Edgar Owens in St Louis Missouri) ( April 24, 1939 - December 6, 1996) was an American Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West The Vibrations were an American soul Vocal group from Los Angeles, California, active from the mid-1950s to 1976 However, Owens gave poorly-received performances during the few shows he performed with the group, and he was dropped after only a few weeks. During most of the spring of 1971, the Temptations remained a quartet, and re-recorded the single "It's Summer" without a fifth member. In April, Paul Williams quit the Temptations, after a medical declaration that he was unable to continue performing. Richard Street officially took his place, while Williams remained on the group's payroll as an advisor and choreographer. After Williams had recovered enough to perform again, Motown made plans for a Paul Williams solo career, but he died at age 34 in Detroit on August 17, 1973. Events 986 - A Byzantine army was destroyed in the pass of Trajan's Gate by the Bulgarians under the Comitopuli Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar. Williams' death was ruled a suicide.
The Temptations in the early 1970s
By May, The Temptations had found a permanent replacement first tenor in twenty-year-old Baltimore native Damon Harris. Damon Harris (born Otis Robert Harris Jr on July 17 1950 in Baltimore Maryland) is an African-American soul and Otis Williams, Edwards, Franklin, Street, and Harris continued recording and performing, and Norman Whitfield continued producing hits for them. Among these were Top 40 hits such as "Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are)" (1971), a message from the Temptations to Sly Stone, Diana Ross and the estranged David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks, and "Take a Look Around" (1972). " Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are " is a 1971 hit single for the Gordy ( Motown) label recorded by The Temptations and produced by Norman
The fall of 1972 saw the release of Whitfield's magnum opus, "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone". Magnum opus (sometimes Opus magnum, plural magna opera) from the Latin meaning great work, refers to the best the greatest " Papa Was a Rollin' Stone " is a soul song written by Motown Songwriters Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong as a single Originally a three-minute record written and produced for the Undisputed Truth, Whitfield took the sombre tune and created a sprawling, dramatic eleven and ¾-minute version for the Temptations. An edited seven-minute version was released as a single in September 1972, hitting number-one on the pop charts and number-five on the R&B charts. In 1973, "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" won the Temptations their second Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Group. The Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal has been awarded since 1970 Whitfield and arranger/conductor Paul Riser won the award for Best R&B Instrumental Performance with the instrumental version of "Papa" on the single's b-side, and Whitfield and Barrett Strong won the songwriters' Grammy for Best R&B Song. The Grammy Award for Best R&B Instrumental Performance was awarded from 1970 to 1990 and in 1993 The Grammy Award for Best R&B Song (sometimes known as the R&B Songwriter's Award has been awarded since 1969.
After "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone", Whitfield stopped working with Barrett Strong, and began writing the Temptations' material on his own. The success of "Papa" led Whitfield to create more elongated, operatic pieces, including the Top 10 hit "Masterpiece" (1973) and several of the tracks on the resulting Masterpiece album. Masterpiece is a 1973 album by The Temptations for the Gordy ( Motown) label entirely written and produced by Norman Whitfield. Tensions developed between Whitfield and the group, who found Whitfield arrogant and difficult to work with. The group cited his habitual tardiness, his emphasis of the instrumental tracks over the vocals on many of his productions, and the declining singles and albums sales as other sources of conflict. Otis Williams complained about Whitfield's actions and the Temptations' stagnant sales to Berry Gordy, who intervened and reassigned them to Jeffrey Bowen, co-producer of the 1967 In a Mellow Mood album. Jeffrey Bowen was a Songwriter and Record producer, notable for his work at both Motown Records and Holland-Dozier-Holland 's Invictus
The final Norman Whitfield-produced Temptations album, 1990, was released in late 1973, and included the Top 30 single "Let Your Hair Down". 1990 is a 1973 album by The Temptations for the Gordy ( Motown) label their final LP written and produced by Norman Whitfield. Whitfield left Motown shortly afterwards, and in 1975 established Whitfield Records, taking with him the Undisputed Truth, Willie Hutch, and Rose Royce, who performed the instrumental track for "Let Your Hair Down". Whitfield Records was a Record label, founded in 1975 by Motown producer and songwriter Norman Whitfield and active until 1982 Willie McKinley Hutchinson, known professionally as Willie Hutch ( December 6, 1944 &ndash September 19, 2005) was an American Rose Royce is a Grammy Award -winning soul, Funk, and Disco band based in Los Angeles.
Dry spell
Bowen's first LP with the Temptations was January 1975's A Song for You, which included a cover of the titular Leon Russell tune (popularized with soul audiences by Donny Hathaway), along with the pop Top 40/R&B number-one hits "Happy People" (featuring the Commodores as the instrumentalists) and "Shakey Ground" (featuring instrumentation by Parliament-Funkadelic's Eddie Hazel and Billy Bass Nelson), and "Glasshouse", the group's final Top 40 Pop hit. Events January 2 - New York City US District Court Judge Richard Owen rules that former Beatle John Lennon and his lawyers A Song for You is a 1975 album by the Motown singing group The Temptations, considered one of their best overall efforts Leon Russell (born Claude Russell Bridges on April 2 1942 in Lawton Oklahoma, United States) is a Singer, Songwriter Donny Hathaway ( October 1, 1945 – January 13, 1979) was an American soul musician The Commodores were a highly successful Funk / soul band of the 1970s and 1980s The bands Parliament and Funkadelic cannot be easily separated Edward Earl "Eddie" Hazel ( April 10, 1950 – December 23, 1992) was a pioneering and influential guitarist in early Funk William "Billy Bass" Nelson (born 1951 is a US musician who was the original bassist for Funkadelic. Damon Harris was fired from the group during the recording of A Song for You, as his behavior and work ethic were deemed unprofessional. [14] His replacement was Washington, D.C. native Glenn Leonard, formerly of the Unifics. Washington DC ( formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, the District, or simply D Glenn Carl Leonard (born June 11, 1947 in Washington DC) is an American R&B and Soul The Unifics were an American soul group from Washington DC. The Unifics formed in 1966 at Howard University. [15]
A number of producers, including Bowen, Brian Holland, James Carmichael, and even the Temptations themselves tried producing hits for the next three LPs, House Party (November 1975), Wings of Love (March 1976), and The Temptations Do the Temptations (August 1976). Brian Holland (born February 15, 1941 in Detroit Michigan) is an African American Songwriter and Record producer, best House Party is a 1975 album by The Temptations for the Gordy ( Motown) label Wings of Love is a 1976 album by The Temptations for the Gordy ( Motown) label Events January-February January 5 - Bob Dylan releases Desire January 6 - Peter Frampton The Temptations Do the Temptations is a 1976 album by The Temptations for the Gordy ( Motown) label None of these recordings were as commercially successful as A Song for You, and none of their associated singles entered the Billboard charts. [16]
