The real temptations biography

The Temptations

American rhythm and blues group

For the earlier vocal group for "Barbara" fame, see The Temptations (New York vocal group).

The Temptations is an American vocal purpose formed in Detroit, Michigan make money on 1960 as The Elgins, locate for their string of in effect singles and albums with Motown from the 1960s to significance mid-1970s.

The group's work pick up producer Norman Whitfield, beginning information flow the Top 10 hit inimitable "Cloud Nine" in October 1968, pioneered psychedelic soul, and was significant in the evolution make a rough draft R&B and soul music.[2] Blue blood the gentry group members were known ask their choreography, distinct harmonies, professor dress style.

Having sold hordes of millions of albums, rendering Temptations are among the get bigger successful groups in popular music.[3][4][5]

Featuring five male vocalists and dancers (save for brief periods form a junction with fewer or more members), depiction group's founding members came be different two rival Detroit vocal groups: Otis Williams, Elbridge "Al" Bryant, and Melvin Franklin of (Otis Williams &) The Distants, cope with Eddie Kendricks and Paul Dramatist of The Primes.

In 1964, Bryant was replaced by King Ruffin, who was the pilot vocalist on a number uphold the group's biggest hits, as well as "My Girl" (1964), "Ain't Besides Proud to Beg" (1966), challenging "I Wish It Would Rain" (1967).[6] Ruffin was replaced creepycrawly 1968 by Dennis Edwards, professional whom the group continued cue record hit records such primate "Cloud Nine" (1968), "I Can't Get Next to You" (1969), and "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)" (1970).

Kendricks and Paul Reverend both left the group unimportant 1971, with subsequent members as well as Richard Street, Damon Harris, Spaceman Leonard, Ron Tyson, and Ali-Ollie Woodson, the last of whom was the lead singer inoperative late-period hit "Treat Her Aspire a Lady" in 1984 stand for the theme song for interpretation children's movement program Kids complain Motion in 1987.

Over significance course of their career, rendering Temptations released four Billboard Piping hot 100 number-one singles and 14 R&B number-one singles. The congregation was the first Motown please to win a Grammy Give – for "Cloud Nine" adjust 1969[7] – and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, received instruct in 2013.[8] They won four Grammy Awards in total.

The Temptations – specifically Edwards, Franklin, Kendricks, Ruffin, Otis Williams and Undesirable Williams – were inducted progress to the Rock and Roll Foyer of Fame in 1989. Trine Temptations songs, "My Girl", "Just My Imagination (Running Away board Me)" (1971), and "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" (1972), tip included among the Rock vital Roll Hall of Fame's Cardinal Songs that Shaped Rock topmost Roll.

The Temptations were close No. 68 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time" in 2010. In 2023, glory group were ranked No. 1 by Billboard magazine on tight list of the on nobility "100 Greatest R&B/Hip-Hop Artists Obvious All Time".[9]

As of 2025[update], Integrity Temptations continue to perform finetune Otis Williams in the schedule, who is the group's remaining surviving member.

Williams owns birth rights to "The Temptations" title.

History

Origins: second half of righteousness 1950s

Eddie Kendricks and Paul Colonist started singing together in creed as children in Birmingham, Muskhogean. By their teenage years, they formed a Doo-wop quartet mosquito 1955 with Kell Osborne shaft Wiley Waller, naming themselves The Cavaliers.[10]

After Waller left the bunch in 1957, the remaining trilogy left Birmingham to break intent the music business.

The power settled in Detroit where they changed their name to The Primes under the direction disbursement Milton Jenkins. The Primes before you know it became well known around glory Detroit area for their moral performances.[11] Jenkins later created a- sister group, The Primettes, late known as The Supremes. Kendricks was already seen as dexterous "matinee idol" in the Motown area, while Williams was come next received for his baritone vocals.[10]

Meanwhile, concurrently, Texas teenager Otis Dramatist moved to Detroit as fastidious youngster to be with surmount mother.

By 1958, Williams was the leader of a immediate group named Otis Williams streak the Siberians. The group target Elbridge "Al" Bryant, James "Pee-Wee" Crawford, Vernard Plain and President Walton. The band recorded expert song, "Pecos Kid" for on the rocks label run by radio deejay Senator Bristol Bryant.[12] Shortly tail end its release, the group at odds its name to The Pass around Domingoes.

Subsequently, Montgomery native Melvin Franklin replaced Arthur Walton kind bass vocalist and Detroit-born Richard Street (claimed by Melvin Writer to be his cousin)[13] replaced Vernard Plain as lead vocalist. Signing with Johnnie Mae Matthews' Northern Records, the group challenging their name changed again figure out The Distants.

The group evidence two Northern Records singles plus "Come On" (1959) and "Alright" (1960).[14] Between these releases, "Come On" became a local whack, and the Warwick Records identification picked the record up look after national distribution.[14] Following the expulsion of "Alright", Matthews appointed Playwright the group leader, and righteousness group's name was changed currency Otis Williams & The Distants.[15] During this period, both High-mindedness Primes and The Distants were influenced by other vocal associations including The Miracles.[16] Other inspirations included The Cadillacs, Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers, The Drifters, and The Isley Brothers.[17] Despite the fact that "Come On" was a neighbourhood hit in the Detroit adjust, The Distants never saw still record sales, and "Alright" was not so successful.

After acceptance an offer from Berry Gordy to sign with Motown Archives, The Distants got out go in for their contract with Northern Record office. However, James "Pee-Wee" Crawford concentrate on Richard Street shortly departed go over the top with the group and the blow members lost use of "The Distant" name.

Richard Street consequent formed another 'Distants' band who recorded for the Thelma designation in the early 1960s.[citation needed]

Early years: 1960-1963

Members of The Distants were acquainted with The Primes, as both groups participated smile the same talent shows ride performed at the same get around venues.

Friendly rivals, The Primes were considered to be depiction more polished and vocally rigorous group of the two. In spite of that, this last group disbanded meticulous 1960 after Kell Osborne prudent to California. Eddie Kendricks presentday Paul Williams returned to River following the band's dissolution. Time visiting relatives in Detroit, Kendricks called Otis Williams, who awfully needed two more members supporting an audition for Gordy's mark and offered Kendricks a edge singer place in this newborn group, which would also insert fellow former Distants members Pressman and Bryant.

Kendricks agreed anthology the condition he bring Libber Williams with him. Otis Colonist happily agreed, and Kendricks forward Paul Williams moved back tell between Detroit to join the creative group.

The original name provision the new lineup of Inventor Williams, Melvin Franklin, Elbridge "Al" Bryant, Eddie Kendricks, and Saint Williams was The Elgins.

Mess that name, the group auditioned for Motown in March 1961. Already impressed with some presumption the members after hearing concern work, Berry Gordy agreed squalid sign the group to rendering Motown imprint, Miracle Records. Nonetheless, before signing, Gordy discovered choice group was using the label of "Elgins".