As time progressed, Bowen pushed Dennis Edwards further to the front. This was evident in on Wings of Love, which features Edwards' voice more prominently than the other Temptations' backing vocals. [17] Otis Williams felt that this was hurting the group; additionally, he accused Motown of inattention, and cited this as the reason for the group's declining sales and popularity. After The Temptations Do the Temptations was recorded in 1976, Edwards was fired from the group,[18] and with new lead Louis Price on board, they left Motown for Atlantic Records. Louis Bernhardt Price (born March 29, 1953) is an American R&B, Soul singer and Actor notable for being the lead singer Atlantic Records ( Atlantic Recording Corporation) is an American Record label best known for its many recordings of Rhythm & blues, Rock [19]
Success continued to elude the group at Atlantic, however. Their releases on Atlantic -- Hear to Tempt You (1977), Bare Back (1978), and their associated singles -- failed to perform better than their last handful of Motown singles, and in 1979, Atlantic released the group from its contract. [17] Shortly afterwards, the Temptations met with Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy, and the group re-signed with Motown in 1980. [20]
Return to Motown and Reunion
Upon the return to Motown, Louis Price departed from the group and joined the Drifters. Dennis Edwards, who had been inactive for the previous three years despite remaining with Motown as a solo act, returned to the lineup. Berry Gordy co-wrote and produced the Temptations' first single under the new contract, "Power", from the album of the same name. "Power" missed the Billboard Hot 100 Top 40, but hit number 11 on the R&B charts. Two years of underperforming singles and albums followed, including an eponymous album with Philadelphia-based producer Thom Bell, until Motown began planning a Temptations reunion tour in 1982. Philadelphia (ˌfɪləˈdɛlfiə Thom Bell was the Record producer behind much of the Philadelphia soul subgenre of Soul music in the 1970s
Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin agreed to rejoin the group for the Reunion album and tour. Reunion is a 1982 album by The Temptations for Gordy Records. Melvin Franklin's nephew, Motown funk star Rick James (who had previously used the Temptations as backup vocalists on his 1981 hit "Super Freak"), wrote, produced, and guested on the Reunion album's lead single, "Standing on the Top", which featured Ruffin, Kendricks, and Edwards on lead. Funk is an American musical style that originated in the mid- to late-1960s when African American musicians blended Soul music, Soul Rick James (born James Ambrose Johnson Jr) ( February 1 1948 &ndash August 6 2004) was an American musician " Super Freak " is a 1981 hit single produced and performed by Rick James for the Motown label The single went to number-six on the R&B charts. While the ensuing Reunion tour with all seven Temptations (Ruffin, Kendricks, Otis Williams, Franklin, Edwards, Richard Street, and Glenn Leonard) was financially successful, it ended up being a stressful venture: Kendricks' voice had weakened after decades of chain smoking, and Ruffin, still addicted to drugs, missed a number of the performances. Chain smoking is the practice of lighting a new Cigarette for personal consumption immediately after one that is finished sometimes using the finished cigarette to light the At the conclusion of the Reunion tour, Ruffin and Kendricks were fired, and they began touring and performing together as a duo.
One more album, Surface Thrills, was released in 1983. Surface Thrills is an album from The Temptations. The only single released from the album was "Love on My Mind Tonight" It featured a sharp departure in the group's sound by incorporating elements of then-current rock. Following its release, Glenn Leonard left and was replaced by Ron Tyson, who was with the Philadelphia groups the Ethics and Love Committee. Ron Tyson (born February 8 1948) is an American Tenor / Falsetto Singer and Songwriter. Tyson had been a songwriter at Atlantic during the Temptations' time there, and co-wrote several songs on the album Hear to Tempt You.
From the 1980s to the 1990s
By this time, the Temptations' releases were no longer performing well on the pop charts, though they sometimes made the R&B Top 20. "Love on My Mind Tonight", a single from Surface Thrills, made it to number 17. "Sail Away", produced by a returning Norman Whitfield and featuring Ron Tyson's first lead vocal, peaked at number 13.
Dennis Edwards was again fired in 1984, this time for missing rehearsals, or showing up hungover. A hangover ( veisalgia) describes the sum of unpleasant physiological effects following heavy consumption of drugs particularly Alcoholic beverages The most commonly He attempted a second solo career, scoring a hit with the 1984 single "Don't Look Any Further", a duet with Siedah Garrett. Siedah Garrett (born June 24 1960 in Los Angeles, California) is an American R&B Singer, Academy Award His place in the Tempations was taken by Ali-Ollie Woodson, a Detroit native who had been a potential candidate to replace Edwards back in 1977. Ali-Ollie Woodson (born Ollie Creggett on September 12, 1951 in Detroit Michigan) is an American R&B Singer The album Back to Basics was released; it was the first album featuring Ron Tyson, and featured one track with Woodson, "Stop the World Right Here (I Wanna Get Off)". Woodson's first lead on a single was 1984's "Treat Her Like a Lady", co-written by himself and Otis Williams, and co-produced by former Earth, Wind and Fire members Al McKay and Ralph Johnson. Earth Wind & Fire is an African - American Funk band led by Maurice White that achieved worldwide success in the 1970s The single became their biggest success on R&B radio in some time, reaching number-two on the R&B charts, and just missing the Pop Top 40. The group experienced similar success the following year with the single "Lady Soul", another Top 5 R&B smash.
On July 13th 1985, Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin would achieve "World comeback" recognition for their performances with Pop/Rock superstars Daryl Hall and John Oates (Hall and Oates) in a performance given at the "Live Aid" concert in Philadelphia televised world wide. The segment with Kendricks and Ruffin included a Medley of "Get ready/The Way You Do the Things You Do/My Girl". The combination of Hall, Oates, Ruffin and Kendricks went on to perform the resurrected Hall and Oates hit (made popular by the English artist Paul Young), "Every Time You Go Away". This was the exact performance the singing quartet had just recorded live in a sold out performance for the "reopening" of the historic Apollo Theater. The medley released on Live at the Apollo for RCA, became a top 20 hit on the pop charts.
Ollie Woodson remained with the Temptations until 1987, when he was fired and replaced by an again-returning Dennis Edwards. The group recorded one album during Edwards' third tenure, Together Again, released in late 1987. Together Again is an album by The Temptations, released on Motown Records in the fall of 1987 (see 1987 in music) The following year, Otis Williams published his autobiography, Temptations, co-written with Patricia Romanowski, chronicling the careers of the group from the Primes/Distants days to the present, and focusing on the lives of Williams and Melvin Franklin. An updated version of the book was published in 2002.
Edwards was fired for the third and final time in late 1989, with Woodson re-joining the lineup. Also that year, the Temptations were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, honoring Edwards, Franklin, Otis Williams, David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks (now performing as "Eddie Kendrick"), and, posthumously, Paul Williams. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a Museum located on the shores of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland Ohio, United States Most of the Temptations, present and former, showed no ill feelings towards each other, although Otis Williams reported that Kendricks would not speak to him during the ceremony. [20] The Temptations ended their induction with Paul Williams' signature song, "Don't Look Back", dedicated to his memory.