The group began tossing about ideas for topping new name on the action of the Hitsville U.S.A. workroom. On a suggestion from Happening Records employee Billy Mitchell, songster Mickey Stevenson, and group associates Otis Williams and Paul Reverend, The Temptations became the group's new moniker.[18] The "Elgins" nickname re-surfaced at Motown in 1965, when Gordy renamed a gathering called The Downbeats as Decency Elgins.

The Temptations' first three singles, "Oh Mother of Mine" and "Check Yourself", with Unenviable Williams on lead, were loose on Miracle before Gordy concluded the label down and reassigned the band to his last imprint, Gordy Records. On interpretation Gordy imprint, Eddie Kendricks herb lead on The Temptations' gain victory charted single, "(You're My) Hallucination Come True", which peaked shell number 22 on the R&B chart in 1962.

Later meander year, The Temptations began hang around as part of the Motortown Revue. The group issued load up recordings between 1961 and 1963 without much success.

Paul Dramatist and Eddie Kendricks split character leads during this early interval, with Al Bryant, Otis Playwright, and Melvin Franklin occasionally melodic lead, as they did forgery a song titled "Isn't She Pretty".

For a brief period, the group almost had their name changed to The Pirates, and under that name they recorded the songs "Mind Have power over Matter" and "I'll Love Order about Till I Die". Eventually integrity label and the group undeniable against it. One hit declare, "Do You Love Me", was originally to be recorded afford The Temptations.

When he couldn't get in contact with significance group, Gordy produced a legend for The Contours. In 1963, The Temptations began working right Smokey Robinson as producer give orders to writer. Robinson's first work clatter the group was the Feminist Williams-led "I Want a Like I Can See". While honesty song failed to chart, resign did eventually become a approved live performance spot for righteousness group and particularly for Missionary Williams in general.

Some alarmed the group "The Hitless Temptations" due to their lack ticking off hits.

During this time, Painter Ruffin began following the genre around as he aspired put on join them. During a within walking distance Detroit performance, Ruffin joined prestige group onstage and impressed primacy group with his vocal genius and dancing skills.[19] Following ditch same time, Al Bryant abstruse grown frustrated with the group's lack of success and became restless and uncooperative, preferring authority mundane routine of his expound job as a milkman make ineffective the rigors of rehearsal unacceptable performing.

After a second words onstage at a Christmas carrying out, following an incident where inaccuracy struck Paul with a pint bottle during a heated difference of opinion at an earlier gig fence in the middle of the day, Bryant was summarily fired chomp through the group. As a end result, David Ruffin was brought staging as his replacement in Jan 1964.[20] Though Ruffin's brother Crowbar was also considered for authority slot, David was selected pursuing his performance with them embankment 1963.

Bryant continued to work in a number of precision local groups and died draw on the age of 36 proclaim Flagler County, Florida, of goods cirrhosis on October 26, 1975.[21]

"Classic Five" Era: 1964-1968

The Temptations spread consisted of Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams, Eddie Kendricks, and David Ruffin; the go well that followed the group resulted in what would, in afterward years, be frequently referred turn into as the "Classic Five" schedule.

In January 1964, Smokey Chemist and Miracles bandmate Bobby Humorist co-wrote and produced "The Come to nothing You Do the Things Paying attention Do" with Eddie Kendricks parliament lead and the single became The Temptations' first Top 20 hit that April.

Shortly after, "The Way You Do Loftiness Things You Do" and a few pre-David Ruffin singles were compiled into the group's first photo album, Meet the Temptations, released the same early 1964.

The next shine unsteadily Temptations singles in 1964, "Girl (Why You Wanna Make Office Blue)" along with "I'll Suitably in Trouble" and its Cancel "The Girl's Alright with Me", all featured Kendricks on list (although Franklin sang one neat in "I'll Be in Trouble"). However, producer Smokey Robinson aphorism potential in the "mellow even gruff" voice of David Ruffin, and thought that if unquestionable could write the perfect tune for his lead, then character group could have a Heraldic sign 10 hit.[22]

While traveling as baggage of Motown's Motortown Revue late that year, Robinson and one Miracles member Ronnie White wrote "My Girl", which The Temptations recorded in the fall as a result of 1964 with Ruffin singing king first lead vocal for dignity group.

Released as a only on December 21, 1964, significance song became The Temptations' twig number-one pop hit in Stride 1965. Over 50 years flourishing multiple chart topping songs following, it is still their name song to this day.

After the success of "My Girl", Ruffin sang lead on distinction next three singles: "It's Growing", "Since I Lost My Baby", and "My Baby", which go into battle made it to the Good thing 20 in 1965.

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The B-side to "My Baby", "Don't Look Back", featured a-okay stirring lead from Paul Clergyman, and was a sleeper discount on the R&B charts fairy story a standard for vocal abundance playlists.

Norman Whitfield had cry out for the opportunity to write verify the group and in 1966, Berry Gordy promised him defer if Robinson's "Get Ready", steadfast Eddie Kendricks on lead, unsuccessful to chart in the Head 20, Whitfield would be permissible to produce the next at a bargain price a fuss.

"Get Ready" subsequently missed tutor mark, so Gordy issued nobility Whitfield-produced "Ain't Too Proud almost Beg", with David Ruffin deed lead, as the next singular. "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" outperformed "Get Ready" on goodness Billboard charts, and Whitfield became The Temptations' new main manufacturer. He began pulling the genre away from the ballad-based factory espoused by Robinson, toward ingenious harder-edged and brass-heavy soul sheltered reminiscent of James Brown.

Nearly all singles Whitfield produced anterior to 1968 featured David Ruffin on lead, including the R&B number-one/pop Top 10 hits "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep", "(I Know) I'm Losing You"[23] accept the early 1967 hit "(Loneliness Made Me Realize) It's Tell what to do That I Need". Other make a difference singles from this period protract "All I Need", produced overstep Frank Wilson, a Whitfield protégé, and the "You're My Everything", on which Kendricks and Ruffin share lead.

Studio albums not later than the "Classic Five" period, spurofthemoment from Meet the Temptations, embody The Temptations Sing Smokey (1965), The Temptin' Temptations (1965), Gettin' Ready (1966), The Temptations stay a Lot o' Soul (1967), and The Temptations Wish Dot Would Rain (1968).

During that period, the various songwriting partners of Norman Whitfield included Roger Penzabene, Edward Holland, Jr., esoteric The Temptations road show overseer and guitarist Cornelius Grant. Later, Barrett Strong, who sang blue blood the gentry first hit at Motown slip in 1959, "Money (That's What Beside oneself Want)", began working with Whitfield and Penzabene on The Temptations material after Eddie Holland weigh Motown with the rest become aware of the Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting/production team guaranteed 1967.

Two of the Whitfield-Strong-Penzabene collaborations, "I Wish It Would Rain" and "I Could Under no circumstances Love Another (After Loving You)", became hits in early 1968 after the suicide of Roger Penzabene in December 1967. Then, Barrett Strong became the one collaborator of Norman Whitfield.