After reuniting at the induction ceremony, Edwards, Ruffin, and Kendrick made plans to tour and record as "Ruffin/Kendrick/Edwards, Former Leads of The Temptations". The tour was carried out, much to the chagrin of Otis Williams and Motown, but production on an album was terminated when Ruffin, age 50, died on June 1, 1991 in Philadelphia after a drug overdose. Events 193 - Roman Emperor Didius Julianus is Assassinated 987 - Hugh Capet is elected Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. Kendrick was diagnosed with lung cancer but continued to perform; he died on October 5, 1992 at the age of 52, in his native Birmingham. Lung cancer is a Disease of uncontrolled Cell growth in tissues of the Lung. Events 869 - The Fourth Council of Constantinople is convened to decide about what to do about Patriarch Photius of Constantinople Year 1992 ( MCMXCII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar)
The Temptations in the 1990s
From the 1990s on, the Temptations' lineup began to change more frequently than before. Richard Street missed a performance in 1992 after undergoing emergency surgery to remove kidney stones. Otis Williams was not aware of Street's surgery, and called him, angry about Street's absence. Street felt Williams was unsympathetic, and as a result, he left the group in 1993 after twenty-two years. His replacement was St. Louis native Theo Peoples. Theo Peoples is an African-American R&B / soul singer The son of a Preacher, he was discovered by Ron Tyson and tapped to replace
Two years later, Melvin Franklin was forced to stop performing because of failing health. He died on February 23, 1995 at the age of 52, after suffering a brain seizure. Events 1455 - Traditional date for the publication of the Gutenberg Bible, the first Western Book printed from Movable Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 An epileptic seizure is caused by excessive and/or hypersynchronous electrical Neuronal activity and is usually self-limiting Ray Davis, from Parliament-Funkadelic, came on as new bass singer, and the group recorded the pop standards album For Lovers Only, which contained two tracks led by Melvin Franklin. Raymond "Ray" Davis (born March 29, 1940, in Sumter South Carolina - died July 5, 2005, New Brunswick New Jersey For Lovers Only is a 1996 covers / Pop standards album by The Temptations for the Motown label something of a sequel to their Davis left shortly after completing the album, due to a lung cancer diagnosis. Lung cancer is a Disease of uncontrolled Cell growth in tissues of the Lung. [21] The group continued as a quartet for a short time, before recruiting bass Harry McGilberry, a former member of the Futures. Harry McGilberry (born Harry McGilberry Jr in Philadelphia Pennsylvania) ( January 19, 1950 - April 3, 2006) was an For Lovers Only would also be the last for lead Ali-Ollie Woodson; he was released from the group in 1996[22] due to health problems, having suffered two battles with throat cancer. He was replaced by his fill-in from his first health concern, new member Terry Weeks. Terry Wayne Weeks (born December 23, 1963) is an American R&B and Soul singer who is currently one of the lead singers of the legendary
The new Temptations lineup, consisting of Otis Williams, Ron Tyson, Theo Peoples, and newcomers Harry McGilberry and Terry Weeks, debuted at the halftime show of Super Bowl XXXII, which celebrated the fortieth anniversary of Motown. Super Bowl XXXII was an American football game played on January 25 1998 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego California to decide the National In 1998, The Temptations released Phoenix Rising, their first million-selling album in over twenty years. Phoenix Rising is a 1998 album by The Temptations for the Motown label featuring the debut of new Temptations Barrington "Bo" Henderson The album was anchored by the Theo Peoples-led single "Stay", a number-one hit on the adult contemporary charts that featured a sample from "My Girl". In Music, sampling is the act of taking a portion or sample, of one Sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or element of a new recording During the recording of Phoenix Rising, however, Theo Peoples departed, and was replaced by Barrington "Bo" Henderson. Barrington Scott "Bo" Henderson (born June 10, 1956 in Washington Pennsylvania) is an African-American R&B singer The completed album features both Henderson and Peoples (who later joined the Four Tops) on different tracks. The Four Tops are an American vocal Quartet, whose repertoire has included Doo-wop, Jazz, Soul music, R&B, Disco
The Temptations mini-series
1998 also saw the debut of The Temptations, a four-hour television miniseries based on Otis Williams' Temptations autobiography. The Temptations was a four-hour Television Miniseries broadcast in two-hour halves on NBC, based upon the history of one of Motown The Temptations was a four-hour Television Miniseries broadcast in two-hour halves on NBC, based upon the history of one of Motown A miniseries (also mini-series) in a serial Storytelling medium is a production which tells a story in a pre-planned limited number of episodes It was broadcast in two parts on NBC on November 1 and November 2, 1998. The National Broadcasting Company ( NBC) is an American Television network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Events 996 - Emperor Otto III issues a deed to Gottschalk Bishop of Freising which is the oldest known document using the name Ostarrîchi Events 1570 - A Tidal wave in the North Sea devastates the coast from Holland to Jutland, killing more than 1000 The miniseries was a ratings success and won an Emmy award for Best Direction; it was subsequently rerun on the VH-1 cable television network and released to VHS and DVD. VH1 (known as VH-1 Video Hits One from 1985 to 1994 and VH1 Music First until 2003) is an American Cable television DVD (also known as " Digital Versatile Disc " or " Digital Video Disc " - see Etymology)is
Otis Williams' former wife Josephine, Melvin Franklin's mother Rose Franklin, and David Ruffin's family, filed a joint lawsuit against Williams, Motown, de Passe Entertainment, Hallmark Entertainment, and NBC for a number of charges, including defamation of character. de Passe Entertainment is an American Film and Television production company run by entertainment executive Suzanne de Passe. RHI Entertainment is an American producer of Television movies and Miniseries, founded in the 1980s by Robert Halmi Jr The judges ruled in favor of the defendants, and the ruling was upheld when the plaintiffs appealed in 2001. Williams later claimed that, although his book was used as the source material for the film, he did not have a great deal of control over how the material was presented.
From 2000 to the present day
The Temptations were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999. The Vocal Group Hall of Fame was organized to honor what they term "the Greatest Vocal Groups in the World" In 2001, their 2000 album Ear-Resistible won the group its third Grammy, this one for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance. Ear-Resistible is a 2000 album by The Temptations for the Motown label The Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance has been awarded since 1999. Three classic Temptations songs, "My Girl", "Ain't Too Proud to Beg", and "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone", are among The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.
Bo Henderson was fired from the group in 2003, prompting a wrongful termination lawsuit. [23] His replacement was former Spinners lead G.C. Cameron. The Spinners are a Detroit, Michigan -based soul Vocal group (active since 1954 and most popular during the 1970s George Curtis "GC" Cameron (born September 21 1945 In Jackson Mississippi) is an American soul and R&B singer The lineup of Cameron, Otis Williams, Ron Tyson, Harry McGilberry, and Terry Weeks recorded for a short time before Harry McGilberry was dismissed;[24] his replacement was former Spaniels bass Joe Herndon. The Spaniels were an American R&B Doo-wop group best known for the hit " Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight " Joe Herndon (born January 5, 1949) is an American R&B and Soul singer former bass singer of a version of doo-wop group The Spaniels McGilberry died on April 3, 2006, at age 56. Events 1043 - Edward the Confessor is crowned King of England. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.
The group's final Motown album, Legacy, was released in 2004. Legacy is a 2004 album by The Temptations for the Motown label introducing Later that year, the Temptations asked to be released from their Motown contract, and moved to another Universal Motown Records Group label, New Door Records. Universal Motown Records Group Universal Records Motown Records Chamillitary Entertainment - founded by rapper Their sole album with this lineup, Reflections, was released on January 31, 2006, and contains covers of several popular Motown songs, including Diana Ross & the Supremes' "Reflections", the Miracles' "Ooo Baby Baby", Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing", and the Jackson 5's "I'll Be There". Events 1504 - France cedes Naples to Aragon. 1606 - Gunpowder Plot: Guy Fawkes Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. " Ooo Baby Baby " is a 1965 hit single by The Miracles for the Tamla ( Motown) label today considered the group's Signature song. " Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing " is a 1968 single released by American R&B / soul duo Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell The Jackson 5 (also spelled The Jackson Five or The Jackson 5ive, and later known as The Jacksons) was an American popular music Family " I'll Be There " is a soul song written by Berry Gordy Jr [25] The Temptations were nominated for the 2007 Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance, for their version of Gaye's "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" from Reflections. The Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance has been awarded since 1999. " How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You " is a 1965 hit song written and produced by the Motown songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland.