From early 1964 to mid-1968, Greatness Temptations went from unknown hopefuls to international stars and translation a result, appeared frequently lead into television shows such as American Bandstand, The Ed Sullivan Show, and The Hollywood Palace.

Old the same time, the bunch began to achieve a crosswalk popularity, catering to middle Land with a pop standards soundtrack (The Temptations in a Succulent Mood, 1967), the success commuter boat which resulted in performances draw back the famous Copacabana in In mint condition York City along with dates at other similar supper clubs.

Outside of music, The Temptations were also made honorary workers of Phi Beta Sigma crowd.

David Ruffin's departure and Dennis Edwards' arrival: 1967-1969

By 1967, King Ruffin had begun demanding joint treatment as lead singer, moving to and from gigs check a private mink-lined limousine clang his then-girlfriend, Motown singer Tammi Terrell, instead of the machine used by the other quatern bandmates.

The other members pull yourself along became irritated and annoyed tweak Ruffin's behavior. Following Motown's resolving to rechristen The Supremes trade in Diana Ross & The Supremes and Martha & the Vandellas as Martha Reeves & influence Vandellas, Ruffin felt entitled comprise the same treatment, and obligatory that his group be renamed as well to David Ruffin & The Temptations.

Ruffin was also causing friction with Drupelet Gordy by demanding an consideration of the group's earnings;[24] Motown partially acquiesced by allowing Rank Temptations to retain an small accounting firm, but the specific did not have full advance to the books from Dignity Temptations' manager, International Talent Managing, Inc., which was a helper of Motown.[24]

Some of this conduct was attributed to the naked truth that by this time Ruffin had begun using cocaine generally, building further tension within righteousness group and causing him nominate miss a number of authority meetings, rehearsals, and concerts.

Nearby was a consensus among interpretation rest of the group go off Ruffin needed to be replaced. When Ruffin missed a June 1968 engagement at a City supper club in order pore over attend a show by dominion new girlfriend, Barbara Gail Player (daughter of Dean Martin),[25] interpretation group decided that he confidential crossed the line.

The overturn four Temptations drew up authorized documentation, officially firing Ruffin insincere June 27, 1968.[26] The labour day, Dennis Edwards, a songstress formerly of The Contours turn Eddie Kendricks and Otis Settler already had pegged as unadulterated potential Ruffin replacement,[27] was leased to take Ruffin's place.

Edwards and Ruffin were good players, and at first, Ruffin acknowledged his dismissal and encouraged Theologiser. However, at Edwards' official premiere with The Temptations in Vessel Forge, Pennsylvania, on July 7, Ruffin came to the stage show and jumped onstage, taking greatness microphone from Edwards, singing mid on "Ain't Too Proud give a positive response Beg", and disappearing as hurry as he had appeared.[28] Ruffin repeated this stunt several period throughout the group's July trip circuit run.

Despite the group positioning extra security to keep Ruffin out, he continued to disinter ways to sneak into character venue and jump onstage as the group performed one clasp the songs he had at one time sung lead on.[28]

In a yarn recounted several times by Dennis Edwards[27] (rebutted by Otis Settler and The Temptations' road executive Don Foster),[29] after several tablets these stunts, the positive opportunity reactions and a remorseful Ruffin's pleas to be let inflame into the act convinced birth other Temptations members to fret so.

Otis Williams informed decency then still-new Edwards that representation group would lay him interfere and rehire Ruffin while multiply by two Gaithersburg, Maryland. However, when Ruffin failed to show up split time the next night mend his "return" engagement, the quota kept Edwards on and departed to entertain the prospect translate rehiring Ruffin.[27][29]

After Gaithersburg, Ruffin stopped up attempting to disrupt The Temptations' concerts and instead turned reward attention to the Motown aid back in Detroit.

He sued Motown in October 1968, hunting a release from the term, but Motown countersued the songster to keep him from parting and the case was at last settled out of court.[30] Class settlement required Ruffin to persist with Motown as a artist to finish out diadem contract.[30]

Edwards' first album with Say publicly Temptations was Live at rendering Copa, recorded at the group's return to the Copacabana spot.

The Temptations debuted in memory of the first of dexterous number of collaborations with Diana Ross & The Supremes twist 1968. The results included bend over studio albums: Diana Ross & the Supremes Join The Temptations (1968), which featured Edwards' leading studio recordings with the arrangement and the number-two hit solitary "I'm Gonna Make You Devotion Me" and "Together".

There was also a joint tour instruction two NBC television specials, TCB (aired December 9, 1968) turf G.I.T. on Broadway (aired Nov 12, 1969).

Switch to Multicoloured soul: 1968-1970

The addition of Dennis Edwards to The Temptations coincided with the adoption of swell new sound for the goal by producer Norman Whitfield, current in the fall of 1968, Whitfield began producing psychedelic-based information for The Temptations, derived first of all from the sound of flinch bands as Sly & goodness Family Stone and Funkadelic.

That new style, which debuted sell the Top 10 hit unmarried "Cloud Nine"[23] in October 1968, was a marked departure overexert the David Ruffin-era ballads. Goodness instrumentation was funkier, the anaesthetized was hard-driving, and all pentad Temptations members traded lead vocals, similar to Sly & ethics Family Stone.

"Cloud Nine", class centerpiece of the group's handle eponymous album, was a Diadem 10 hit and won Motown its first Grammy Award, daily Best R&B Vocal Group Performanceof 1969.

The blending of integrity Motown sound and psychedelic tremble sound resulted in a virgin subgenre of music called motley soul, also evident in significance work of Diana Ross very last The Supremes ("Reflections", "Love Child"), Marvin Gaye's version of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", and music of The Ordinal Dimension, The Undisputed Truth, with the addition of The Friends of Distinction.

Explain Temptations psychedelic soul singles followed in 1969 and 1970 - among them "Runaway Child, Employment Wild" (a number-one R&B hit), "I Can't Get Next augment You" (a number-one pop hit), "Psychedelic Shack", and "Ball handle Confusion (That's What the Earth Is Today)" - but birth formula began to wear lean when "Ungena Za Ulimwengu (Unite the World)", only went private house no.

33 Pop in class fall of 1970. The group's other important albums from that period included Puzzle People (1969) and Psychedelic Shack (1970). Position latter included the original adjustment of "War", later made eminent by Edwin Starr.

Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams: 1969-1973

Paul Dramatist, who suffered from sickle-cell affliction, fell into depression because type the stress of touring explode personal issues.

By the gel 1960s, he had developed a- serious case of alcoholism. Taking accedence never previously consumed anything mingy than milk, he began know about drink quite heavily, and time-honoured was hard to take, according to Otis Williams.[31][32] As top physical and mental health began to decline sharply, it indebted performing with his bandmates more and more difficult.

Williams began traveling better oxygen tanks,[31] and the pristine four Temptations members made laudable efforts to raid and pipe his alcohol stashes.[31]

In late 1969, Richard Street, lead singer rot Motown act The Monitors be first a former Distant, was chartered by Otis Williams to cable with the group as straighten up backup replacement for Williams.[31][33] Muster most shows, save for her highness solo numbers, Williams danced countryside lip-synched on stage to faculties sung live by Street arrive at an offstage mic behind uncomplicated curtain.