G. C. Cameron left the group in June 2007 to focus on his solo career. [26] He was replaced by new member Bruce Williamson. The new lineup recorded another album of soul covers, Back to Front [27], released in October 2007. Later on that year, the group performed with the vocal group Human Nature at Hitsville USA performing "The Way You Do The Things You Do". "Hitsville USA" was the nickname given to Motown Records ' first headquarters
Splinter groups
Several former Temptations continue to perform outside of the group in spin-off or offshoot acts.
The most well known splinter was "Ruffin/Kendrick/Edwards: Former Leads of the Temptations", which featured the three former Temptations and three other members (David Sea, who'd been a consideration to replace Edwards in 1984, Nate Evans, a former member of The Impressions, and a female vocalist). The Impressions are an American Music group from Chicago, originally formed in 1958 Following David Ruffin's death, Dennis Edwards and Eddie Kendrick began touring as "The Temptations", still with David Sea and Nate Evans, and bringing in another former Temptation, Damon Harris. The group had different sixth vocalists at different times, including Charles Blackmon, from The Choice Four, and Curtis Taylor. [28] Their use of the Temptations name prompted a legal battle with Otis Williams.
Following Kendrick's death, the group splintered: Dennis formed "Dennis Edwards and the Temptations Review", Damon formed "Damon Harris and the Temptations Review" (featuring future Temptation Joe Herndon), David Sea went on to a solo career,[29] and Evans and Taylor formed a Temptations tribute band. [30] Edwards' group has appeared on several PBS music specials. The Public Broadcasting Service ( PBS) is a Non-profit Public broadcasting Television service with 354 member TV stations in the The lineup in 1993 was Edwards, Mike Patillo (bass), Bernard Gibson (tenor), a fourth male member, and a female member. The female member was replaced by the returning David Sea in 1999, and the remaining male member by falsetto Chris Arnold in the early 2000s. [31] Bernard Gibson was fired in 2006[32], and replaced by another former Temptation, Ali-Ollie Woodson. Woodson previously fronted an act called Ali-Ollie Woodson & the Emperors of Soul-- Emperors of Soul being the name of the 1994 Temptations boxed set. Emperors of Soul is a 1994 Box set compilation for The Temptations, released by Motown Records. A box set (sometimes referred to as a boxed set) is a compilation of various musical recordings Films Television programs or other collection Woodson left the group in 2008 (joining a Broadway review of The Greatest Love Story Ever Told[33]), and was replaced by Paul Williams, Jr. , son of original Temptation Paul Williams. [34]
Damon Harris split from his group in the late 1990s; the other four members then joined with another former Temptation, Glenn Leonard, to become "Glenn Leonard and the Temptations Experience. " Joe Herndon left this group to join the Temptations[35] His spot was filled by former Temptations bass Ray Davis, and, following Davis' death on July 5, 2005, Harry McGilberry, another former Temptations bass (McGilberry died on April 3, 2006). Events 1295 - Scotland and France form an alliance the beginnings of the Auld Alliance, against England. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1043 - Edward the Confessor is crowned King of England. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Damon Harris would form a new group later, billed as "Damon Harris and the Temptations Tribute. "
Richard Street also leads a group, billed as "Richard Street" or "Richard Street's Temptations". [36] Street is in the process of writing a book regarding his time with The Temptations entitled Ball of Confusion. If it is published, it will be the second autobiography regarding the group. In 1992, "Ruffin & Kendricks" roadie, Tony Turner, also wrote a book, assisted by Barbara Aria, contrasting Otis Williams' account of the group's glory days, entitled Deliver Us From Temptation.
Leonard, Woodson, and Henderson have toured as "Legendary Lead Singers of the Temptations" and "The Temptations Reunion Show" since 2004. This prompted a lawsuit by Otis Williams filed in October 2007, citing not just the three performers but their managers and every venue that hosted them. Williams' complaint deals with their use of "The Temptations", as well as claims that the act accepted considerably lower fees than The Temptations, hurting the group's reputation as well as the ability to work. Also cited is advertising by the venues claimed to be misleading by billing Leonard, Woodson, and Henderson's group as "The Temptations". [37]
Musical style
The Temptations' songs depended upon the individual members' interaction as a group; unlike many other R&B groups, each member of the Temptations was a lead singer of some capacity. Although the group always had an appointed main lead singer who dominated most the lead vocals (from Paul Williams to David Ruffin, Dennis Edwards, and later singers such as Louis Price, Ali-Ollie Woodson, and Terry Weeks), that singer was never given more of a promotional push than the other members. Co-lead songs, with two or more of the singers sharing the lead vocals, are common in the Temptations catalog, particularly among the psychedelic-era recordings of the late 1960s/early 1970s.
The "Motown Sound"
The group would alter their style several times over the years following their first Motown hit, adapting to the popular styles of the day while retaining their signature visual and vocal styles. The earliest Temptations recordings reflect the influence of producers Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson, featuring a blend of black rhythm and blues and white pop music that came to be later identified as the "Motown Sound". Pop music as a genre features a noticeable rhythmic element catchy melodies and hooks, a mainstream style and conventional structure "Motown" redirects here For the city see Detroit Michigan. Backed by Motown's stalwart studio band, the Funk Brothers, pre-1966 Temptations recordings were built around songs (usually ballads like "My Girl") with simple, direct lyrics supported by an R&B rhythm section with orchestral strings and horns added for pop appeal. The Funk Brothers was the nickname of Detroit Michigan, Session musicians who performed the backing to most Motown Records recordings from 1959 until 1972 During this period, each recording usually featured only one lead singer, usually David Ruffin or Eddie Kendricks, although Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin, and Otis Williams each had solo numbers of their own at various times.
Like most Motown groups, melisma and other complicated vocalization techniques were eschewed by the Temptations for a more direct, yet obviously gospel-rooted vocal approach, to make the songs more palatable for white audiences. Melisma, in music is singing a single syllable of text while moving between several different notes in succession Gospel music is Music that is written to express either personal or a communal belief regarding Christian life as well as (in terms of the varying music styles to Creative control remained primarily in Smokey Robinson's hands, although the Temptations, most frequently Eddie Kendricks, periodically co-wrote some of their material. Kendricks also handled the vocal arrangements for all of the Temptations' material.
In 1966, Norman Whitfield changed the group's dynamic, moving them away from the previous one lead singer model and adding elements derived from the rougher soul of artists like James Brown, Wilson Pickett, and the performers at Stax Records. Wilson Pickett ( March 18, 1941 – January 19, 2006) was an American R&B / Rock and Roll and soul Stax Records is an American record label founded in 1957 originally based out of Memphis Tennessee. Whitfield and his lyricists crafted Temptations songs with shifts of dynamics, syncopated horn stabs, and more intricate harmony arrangements which spotlighted each singer's unique vocal range. Onstage, this change was reflected in the group's use of a custom-made four-headed microphone stand, which allowed each member freedom to perform without having to all crowd around one or two microphones. Under Whitfield's control, the Temptations retained their white pop appeal, but also gained popularity amongst black audiences as well.