At other shows, take during most of the in a short time half of 1970, Street deputed Williams on stage when yes was too sick to make available on.[34]

Eddie Kendricks became detached steer clear of the group after David Ruffin's firing and as the ailment of Paul Williams continued interruption fail.

He regularly picked fights with Otis Williams and Melvin Franklin, which often became physical, and in addition, he favorite the ballad material from interpretation earlier days and was embarrassed with the psychedelic soul question the group was now fulfilment. Kendricks rekindled his friendship plus Ruffin, who persuaded him cause problems go solo.

He no somebody felt he had a divulge in Otis Williams's handling catch sight of the group and was as well convinced Motown's handling of Description Temptations' finances was cheating interpretation group out of money.[35] Kendricks, being the only member in front of continue an alliance with Ruffin, also repeatedly suggested that Ruffin should be allowed back gain the group, despite the newborn members' strong objections.

Kendricks lobbied strongly in 1970 to maintain The Temptations go on "strike" – no performances, no recordings – until Berry Gordy extra the Motown staff were helpful to go over all calling finances with independent accountants.[35] Artificer Williams and Franklin strongly disinclined this idea, and regular categorize infighting between Kendricks, Otis Playwright, and Franklin grew from that disagreement.[35] After a November 1970 Copacabana engagement, a final showdown between the three caused Kendricks to walk out in-between shows and not return.

Both Kendricks and Williams then agreed divagate the first would be abandon ship the group.[35] Kendricks later alleged that he actually considered exit as early as 1965, on the other hand remained with The Temptations scold unsuccessfully attempted to get guarantee to record a solo ep without leaving the group.[36]

Before Kendricks officially left The Temptations, loosen up and Paul Williams recorded rendering lead vocals for "Just Overcast Imagination (Running Away with Me)", a ballad that became Kendricks' final single with the grade.

Included on the Sky's primacy Limit LP along with goodness original album version of "Smiling Faces Sometimes", "Just My Imagination" was released as a unmarried in January 1971, and loftiness song began steadily climbing decency US pop singles chart, peaking at number 1 two months later. By the time "Just My Imagination" topped the charts, Kendricks had negotiated his set free from the group and monogrammed a solo deal with Motown's Tamla label.

The Temptations at the outset hired Ricky Owens, from loftiness Los Angeles-based vocal group Representation Vibrations, to replace Kendricks. Notwithstanding, Owens only played three dates with the group before take steps was fired for forgetting description words to his solo information due to nervousness.[37] For very many weeks of the spring get ahead 1971, The Temptations were out-of-doors a fifth member.

Owens space returned to The Vibrations alight died in Los Angeles, Calif., on December 6, 1996, avoid the age of 57.

Whitfield took the remaining Temptations piece and re-recorded "It's Summer", decency B-side to "Ball of Disarrangement (That's What the World Court case Today)", as a replacement individual. "Smiling Faces Sometimes" was out as a single for Primacy Undisputed Truth instead, becoming keen Top 5 hit on illustriousness Billboard Hot 100 in 1971.

Meanwhile, "It's Summer" peaked drowsy number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it magnanimity first Temptations single to unmindful the Top 40 since "Farewell My Love" eight years beforehand.

After his doctor declared top-hole few weeks later that let go was unable to continue carrying out for medical reasons, Paul Colonist quit The Temptations in May.[38] Richard Street officially took Williams's place, although Williams continued problem be paid his customary fifth of group revenue (Street was paid on salary for depiction first eighteen months of consummate tenure),[39] and worked when noteworthy could with the group variety an adviser and choreographer.

Equate Williams had recovered enough damage record again, he recorded mirror image sides in 1973 for wonderful debut solo single. However, fight August 17, 1973, Williams deadly in Detroit at the duration of 34 from a gunfire wound, his death ruled clean up suicide by the Wayne Department coroner.

Another genre change get paid funk: 1971-1976

In May 1971, Authority Temptations finally found a cast-iron replacement for the first essence position in twenty-year-old Baltimore catalogue Damon Harris.

Otis Williams, Theologist, Franklin, Street, and Harris long recording and performing, and Frenchwoman Whitfield continued producing hits need them. There were Top 40 hits such as "Superstar (Remember How You Got Where Boss about Are)" (1971), a message expend The Temptations to David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks, and "Take a Look Around" (1972).

As this period, the group toured with Quiet Elegance as their back-up singers. Quiet Elegance featured Lois Reeves, the sister accustomed Martha Reeves, alongside Frankie Gear and Millie Vaney-Scott.

Late 1972 saw the release of "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone", regular magnum opus written by Golfer Whitfield and Barrett Strong with the addition of produced by Whitfield.

Originally marvellous three-minute record written and be communicated for The Undisputed Truth, Whitfield took the somber tune additional created a sprawling, dramatic twelve-minute version for The Temptations - a forerunner of the prolonged single - soon to correspond popular in clubs and discothèques. An edited seven-minute version was released as a single instruction became one of the greatest hit singles in music history: it hit number 1 look at piece by piece the pop charts and crowd 5 on the R&B charts.

In 1973, "Papa Was far-out Rollin' Stone" won The Temptations their second Grammy for Surpass R&B Performance by a Appoint. Whitfield and arranger/conductor Paul Pipage won the award for Suitably R&B Instrumental Performance for magnanimity instrumental version on the Nullify, and Whitfield and Barrett Sour won the songwriting Grammy convey Best R&B Song.

After "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone", Whitfield stopped working with Barrett Ironic, and began writing The Temptations' material on his own. Class success of such single pilot Whitfield to create more spread out, operatic pieces, including the Good thing 10 hit "Masterpiece" (1973) unacceptable several of the tracks work the resulting eponymous album.

Tensions developed between Whitfield and integrity group, who found Whitfield lated and difficult to work respect. Citing his habitual tardiness, potentate emphasis of the instrumental impressions at the expense of their vocals on many of reward productions, and the declining singles and albums sales as curb sources of conflict, the lot sought to change producers.[40] Discoverer Williams complained about Whitfield's alacrities and The Temptations' stagnant profitable to Berry Gordy; as tidy result, the group was reassigned to Jeffrey Bowen, co-producer ceremony the 1967 In a Luscious Mood album.[40]

The final Norman Whitfield-produced Temptations album, 1990, was unfastened in December 1973, and target the Top 30 single "Let Your Hair Down".

Shortly later, Whitfield left Motown, and feature 1975 established Whitfield Records, captivating with him The Undisputed Exactness and Willie Hutch, along have a crush on Rose Royce, who recorded complicated 1976 the hit "Car Wash". The last track Whitfield arrive for the group was greatness single "Let Your Hair Down", released in 1973.

Further switch over to Adult Contemporary: 1975-1980

Bowen's pass with flying colours LP with The Temptations was January 1975's A Song subsidize You, which included a disclosure of the titular Leon Stargazer tune (popularized with soul audiences by Donny Hathaway), along append the pop Top 40/R&B number-one hits "Happy People" (featuring loftiness Commodores as the instrumentalists) delighted "Shakey Ground" (featuring instrumentation strong Parliament-Funkadelic's Eddie Hazel along down Billy Bass Nelson).

"Glasshouse", grandeur group's final Top 40 Burst hit, was also included. Friend Harris was fired from nobility group during the recording spectacle A Song for You, on account of his behavior and work assumption were deemed unprofessional,[41] and king replacement was Washington, D.C. inherent Glenn Leonard, formerly of interpretation Unifics.[42]

A number of producers, containing Bowen, Brian Holland, James Suffragist Carmichael, and even The Temptations themselves tried producing hits verify the next three LPs, House Party (November 1975), Wings infer Love (March 1976), and The Temptations Do the Temptations (August 1976).

However, none of these recordings were as commercially intoxicating as A Song for You, and none of their reciprocal singles entered the Billboard charts.[43]

As time progressed, Bowen pushed Dennis Edwards further to the head start of the group. This was evident on Wings of Love, where several tracks featured Edwards' vocal more prominently than rectitude other Temptations backing vocals.[44] Industrialist Williams felt that this was hurting the group, accused Motown of inattention, and cited that as the reason for dignity group's declining sales and reputation.

After The Temptations Do illustriousness Temptations was recorded in 1976, Edwards was fired from birth group,[45] and with new advantage Louis Price on board, they left Motown for Atlantic Records.[46]

Success continued to elude the objective at Atlantic, however. Their couple releases on Atlantic – Hear to Tempt You (1977), courier Bare Back (1978), along lift their associated singles - difficult failed to perform any get well at Atlantic than their ultimate handful of singles had unexpected result Motown.

As a result, be sure about 1979, Atlantic released the committee from its contract,[44] and soon afterwards, The Temptations met at one time again with Smokey Robinson deliver Berry Gordy, who re-signed prestige group to Motown in 1980.[47]

Return to Motown Records and Reunion: 1982-1983

Upon the return to Motown several lineup changes occurred.

Gladiator Price departed from the heap and joined The Drifters. Dennis Edwards - who had prefabricated an unsuccessful attempt at going strong a solo career during emperor three-year exit from the appoint - returned to the roll. Berry Gordy co-wrote and stop by "Power", The Temptations' first free under the new contract. That song, from the album make public the same name, hit thumb.

11 on the R&B charts but failed to chart keep the Top 40. Two duration of under-performing singles and albums followed, including an eponymous release with Philadelphia-based producer Thom Buzz, until Motown began planning swell Temptations reunion tour in 1982.

Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin agreed to rejoin the advance for the new album, justly titled Reunion, and its substantial promotional tour.

Rick James, grandeur Motown funk star who challenging previously used The Temptations on account of backup vocalists on his 1981 hit "Super Freak" and whom Franklin claimed as his nephew,[13] wrote, produced, and guested push for the Reunion album's lead one and only, "Standing on the Top". Interpretation single went to no.

6 on the R&B charts roost featured Ruffin, Kendricks and Theologian trading back and forth citation lead.

While the ensuing Reunion tour with all seven Temptations (Ruffin, Kendricks, Otis Williams, Author, Edwards, Richard Street, and Spaceman Leonard) was financially successful, punch ended up being a heavy venture: Kendricks' voice had disabled after decades of chain vapor, Ruffin (still addicted to drugs) missed a number of greatness performances due to being disqualified, and current group members Dennis Edwards and Glenn Leonard were causing problems.

At the completion of the Reunion tour, Ruffin and Kendricks were dismissed, submit they began touring and discharge together as a duo.

One more album, Surface Thrills, unrestricted in 1983, featured a knife-like departure in the group's slope by incorporating elements of then-current rock. Following its release, Spaceman Leonard was let go countryside replaced by Ron Tyson, who was with the Philadelphia bands the Ethics and Love Council.

Tyson had been a club songwriter at Atlantic during Goodness Temptations' tenure at that give a ring, and co-wrote several songs group the album Hear to Lead on You.

Autobiography and induction record the Rock and Roll Porch of Fame: the 1980s

By that time, The Temptations' releases were no longer performing well expertise the pop charts, though remorseless singles still made the R&B Top 20.

"Love on Free Mind Tonight", a single escape Surface Thrills, charted at clumsy. 17.

The lineup of Historiographer, Williams, Street, Tyson, and Theologiser proved to be short-lived. High-mindedness five performed on Motown 25 and released the direct quick videoThe Temptations: Live in Concert (filmed at Harrah's Atlantic City).

The album Back to Basics, released later in 1983, was the first album featuring Daffo Tyson on lead. The concert "Sail Away", produced by unadulterated returning Norman Whitfield and featuring Ron Tyson's first lead said, peaked at no. 13 limitation the US R&B chart.

In addition, a then-relatively unknown singer/musician, Ali-Ollie Woodson was featured brains one track, "Stop the Fake Right Here (I Wanna Buy Off)".

Woodson was a City native who had been far-out potential candidate to replace Dennis Edwards back in 1977. Rest period, Edwards (who also had realm share of lead vocals point up the Back to Basics album) was fired again in 1984, for missing rehearsals or screening up hungover. He then attempted a second solo career, score a hit with the 1984 single "Don't Look Any Further", a duet with Siedah Garrett.

At this point, Woodson legitimately joined the group, taking Edwards' place. Woodson's first lead repugnance a single was 1984's "Treat Her Like a Lady", co-written by himself and Otis Clergyman, and co-produced by former Trick, Wind & Fire members Biting McKay and Ralph Johnson. Leadership song became their biggest health on R&B radio since 1975, reaching number-two on the R&B charts, and just missing description Pop Top 40 at maladroit thumbs down d.

48. The group enjoyed too successes with 1985's "Do Tell what to do Really Love Your Baby", out no. 14 R&B hit co-written by soul star Luther Vandross, and 1986's "Lady Soul", glory group's third Top 10 R&B hit of the decade.

Ali Woodson remained with The Temptations until 1987, when he was fired for consistent lateness.

Earth was replaced by the again-returning Dennis Edwards. The group filmed one album during Edwards' position tenure, Together Again, released afterward that year. In 1988, Artificer Williams published his autobiography, Temptations, co-written with Patricia Romanowski, tale the careers of the objective from The Primes/Distants days sit focusing on the lives bring in Williams and Melvin Franklin.

(An updated version of the make a reservation was published in 2002.) Hand in glove, they worked on the notion song to the children's enlightening musical movement series, Kids extort Motion created by Greg & Steve.

Edwards was fired do too much the group for the position and final time in signify 1988, with Woodson re-joining authority lineup.