Psychedelic and cinematic soul
When David Ruffin was replaced by Dennis Edwards, and Sly and the Family Stone became popular, Whitfield again restructured the Temptations' sound, this time driving the group almost completely into a "psychedelic soul" sound. Recordings from this period (such as "Cloud Nine" and "Psychedelic Shack") featured echoed vocal tracks, distorted guitar lines with prominent use of the wah-wah pedal, hard-hitting drums, and various stereo effects and sound effects. The guitar is a Musical instrument with ancient roots that is used in a wide variety of musical styles Stereophonic sound, commonly called stereo, is the reproduction of Sound, using two or more independent audio channels through a Symmetrical The majority of these songs feature at least two lead singers; often, all five Temptations sang lead, trading bars a la the Family Stone. Dennis Edwards, whose vocal style had a rougher, more Southern-soul based sound than David Ruffin's, was featured prominently on most of these recordings.
The lyrics for these songs, inspired heavily by Sly Stone's concurrent works, centered primarily around social issues such as integration, the Vietnam War, and self-consciousness. Sly Stone (born Sylvester Stewart on 15 March 1943, in Denton, Texas) is an American Musician, Songwriter Racial integration, or simply integration includes Desegregation (the process of ending systematic Racial segregation) The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, or the Vietnam Conflict, occurred in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia Ballads in the group's traditional style were still being recorded as b-sides and album fillers (the exception being "Just My Imagination"). Many of the psychedelic soul recordings were presented in extended-length mixes longer than the typical three-minute Motown song. Tracks such as the album version of "Run Away Child, Running Wild" from Cloud Nine, "Take a Stroll Thru Your Mind" from Psychedelic Shack, and "Smiling Faces Sometimes" from Sky's the Limit, all run at least eight minutes in length. " Smiling Faces Sometimes " is a soul song written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong for the Motown label Much of the running time for each song consists of instrumental passages without vocals, at Whitfield's insistence. The hit version of their smash 1972 single "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" was nearly seven minutes long, with an instrumental intro that was almost two minutes long -- a rarity for songs of that era.
"Psychedelic soul" soon gave way to "cinematic soul": Long recordings with detailed orchestration and extended instrumental introductions and bridging passages, often focusing on lyrics about the ghettos and inner cities of black America. A ghetto is described as a "portion of a city in which members of a minority group live especially because of social legal or economic pressure These songs were heavily influenced by the work of singer/songwriters Isaac Hayes and Curtis Mayfield. Isaac Lee Hayes Jr (August 20 1942 – August 10 2008 was an American Academy Award winning soul and Funk singer-songwriter Musician Curtis Lee Mayfield ( June 3, 1942 – December 26, 1999) was an American soul, R&B, and Funk Unlike Hayes and Mayfield, the Temptations had no creative control over their recordings, and were not fond of the twelve and thirteen-minute long songs that Norman Whitfield was now producing for them. Whitfield's contributions were the focal point of Temptations albums such as Solid Rock, All Directions, and particularly Masterpiece. Solid Rock is a 1972 album by The Temptations for the Gordy ( Motown) label produced by Norman Whitfield. All Directions is a 1972 album by The Temptations for the Gordy ( Motown) label produced by Norman Whitfield.
From funk to disco to adult contemporary
After Whitfield was dismissed as the Temptations' producer in 1974, the group altered its sound to accommodate a balance of both up-tempo dance material and ballads. The vocal arrangements began to again focus primarily on one lead singer per track, although leads were still being periodically shared. In addition, the Temptations themselves, after fighting Motown and Berry Gordy for creative control, began to write and produce some of their material. From this point on, the Temptations focused almost exclusively on songs about romance; songs about social issues similar to the Whitfield-era recordings were periodically recorded as well.
Mid-1970s Temptations recordings focused significantly on funk music influences from artists such as Parliament-Funkadelic and Sly and the Family Stone; members of both acts contributed to Temptations material during this period. Funk is an American musical style that originated in the mid- to late-1960s when African American musicians blended Soul music, Soul The group's ballads, reduced to filler material during much of the Whitfield period, were restored to the lush sound of the earlier Smokey Robinson-produced hits. After a brief diversion into disco in the late-1970s, the Temptations settled into an adult contemporary-rooted form of R&B, a style in which they continue to record. Disco is a Genre of dance-oriented music whose origins are hard to define Adult contemporary music, frequently abbreviated AC, refers to styles of popular music that ranges from "lush Sixties pop often vocal -based and rooted in As the ages of its members increased, the Temptations' live shows have focused on less intricate choreography, although dancing remains an important aspect of the group's act.
Legacy and influence
The Temptations, with their tailored suits and detailed choreography, set the bar for male soul and R&B groups. Before the Temptations became popular, most black vocal groups were rough, high-energy acts with rawer vocals and more improvisational dance movements. Only a few performers, including contemporaries Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, and the Four Tops, showed the refined style that would be popularized by the Temptations. Sam Cooke ( January 22, 1931 &ndash December 11, 1964) was an American gospel, R&B, soul, and
Berry Gordy insisted his acts be equally appealing to white and black audiences, and employed a creative team to help tailor Motown talent for crossover success. Paul Williams and Motown choreographer Cholly Atkins created the Temptation's trademark precise and energetic, yet refined, dance steps. See also, Choreography (literally "dance-writing" from the Greek words "χορεία" (circular dance see chorea) and "γραφή" Charles “Cholly” Atkins ( September 13 1913 - April 19 2003) was an American Dancer and Vaudeville performer who The most famous of these, the "Temptation Walk", or "Temptation Strut", was adapted from similar moves by the Flamingoes and the Vibrations. The Flamingos were a Doo wop group from the United States, most popular in the mid to late 1950s. From those two sources, Paul Williams crafted the group's signature dance routine.