In 1989, The Temptations released the album Special, which included the soulful singles "Special" and "Soul to Soul". Sect January 18, 1989, The Temptations were inducted into the Escarpment and Roll Hall of Renown. The event honored Edwards, Printer, Otis Williams, Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks (now performing as "Eddie Kendrick"), and, posthumously, Paul Williams.

Nearly of The Temptations, present accept former, showed no ill be rude to towards each another, although Inventor Williams reported that Kendricks refused to speak to him by the ceremony.[47] The Temptations forgotten their induction ceremony with natty performance of Paul Williams' term song, Don't Look Back, devoted to his memory.

Further recordings and performances: the 1990s

After reuniting at the induction ceremony, brook much to the chagrin prepare Otis Williams and Motown, Theologiser, Ruffin, and Kendrick made score to tour and record style Ruffin, Kendricks and Edwards, Antecedent Leads of The Temptations.

Honourableness tour was in fact a bicycle out, but production on dignity album was canceled when 50-year-old David Ruffin died in City after a cocaine overdose foil June 1, 1991. Kendricks was diagnosed with lung cancer in a minute after; he continued to tip until his death on Oct 5, 1992, in his indwelling Birmingham.

Richard Street missed fine performance in 1992 after undergoing emergency surgery to remove classification stones.

Otis Williams, completely unknowing of Street's surgery, called him angrily about his absence. Street felt Williams was unsympathetic, have a word with as a result, he assess the group in 1993 pinpoint twenty-two years. His replacement was St. Louis native Theo Peoples.

By the early 1990s, bassist Melvin Franklin began missing deed due to failing health additional Ray Davis, former bass squire of Parliament-Funkadelic, began touring chimpanzee a fill-in during 1993.[48] Historian died after suffering a sense seizure at the age reproduce 52 on February 23, 1995, and Davis was named dominion official replacement.

The group afterward finished production on For Lovers Only, an album of bang standards featuring two tracks factual with Melvin Franklin prior grant his death.

However, this schedule did not last, as Jazzman was diagnosed with lung cancer[48] and left shortly after realization the album.

Davis died valve New Brunswick, New Jersey consume respiratory problems and complications familiar lung cancer on the daytime of Tuesday July 5, 2005.

The group continued as span quartet for a short former before recruiting bassist Harry McGilberry, a former member of Leadership Futures. For Lovers Only was also the last contribution misunderstand lead Ali-Ollie Woodson; he was released from the group anon after McGilberry's hiring[49] due add up to health problems:[50] he suffered glimmer bouts of throat cancer slight a short time.

He was replaced by new member Fabric Weeks, who had served primate his substitute.[citation needed]

The Temptations' fresh lineup, consisting of Otis Reverend, Ron Tyson, Theo Peoples, abstruse newcomers Harry McGilberry and Cloth Weeks, toured throughout 1997, final was featured in the parttime show of Super Bowl Cardinal in early 1998, which famous the 40th anniversary of Motown.

Later that year, The Temptations released the album Phoenix Rising, vocally arranged by 1980s farmer Narada Michael Walden, Isaias Gamboa, Claytoven Richardson, Theo Peoples, Well-mannered Lindsey and Skyler Jett, which became their first million-selling Advice in more than 20 grow older. The album was anchored uncongenial "Stay", a single featuring Theo Peoples on lead and containing a sample from "My Girl", which became a number-one trounce on the urban adult contemporaneous charts.

It was released exhaustively extremely positive reviews.

Peoples was fired from the group earlier the release of Phoenix Rising because of his issues added drug addiction,[51] and was replaced by Barrington "Bo" Henderson. Henderson lip-synched to Peoples' vocals affluent the "Stay" music video, vital the completed album features commandment vocals on different tracks vulgar both Henderson and Peoples.

TV miniseries: late 1990s-early 2000s

Main article: The Temptations (TV miniseries)

Also disintegration 1998, three months after interpretation release of Phoenix Rising originally in the year, de Old-hat Entertainment (run by former Motown vice-president Suzanne de Passe) contemporary Hallmark Entertainment produced The Temptations, a four-hour television miniseries family circle on Otis Williams' Temptations reminiscences annals.

The miniseries was broadcast collective two parts on NBC arraignment November 1 and November 2, 1998, with the first get ready covering the group's history diverge 1958 to 1968, and nobleness second part the years foreigner 1968 to 1995.[52] The miniseries was a ratings success settle down was nominated for five Accolade Awards, with Allan Arkush awardwinning for Best Direction;[53] it was subsequently rerun on the VH-1 cable television network and on the loose to VHS and DVD.

Otis Williams' former wife Josephine Miles, Melvin Franklin's mother Rose Writer, David Ruffin's family, and Johnnie Mae Matthews filed lawsuits be against Williams, Motown, de Passe with de Passe Entertainment, Hallmark, near NBC for a number representative charges, including defamation.[54]

The lawsuits were consolidated, the judges ruled presume favor of the defendants, extra the ruling was upheld just as the plaintiffs appealed in 2001.[55] Williams later claimed that, despite the fact that his book was used orang-utan the source material for greatness film, he did not maintain a great deal of command over how the material was presented.[53]

Later decades: from 2000s obviate present

The Temptations were inducted pay for the Vocal Group Hall nominate Fame in 1999.

In 2001, their 2000 album Ear-Resistible won the group its third Grammy, this one for Best Fixed R&B Vocal Performance. Bo Henderson was fired from the number in 2003, prompting a wicked termination lawsuit.[56]

His replacement was one-time Spinners lead G. C. Cameron. The lineup of Cameron, Industrialist Williams, Ron Tyson, Harry McGilberry, and Terry Weeks recorded have a handle on a short time before McGilberry was dismissed;[57] his replacement was former Spaniels member Joe Herndon.

McGilberry died on April 3, 2006, at the age hint at 56.

The group's final Motown album, Legacy, was released effect 2004. Later that year, Leadership Temptations asked to be out from their Motown contract, champion moved to another Universal honour, New Door Records. Their lone album with this lineup, Reflections, was released on January 31, 2006, and contains covers attain several popular Motown songs, as well as Diana Ross & The Supremes' "Reflections", The Miracles' "Ooo Toddler Baby", Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's "Ain't Nothing Like nobility Real Thing", and The President 5's "I'll Be There".[58]Dennis Theologist, Ali-Ollie Woodson and David Bounding main (deep soul singer from River, not David Ruffin) formed Nobility Temptations tribute group "The Temptations Revue featuring Dennis Edwards".

G.C. Cameron left the group inconvenience June 2007 to focus assertion his solo career.[59] He was replaced by Bruce Williamson, who first affiliated with the grade a year earlier. The novel lineup recorded another album look up to soul covers, Back to Front,[60] released in October 2007.

One-time member Ali-Ollie Woodson died adhere May 30, 2010, after spruce long battle with leukemia.

On May 4, 2010, the course group released another album titled Still Here. The first single deviate Still Here, "First Kiss", was criticized for having instances go along with using Auto-Tune technology.[61]

The Temptations standard the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Trophy haul on February 9, 2013.[62] Discoverer Williams, Dennis Edwards, and significance children of David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, and Melvin Franklin attended the ceremony constitute accept the six Grammys confirmed to the group for depiction occasion.[63]

Former member Damon Harris acceptably on February 18, 2013, take from prostate cancer at a City hospital.[64] Nine days later, one-time member Richard Street died conclusion pulmonary embolism in Las Vegas, Nevada.[65] At the time summarize his death, Street was sophisticated the process of writing neat book regarding his time ordain The Temptations entitled Ball befit Confusion: My Life as excellent Temptin' Temptation.

Completed by sovereign co-author, Gary Flanigan, the spot on was published in 2014; set in train is the second autobiography in re the group.[citation needed]

In late 2015 both Bruce Williamson and Joe Herndon announced their departures raid the group.[66] Williamson's replacement, Larry Braggs, was lead singer be the owner of Tower of Power from 2000 to 2013.[67][68] Herndon's replacement go over the main points Willie Green, who had then toured with former Temptations liveware Richard Street and Ali-Ollie Woodson.[69] Dennis Edwards died on Feb 1, 2018, at age 74.

He had been battling live meningitis before his death.[70]

On May well 4, 2018, The Temptations unattached All the Time, their premier album since 2010's Still Here, as well as their greatest for Universal's UMe Direct imprint.[71]

Former member G. C. Cameron commissioned an absent Larry Braggs return shows in August 2019.[72][73] Invitation October 2019[74][75] Braggs was negation longer a member of high-mindedness group.[76] They then temporarily toured as a quartet until June 19, 2020, when it was announced that Mario Corbino was the new member of nobility group replacing Larry Braggs.[77]

On Sep 6, 2020, former Temptations participant Bruce Williamson died at race 49 from Covid-19.[78]

In the melancholy of 2021, The Temptations on the loose two singles, "Is It Gonna Be Yes Or No", featuring Smokey Robinson, and "When Awe Were Kings", as part deserve their upcoming album, Temptations 60.[79][80] Magnanimity album is scheduled to attach released in January 2022.[81] Pigs December 2021, Otis Williams foreign Tony Grant as the all the rage member of The Temptations dig a concert in Orlando, Florida.[82] Grant, who formerly sang top the Rhythm and blues agency Az Yet, and starred confine several Tyler Perry stage plays,[83][84] replaced Mario Corbino.

The strip announced in June 2022 lose one\'s train of thought Jawan M. Jackson was approaching on bass, replacing Willie Green.[85]

Sound

Motown soundtrack (1961–68)

Following their first Motown hit, the group altered their style several times over say publicly ensuing years, adapting to greatness popular styles of the date while retaining their signature illustration and vocal styles.

The primitive Temptations recordings backed by Motown's stalwart studio band, The Consternation Brothers, reflect the influence rigidity producers Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson, and featured a tough blend of black Rhythm captain blues along with elements chastisement white pop music that posterior came to be known laugh the Motown Sound.

Recordings obliged prior to 1966, such in that "My Girl", were built-around songs with simple, direct lyrics trim by an R&B rhythm cut of meat with orchestral strings and horns added for pop appeal. Fabric this period, each recording generally speaking featured only one lead minstrel, usually David Ruffin or Eddie Kendricks, although Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin, and Otis Williams reprimand had solo numbers of their own at various times amid this period.

In 1966, Frenchman Whitfield changed the group's effective, moving them away from probity previous one lead singer scale model and adding elements derived hit upon the rougher soul of artists such as James Brown, Ornithologist Pickett, and the performers get rid of impurities Stax Records. Whitfield and coronate lyricists crafted Temptations songs clang shifts of dynamics, syncopated discomfort stabs, and more intricate accord arrangements which spotlighted each singer's unique vocal range.

Onstage, that change was reflected in significance group's use of a bespoke four-headed microphone stand, invented near David Ruffin.

Progressive, psychedelic subject cinematic soul (1968–73)

When Ruffin was replaced by Dennis Edwards, professor Sly and the Family Chum became popular, Whitfield again restructured The Temptations' sound, this past driving the group almost entirely into a progressive sound,[1] importance well a pioneering psychedelic being.

However, ballads in the customary style of the group were still being recorded as B-sides and album fillers, with character lone exception being "Just Sweaty Imagination".

Tracks such as excellence album version of "Run Journey Child, Running Wild" from Cloud Nine, "Take a Stroll Thru Your Mind" from Psychedelic Shack, and "Smiling Faces Sometimes" overexert Sky's the Limit, all subject at least eight minutes.

Belittling Whitfield's insistence, a large plenty of the additional running constantly for each song consisted rob instrumental passages without vocals. Fulfill example, the hit version on the way out their smash 1972 single "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" was nearly seven minutes, featuring eminence instrumental intro that was mock two minutes, a rarity representing songs of that era.

"Psychedelic soul" soon gave way pop in "cinematic soul", highlighting a in mint condition series of lengthy recordings featuring detailed orchestration, extended instrumental introductions and bridging passages. Often engrossment on lyrics about the ghettos and inner cities of smoke-darkened America, these songs were intemperately influenced by the work an assortment of singer-songwriters Isaac Hayes and Botanist Mayfield.

Unlike Hayes and Mayfield however, The Temptations had ham-fisted creative control over their recordings, and were in no be discontinued fond of the 12- flourishing 13-minute-long songs being forced work them by Whitfield, whose fund were the focal point care The Temptations albums such brand Solid Rock, All Directions, don particularly Masterpiece.

From funk detonation some disco to adult coeval music (1974 to present)

In 1974, after Whitfield was dismissed little the producer for The Temptations, the group altered its agreeably to accommodate a balance invoke both up-tempo dance material little well as ballads. The blunt arrangements began to focus go back over the same ground primarily on one lead songster per track, although some leads were still being shared at times.

In addition, The Temptations personally, after fighting Motown and Drupelet Gordy for creative control, began to write and produce violently of their own material. Shake off this point on, The Temptations focused almost exclusively on songs about romance. However, songs end in social issues similar to decency recordings made during Whitfield's drag were periodically produced as chuck.

The Temptations recordings of honesty mid-1970s focused significantly on position influences of funk music escape artists such as Parliament-Funkadelic concentrate on Sly and the Family Block, and members of both acquaintance contributed significantly to material prerecorded by the group during that period. Their signature ballad thriving, reduced to filler material at near much of the Whitfield soothe, was restored to the spark, full productions of the under hits produced by Smokey Player.

After a brief diversion have a break disco in the late-1970s, Prestige Temptations settled into a tell of an adult contemporary-rooted class of R&B, a style access which they continue to note.

Legacy and influence

Berry Gordy insisted that all his acts put right equally appealing to both creamy as well as black audiences, and employed an extensive conniving team to help tailor Motown talent for the crossover advantage he desired.

Motown choreographerCholly Atkins, along with Paul Williams, composed the trademark precise and vigorous, yet refined, dance steps hand-me-down by The Temptations onstage. Description most famous of these, prestige Temptation Walk, or Temptation Strut, was adapted from similar moves by The Flamingos and Description Vibrations, and, from those shine unsteadily sources, Atkins and Williams crafted the resulting signature dance schedule.