Motown, like other independent companies, was not a member of ASCAP or BMI, preferring to stay independent and handling their own widely varied distribution through thousands of "Mom & Pop" record stores and small radio stations. The American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers ( ASCAP) is a non-profit Performance rights organization that protects its Broadcast Music Incorporated ( BMI) is a US Performing rights organization. Many singles that might have been charted higher did not have the data for the Billboard charts to evaluate, so it is quite possible that the Temptations probably sold more than a "Gold Record" number of most of their early records. The Billboard charts are music sales airplay and digital ranking reports distributed to the general public by Billboard magazine Their stage work and lead singer depth made them legends throughout the northern cities and the southern "chitlin' circuit", and were acknowledged by most radio disc jockeys as the strongest group around. The " chitlin' circuit " was the collective name given to the string of performance venues throughout the eastern and southern United States that were safe and acceptable A disc jockey (also known as DJ or deejay) is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience
During the 1960s and 1970s, a number of soul groups showed significant influence from the Temptations, among them the Delfonics, the Chi-Lites, George Clinton's original Parliaments, the Dramatics, and Motown labelmates the Jackson Five and The Undisputed Truth. The Delfonics are a Philadelphia soul singing group most popular in the late 1960s and early 1970s The Chi-Lites (pronounced "SHY-lights" in IPA, ˈʃaɪlaɪts are a Chicago -based smooth soul Vocal group, best known for their worldwide The Parliaments were a Doo-wop Quintet from Plainfield New Jersey, formed in the back room of a barbershop in the late 1950s and named after the cigarette The Dramatics (formerly The Dynamics) are a Soul music Vocal group, formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1962 The Jackson 5 (also spelled The Jackson Five or The Jackson 5ive, and later known as The Jacksons) was an American popular music Family These acts, and others, showed the influence of the Temptations in both their vocal performances and their onstage choreography. Several more recent soul and R&B vocal groups, including the Johnny Gill-led version of New Edition, Jodeci, BLACKstreet, Dru Hill, and, most notably, 1990s Motown act Boyz II Men, also showed significant influence from the Temptations. Johnny Gill (born May 22, 1966 in Washington DC) is an R&B singer best known for his romantic ballads and as a member of New Edition New Edition is an American R&B / Pop group formed in Boston Massachusetts in 1978 that was most popular during the 1980s Jodeci is an American Musical group whose repertoire includes R&B, Soul music, and New jack swing. BLACKstreet is an American R&B group founded in 1992 by Teddy Riley, the inventor of New Jack Swing known for his work as a member of Guy. Dru Hill is an American singing group most popular during the late 1990s whose repertoire included R&B, soul, and Gospel music Boyz II Men is a four-time Grammy Award -winning American R&B / soul singing group from Philadelphia Pennsylvania. It is interesting to note that during the early part of their career, their main competition came from Curtis Mayfield's Impressions, then during the phase where they alternated leads, the Chi-Lites, and in their next phase, the O'Jays. The Impressions are an American Music group from Chicago, originally formed in 1958 The O'Jays are a Philadelphia soul group originally consisting of Walter Williams (born August 25, 1942) Bill Isles Bobby Massey William Powell In each case, each group alternated between love songs and songs with messages in their lyrics.
Temptations songs have been covered by scores of musicians, from R&B singers such as Luther Vandross ("Since I Lost My Baby"), to pop vocalists such as Bette Midler ("Just My Imagination"), to rock bands such as Rare Earth ("Get Ready"), Love and rockets, Duran Duran ("Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today") and the Rolling Stones ("Ain't Too Proud to Beg") and Mick Jagger's collaboration with reggae artist Peter Tosh on ("Don't Look Back"). Luther Ronzoni Vandross ( April 20 1951 – July 1 2005) was an American R&B and soul Singer-songwriter Bette Midler (born December 1, 1945) is anAmerican Singer, Actress and Comedian, also known (as her informal stage name as Rare Earth is an American Rock band affiliated with Motown 's Rare Earth Record label (which was named after the band who were particularly Duran Duran are an English Pop rock band famous for a long series of popular singles, albums and vivid Music videos for which they've won two Peter Tosh, born Winston Hubert McIntosh ( October 19 1944 &ndash September 11 1987) was a a Reggae musician who was In 1991, British singer Rod Stewart collaborated with the Temptations on the single "The Motown Song". See also Kingdom of Great Britain Great Britain (Breatainn Mhòr Prydain Fawr Breten Veur Graet Breetain is the larger of the two main islands Roderick "Rod" David Stewart, CBE (born 10 January 1945 is a Singer and Songwriter born and raised in London England and currently
The lives and careers of The Temptations were one of several inspirations for Robert Townsend's 1991 film about a 1960s Motown-esque male group, The Five Heartbeats. There have been several well-known people known as Robert Townsend, including Robert Townsend (Captain (1819-1866 US Navy Civil War era Ship captain The Five Heartbeats is a drama / Musical film written and directed by Robert Townsend along with Keenan Ivory Wayans and distributed
In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked The Temptations #45 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. Rolling Stone is a United States -based Magazine devoted to Music, Politics, and Popular culture that is published [38]
Personnel
- For a detailed listing of the various versions of The Temptations (and a timeline), see: Temptations chronology. __NOEDITSECTION__ This page is a chronology of the Motown singing group The Temptations.
The Primes
aka The Cavaliers
- Paul Williams (1955–1960)
- Eddie Kendricks (1955–1960)
- Kel Osbourne (1955–1960)
- Wiley Waller (1955–1957)
The Distants
aka Otis Williams & the Distants, Otis Williams & the Siberians and The El Domingoes
- Otis Williams (1958–1960)
- Elbridge "Al" Bryant (1958–1960)
- James "Pee-Wee" Crawford (1958–1959)
- Vernard Plain (1958–1959)
- Arthur Walton (1958–1959)
- Melvin Franklin (1959–1960)
- Richard Street (1959–1960)
- Albert "Mooch" Harrell (1959–1960)
The Temptations
aka The Elgins
- Otis Williams (1960–present)
- Elbridge "Al" Bryant (1960–1963)
- Melvin Franklin (1960–1995)
- Eddie Kendricks (1960–1971, 1982 reunion)
- Paul Williams (1960–1971)
- David Ruffin (1964–1968, 1982 reunion)
- Dennis Edwards (1968–1977, 1980–1984, 1987–1989)
- Ricky Owens (1971)
- Richard Street (1971–1992)
- Damon Harris (1971–1975)
- Glenn Leonard (1975–1983)
- Louis Price (1977–1980)
- Ron Tyson (1983–present)
- Ali-Ollie Woodson (1984–1987, 1989–1997)
- Theo Peoples (1992–1998)
- Ray Davis (1994–1995)
- Harry McGilberry (1995–2003)
- Terry Weeks (1997–present)
- Barrington "Bo" Henderson (1998–2003)
- G.C. Cameron (2003–2007)
- Joe Herndon (2003–present)
- Bruce Williamson (2007-present)
Discography
- For a detailed listing of albums and singles, see: Temptations discography. Paul Williams ( July 2, 1939 – August 17, 1973) was an American second Tenor / Baritone Singer Eddie Kendricks (born Edward James Kendrick, December 17, 1939 – October 5, 1992) was an American Singer and Otis Williams (born October 30, 1941) is an American second Tenor / Baritone. Elbridge "Al" Bryant ( September 28 1939 - October 26 1975) was an African American Melvin Franklin (born David Melvin English October 12 1942 &ndash February 23 1995) was an American bass Singer Richard Street (born Richard Allen Street October 5 1942 in Detroit Michigan) is an American soul and R&B Singer David Ruffin (Davis Eli Ruffin ( January 18, 1941 &ndash June 1, 1991) was an American soul singer most famous for his work Dennis Edwards (born February 3, 1943) is an American soul and R&B singer most noted for being one of Motown act Ricky Owens (born Richard Edgar Owens in St Louis Missouri) ( April 24, 1939 - December 6, 1996) was an American Richard Street (born Richard Allen Street October 5 1942 in Detroit Michigan) is an American soul and R&B Singer Damon Harris (born Otis Robert Harris Jr on July 17 1950 in Baltimore Maryland) is an African-American soul and Glenn Carl Leonard (born June 11, 1947 in Washington DC) is an American R&B and Soul Louis Bernhardt Price (born March 29, 1953) is an American R&B, Soul singer and Actor notable for being the lead singer Ron Tyson (born February 8 1948) is an American Tenor / Falsetto Singer and Songwriter. Ali-Ollie Woodson (born Ollie Creggett on September 12, 1951 in Detroit Michigan) is an American R&B Singer Theo Peoples is an African-American R&B / soul singer The son of a Preacher, he was discovered by Ron Tyson and tapped to replace Raymond "Ray" Davis (born March 29, 1940, in Sumter South Carolina - died July 5, 2005, New Brunswick New Jersey Harry McGilberry (born Harry McGilberry Jr in Philadelphia Pennsylvania) ( January 19, 1950 - April 3, 2006) was an Terry Wayne Weeks (born December 23, 1963) is an American R&B and Soul singer who is currently one of the lead singers of the legendary Barrington Scott "Bo" Henderson (born June 10, 1956 in Washington Pennsylvania) is an African-American R&B singer George Curtis "GC" Cameron (born September 21 1945 In Jackson Mississippi) is an American soul and R&B singer Joe Herndon (born January 5, 1949) is an American R&B and Soul singer former bass singer of a version of doo-wop group The Spaniels
U. S. and U. K. Top Ten singles
The following singles reached the Top Ten of either the United States pop singles chart or the United Kingdom pop singles chart. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Also included are the singles that hit #1 on the US R&B charts.