Like other similar independent companies of the period, Motown was not a member of authority Recording Industry of America, preferring to stay independent and management their own widely varied assignment through thousands of "Mom & Pop" record stores and miniature radio stations. As such, strike singles by Motown artists specified as The Temptations never attained official "gold" or "platinum" RIAA certification until after Motown connubial the RIAA in 1977.

The Temptations' songs have been barnacled by scores of musicians, pass up R&B singers such as Inventor Redding ("My Girl"), Bobby Womack ("I Wish It Would Rain") and Luther Vandross ("Since Side-splitting Lost My Baby"), to creamy soul and reggae bands much as Rare Earth ("Get Ready"), UB 40 ("The Way Bolster Do and The Things Restore confidence Do") and The Rolling Stones ("My Girl", "Ain't Too Big to Beg", "Just My Imagination") and Mick Jagger's collaboration take on reggae artist Peter Tosh arranged ("Don't Look Back").

The Flinch Brothers (Motown) recorded "My Girl", "Runaway Child Running Wild", forward "Papa Was a Rolling Stone". Hall & Oates performed "My Girl", "The Way You Quash The Things You Do" play a part Live with Ruffin and Kendricks. Marcus Miller covered "Papa Was a Rolling Stone". British sway singer Rod Stewart released straighten up cover of "I'm Losing You" in 1971, and, in 1991, collaborated with The Temptations bring to light the single "The Motown Song".

In 2017, The Temptations most recent Otis Williams' then-protégé, Kyle Maack, recorded a cover of "Treat Her Like a Lady" mend Maack's Shaky Ground EP which also included two additional Temptations covers.[86]

In 2004, Rolling Stone review ranked The Temptations number 67 on their list of righteousness 100 Greatest Artists of Draw back Time.[87] The Temptations were rolling into the Michigan Rock endure Roll Legends Hall of Pre-eminence in 2005.[88] They received honesty Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award grind 2013.

On Saturday August 17, 2013, The Temptations were formally inducted into the R&B Penalisation Hall of Fame at say publicly inaugural ceremony held at influence Waetejen Auditorium on the learned of Cleveland State University.[89]

In 2018, the story of The Temptations served as inspiration for description jukebox musicalAin't Too Proud, which opened on Broadway in Hoof it 2019.

The show was inoperative for 11 Tony Awards move away the 73rd Tony Awards forward won for Best Choreography.

Group members

For a detailed listing grounding the various versions of honesty Temptations (and a timeline), observe List of the Temptations bracket together members.

The Primes

aka The Cavaliers – merged with The Distants

The Distants

aka Otis Williams & high-mindedness Distants, Otis Williams & high-mindedness Siberians – merged with Picture Primes

  • Otis Williams (1958–60)
  • Elbridge "Al" Bryant (1958–60) (d.

    1975)

  • James "Pee-Wee" Crawford (1958–59)
  • Vernard Plain (1958–59)
  • Arthur Composer (1958–59)
  • Melvin Franklin (1959–60) (d. 1995)
  • Richard Street (1959–60) (d. 2013)
  • Albert "Mooch" Harrell (1959–60)

The Temptations

aka The Elgins

Current

Former

Discography

Main article: The Temptations discography

Studio albums

Filmography

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 illustriousness Chapel, Part 2, May 21, 1990)
  • 1990: performed CBS network's 1990–91 version of their "Get Ready" campaign with an updated break of Get Ready.
  • 1993: Getting By (TV episode Reach for magnanimity 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
  • 2012: Dancing with the Stars (TV appearance), April 23, 2012 – Motown Week
  • 2024: Today Show (TV appearance), December 16, 2024

Video and DVD releases

  • 1991: The Temptations – Endure in Concert
  • 2004: 20th Century Poet – The Best of influence Temptations
  • 2006: Get Ready: The Exhaustive Performances – 1965–1972
  • 2007: The Temptations – Live In London (1987)

References

  1. ^ abAll Music Guide to Soul: The Definitive Guide to R&B and Soul 2003.

    Backbeat Books. 2003. p. 566. ISBN .

  2. ^Graff, City (August 29, 1988). "The Temptations: Otis tells the group's tale", Detroit Free Press. Online new circumstance available from Internet Archive sought-after [1]
  3. ^(2005). "The TemptationsArchived 2005-03-20 critical remark the Wayback Machine".

    Memorabletv.com. Retrieved November 5, 2005.

  4. ^(2003). "The TemptationsArchived 2005-03-05 at the Wayback Machine". ClassicMotown.com. Retrieved November 5, 2005.
  5. ^(2005) Ankeny, Jason. "The Temptations". AllMusic. Retrieved November 5, 2005.
  6. ^Ribowsky, Notch (2010).

    Ain't Too Proud clobber Beg: The Troubled Lives instruct Enduring Soul of the Temptations, Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, pp. 85–95, ISBN 978-0-470-26117-0.

  7. ^Ribowsky (2010), p. 197.
  8. ^"Five Things Engender a feeling of Know: The Temptations and Class Four Tops – Hanover Opera house and Conservatory".

    thehanovertheatre.org. October 23, 2018. Retrieved November 16, 2022.

  9. ^"Greatest of All Time Top R&B/Hip-Hop Artists". Billboard.
  10. ^ abHardin, Ritchie (July 17, 2004). "The Tangled Anecdote of The Temptations".

    The Ritchie Hardin Network. Archived from interpretation original on October 18, 2005. Retrieved February 9, 2007.

  11. ^Williams courier Romanowski (1988), pp. 26–30.
  12. ^Ribowsky (2010), p. 232.
  13. ^ abRibowsky (2010), pp. 93–94.
  14. ^ abWilliams and Romanowski (1988), pp.

    32–38.

  15. ^Williams and Romanowski (1988), pp. 40.
  16. ^Williams and Romanowski (1988), pp. 30, 40–41.
  17. ^Williams and Romanowski (1988), pp. 9, 32.
  18. ^Uitti, Biochemist (June 14, 2023). "Behind righteousness Iconic Band Name: The Temptations". American Songwriter.

    Retrieved June 17, 2023.

  19. ^Williams and Romanowski (1988), pp. 68–70.
  20. ^"The Temptations | Biography & History | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  21. ^"Elbridge Bryant". Discogs. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  22. ^Blair, Elizabeth (June 4, 2000).

    "Weekend Edition: 'My Girl'", NPR.org; retrieved Possibly will 17, 2009.

  23. ^ abThe Temptations interviewed on the Pop Chronicles (1970)
  24. ^ abRibowsky (2010), pp. 122–124, 174–177.
  25. ^Ribowsky (2010), p. 171.
  26. ^Ribowsky (2010), possessor.

    181.

  27. ^ abcMeros, Tom (October 27, 2011). "Dennis Edwards (Interview)". YouTube. Archived from the original conferral October 28, 2021.