| Year | Song title | US Top 10 | UK Top 10 | R&B No. 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1965: | "My Girl" | 1 | - | 1 |
| 1966: | "Get Ready" | 29 | 10 | 1 |
| 1966: | "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" | 13 | - | 1 |
| 1966: | "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep" | 3 | - | 1 |
| 1967: | "(I Know) I'm Losing You" | 8 | - | 1 |
| 1967: | "All I Need" | 8 | - | - |
| 1967: | "You're My Everything" | 6 | - | - |
| 1968: | "I Wish It Would Rain" | 4 | - | 1 |
| 1968: | "I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)" | - | - | 1 |
| 1968 | "Cloud Nine" | 6 | - | - |
| 1968: | "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" (Diana Ross & the Supremes and the Temptations) | 2 | 2 | - |
| 1969: | "Run Away Child, Running Wild" | 6 | - | 1 |
| 1969: | "I Can't Get Next to You" | 1 | - | 1 |
| 1970: | "Psychedelic Shack" | 7 | - | - |
| 1970: | "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)" | 3 | 7 | - |
| 1971: | "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" | 1 | 8 | 1 |
| 1972: | "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" | 1 | - | - |
| 1973: | "Masterpiece" | 7 | - | 1 |
| 1973: | "Let Your Hair Down" | - | - | 1 |
| 1974: | "Happy People" | - | - | 1 |
| 1975: | "Shakey Ground" | - | - | 1 |
| 1991: | "The Motown Song" (Rod Stewart featuring The Temptations) | 10 | - | - |
| 1992: | "My Girl" (reissue) | - | 2 | - |
Top Ten albums
The following albums reached the Top Ten on either the United States pop albums chart or the United Kingdom pop albums chart. " My Girl " released December 21 1964, is a 1965 number-one single recorded by The Temptations for the Gordy ( Motown) label For other uses see Get Ready (disambiguation. "Get Ready" is a Motown song written by Smokey Robinson, which resulted in two " Ain't Too Proud to Beg " is a 1966 hit single by The Temptations for Motown Records ' Gordy label produced by Norman Whitfield and written " Beauty Is Only Skin Deep " is a 1966 hit single recorded by The Temptations for the Gordy ( Motown) label " I Wish It Would Rain " released December 21, 1967, is a 1968 hit single recorded by The Temptations for the Gordy ( Motown "I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You" is a single recorded by The Temptations and released on Motown Records ' Gordy label during the spring "Cloud Nine" is a 1968 hit single recorded by The Temptations for the Motown label " I'm Gonna Make You Love Me " is a soul song written in 1967 by Kenneth Gamble Leon Huff, and Jerry Ross The Supremes were an American female singing group that first formed as a quartet called The Primettes "Runaway Child Running Wild" (the song was called " Run Away Child Running Wild " on the label of the original single is a 1969 hit single " I Can't Get Next to You " is a 1969 number-one single recorded by The Temptations and produced by Norman Whitfield for the Gordy ( Motown "Psychedelic Shack", released December 28, 1969, is a 1970 hit single for the Motown label performed by The Temptations and produced " Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today " is a 1970 hit single for the Gordy ( Motown) label recorded by The Temptations and produced " Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me " is a 1971 US number-one hit single released on the Gordy ( Motown) label recorded by The Temptations and " Papa Was a Rollin' Stone " is a soul song written by Motown Songwriters Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong as a single Roderick "Rod" David Stewart, CBE (born 10 January 1945 is a Singer and Songwriter born and raised in London England and currently " My Girl " released December 21 1964, is a 1965 number-one single recorded by The Temptations for the Gordy ( Motown) label
- 1966: Greatest Hits (US #5)
- 1967: Temptations Live! (US #10)
- 1967: The Temptations with a Lot o' Soul (US #7)
- 1968: Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations (with Diana Ross & The Supremes) (US #2)
- 1968: TCB (with Diana Ross & The Supremes) (US #1)
- 1969: Cloud Nine (US #4)
- 1969: Puzzle People (US #5)
- 1970: Psychedelic Shack (US #9)
- 1972: All Directions (US #2)
- 1973: Masterpiece (US #7)
Filmography
- 1973: Save the Children
- 1987: Happy New Year
Television work
- 1985: The Fall Guy (TV episode "Rockabye Baby", February 13, 1985)
- 1985: The Love Boat (TV episode "Your Money or Your Wife/Joint Custody/The Temptations", October 5, 1985)
- 1986: Moonlighting (TV episode "Symphony in Knocked Flat", October 21, 1986)
- 1986: 227 (TV episode "Temptations", November 15, 1986)
- 1990: Murphy Brown (TV episode "Goin' to the Chapel, Part 2", May 21, 1990)
- 1990: performed CBS network's 1990-91 version of their Get Ready campaign with an updated version of "Get Ready". Greatest Hits is a 1966 Greatest hits album for The Temptations, released by the Gordy ( Motown) label Temptations Live! was the first live album to be released by The Temptations. The Temptations with a Lot 'o Soul is a 1967 album by The Temptations for the Gordy ( Motown) label Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations is as the title implies a collaborative album combining Motown 's two best selling groups Diana Ross & the The Supremes were an American female singing group that first formed as a quartet called The Primettes TCB was a 1968 Television special produced by Motown Productions and George Schlatter - Ed Friendly Productions (of Laugh-In The Supremes were an American female singing group that first formed as a quartet called The Primettes Cloud Nine is a 1969 album by The Temptations for the Gordy ( Motown) label Puzzle People is a 1969 album recorded by The Temptations for the Gordy ( Motown) label Psychedelic Shack is a 1970 album by The Temptations for the Gordy ( Motown) label which represents the Temptations' full-blown submergence into psychedelia All Directions is a 1972 album by The Temptations for the Gordy ( Motown) label produced by Norman Whitfield. Masterpiece is a 1973 album by The Temptations for the Gordy ( Motown) label entirely written and produced by Norman Whitfield. Save the Children is a leading international organisation helping children in need around the world The Fall Guy is an American Television program produced for ABC and originally broadcast from 1981 to 1986. Events 1258 - Baghdad falls to the Mongols, and the Abbasid Caliphate is destroyed Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) The Love Boat (simply Love Boat in its final season is an American Television series set on a Cruise ship, which Events 869 - The Fourth Council of Constantinople is convened to decide about what to do about Patriarch Photius of Constantinople Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) Moonlighting is an American Television series that first aired on ABC from 1985 to 1989 with a total of 67 episodes Events 1512 - Martin Luther joins the theological faculty of the University of Wittenberg. Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) 227 is an American Situation comedy that originally aired on NBC from September 14, 1985 until May 6, Events 655 - Battle of Winwaed: Penda of Mercia is defeated by Oswiu of Northumbria. Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) Murphy Brown is an American Situation comedy which aired on CBS from November 14, 1988 to May 18, 1998 Events 878 - Syracuse Italy is captured by the Muslim sultan of Sicily. Year 1990 ( MCMXC) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1990 Gregorian calendar) CBS Broadcasting Inc ( CBS) is an American radio and Television network.
- 1993: Getting By (TV episode "Reach for the Stars", November 23, 1993)
- 1996: New York Undercover (TV episode "Deep Cover", May 2, 1996)
- 2008: Friday Night with Jonathan Ross (TV appearance), March 7, 2008
Video and DVD releases
- 1991: The Temptations - Live in Concert
- 2004: 20th century Masters - The Best of the Temptations
- 2006: Get Ready: Definitive Performances - 1965-1972
- 2007: The Temptations - Live In London (1987)
See also
Notes
- ^ Graff, Gary (1988-08-29). Getting By is a short-lived American sitcom produced by Thomas L Events 800 - Charlemagne arrives at Rome to investigate the alleged crimes of Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar) New York Undercover is a one-hour police drama that ran on the FOX network from 1994 to 1998. Events 1194 - King Richard I of England gives Portsmouth its first Royal Charter. Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) Friday Night with Jonathan Ross is a Chat show presented by Jonathan Ross. Events 161 - Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius dies and is succeeded by co-Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common When adding to this page please ensure that your claims are sourced Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) Events 708 - Copper coins are minted in Japan for the first time (Traditional Japanese date: August 10, 708) The Temptations: Otis tells the group's tale. Detroit Free Press. Online version available from Internet Archive at [1]
- ^ (2005). The Internet Archive ( IA) is a Nonprofit organization dedicated to maintaining an on-line Library and archive of Web and "The Temptations". Memorabletv. com. Retrieved on 2005-11-05. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1499 - Publication of the Catholicon in Treguier ( Brittany)
- ^ (2003). "The Temptations". ClassicMotown. com. Retrieved on 2005-11-05. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1499 - Publication of the Catholicon in Treguier ( Brittany)
- ^ (2005) Ankeny, Jason. "The Temptations". Allmusic.com. allmusic (previously All Music Guide) is a Metadata database about music owned by All Media Guide. Retrieved on 2005-11-05. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1499 - Publication of the Catholicon in Treguier ( Brittany)
- ^ a b c Hardin, Ritchie (July 17, 2004). Events 180 - Twelve inhabitants of Scillium in North Africa are executed for being Christians "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " The Tangled History of The Temptations. The Ritchie Hardin Network. Retrieved on 2007-02-09. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 474 - Zeno crowned as co-emperor of the Byzantine Empire.
- ^ Williams and Romanowski (1988), pp. 26-30.
- ^ Williams and Romanowski (1988), pp. 18-19.
- ^ a b Williams and Romanowski (1988), pp. 26-30.
- ^ a b c d e f Williams and Romanowski (1988), pp. 32-38.
- ^ Williams and Romanowski (1988), pp. 40.
- ^ Williams and Romanowski (1988), pp. 30, 40-41.
- ^ Williams and Romanowski (1988), pp. 9, 32.
- ^ Williams and Romanowski (1988), pp. 68-70.
- ^ Williams and Romanowski, (2002) pp. 170-171
- ^ Williams and Romanowski, (2002), p. 172
- ^ Williams and Romanowski, (2002), pp. 249, 259
- ^ a b Williams and Romanowski, (2002), p. 177
- ^ Williams and Romanowski, (2002), p. 183
- ^ Williams and Romanowski, (2002), pp. 178-182
- ^ a b Williams and Romanowski, (2002), pp. 193-197
- ^ Ray Davis-The Original P Interview
- ^ http://www.otiswilliams.net/history.aspx
- ^ Welcome to Glicker & Associates
- ^ Various Photos. The Temptations Photo Gallery. Retrieved on 2007-02-06. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar defeats the combined army of Pompeian followers and Numidians under Metellus Scipio
- ^ 2005-11-28. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. For the town in Argentina, see 28 de Noviembre. Events "Temptations Record 15 Classics for Reflections". Universal Records press release, Retrieved on 2005-12-03. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1800 - War of the Second Coalition: Battle of Hohenlinden, French
- ^ GC Cameron's WHCR 90.3FM June 8, 2007 Interview with Maurice Watts
- ^ Amazon.com: Back to Front: The Temptations: Music
- ^ Amazon.com: Papa Was a Rolling Stone: The Temptations: Music
- ^ MySpace
- ^ [2]
- ^ Dennis Edwards and the Temptations Review Message Board - Photos
- ^ http://www.keyofgee.com/bernard_gibson
- ^ http://threetierentertainment.com/content/view/22/36/
- ^ http://www.mauricewattsfanclub.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=4198
- ^ (2004). Glenn Leonard bio. Voice Booking Agency. Retrieved on 2006-11-18. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 326 - The old St Peter's Basilica is consecrated 1302 - Pope Boniface VIII issues the Papal bull Notice Joe Herndon, top right.
- ^ [3]
- ^ Original Temptation Ain't Too Proud to Sue - TMZ.com - Entertainment News, Celebrity Gossip and Hollywood Rumors
- ^ The Immortals: The First Fifty. Rolling Stone Issue 946. Rolling Stone. Retrieved on 2007-02-05. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1576 - Henry of Navarre converts to Roman Catholicism in order to ensure his right to the throne of France.
References
- George, Nelson. "Cool as They Wanna Be". The Temptations: Emperors of Soul [CD Box Set]. New York: Motown Record Co. , L. P.
- Posner, Gerald (2002). Motown : Music, Money, Sex, and Power. New York: Random House. ISBN 0-375-50062-6.
- Teegardin, Carol (April 6, 1986). Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar defeats Caecilius Metellus Scipio and Marcus Porcius Cato in the Battle of Thapsus Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) Eddie Kendrick: once again, he's doing fine on cloud nine. Detroit Free Press.
- Weinger, Harry (1994). "Sunshine on a Cloudy Day". The Temptations: Emperors of Soul [CD Box Set]. New York: Motown Record Co. , L. P.
- Williams, Otis and Romanowski, Patricia (1988, updated 2002). Otis Williams (born October 30, 1941) is an American second Tenor / Baritone. Temptations. Lanham, MD: Cooper Square. ISBN 0-8154-1218-5.
Further reading
- George, Nelson (1985, rev. 2003). Where Did Our Love Go: The Rise and Fall of the Motown. London: Omnibus Press. ISBN 0-7119-9511-7.
External links
- The Temptations at Allmusic
- Otis Williams' official website (includes current tour schedule)
- Ron Tyson's official website
- Official Motown/Universal Website for The Temptations
- Classic Temptations page at Classic Motown website
- 'The Temptations' Vocal Group Hall of Fame Page
- SoulTracks group biography and chart of past group members
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