Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams started singing together in church as children. Some called the group "the Hitless Temptations" due to their lack of hits. The following singles were released on Motown's Gordy label except for the following: "Oh Mother of Mine" and "Check Yourself" were released on Miracle, "Mind Over Matter (I'm Gonna Make You Mine)" was released on Mel-o-dy, and the three American-issued Supremes/Temptations duets were released on Motown. [11] Following the release of "Alright", Matthews appointed Williams the group leader, and the group's name was changed to Otis Williams & The Distants. By 1958, Williams was the leader of a vocal group named Otis Williams and the Siberians. – The Funk and Soul Revue", "Sky's the limit for soul singer Kyle Maack", "Michigan Rock and Roll Legends - TEMPTATIONS", "Bruce Williamson, Former Singer of The Temptations, Dies at 49", Otis Williams' official website (includes current tour schedule), Classic Temptations page at Classic Motown website, "The Temptations" Vocal Group Hall of Fame page, Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations, Lost and Found: You've Got to Earn It (1962–1968), American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Band/Duo/Group, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Temptations&oldid=1021053889, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winners, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using Template:Infobox musical artist with unknown parameters, Articles containing potentially dated statements from 2021, All articles containing potentially dated statements, Articles needing additional references from February 2018, All articles needing additional references, Articles with unsourced statements from February 2018, Wikipedia articles with BIBSYS identifiers, Wikipedia articles with MusicBrainz identifiers, Wikipedia articles with SUDOC identifiers, Wikipedia articles with Trove identifiers, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Elbridge "Al" Bryant (1960–1964) (d. 1975). It was released on the Gordy label, and written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong.The song was used to anchor the 1970 Greatest Hits II LP. He was replaced by new member Terry Weeks, who had served as his sub. The group settled in Detroit where they changed their name to the Primes under the direction of Milton Jenkins. On the R&B singles chart, the group scored a record seventy-one Top 40 singles, with fourteen of those reaching #1. Robinson's first work with the group was the Paul Williams-led "I Want a Love I Can See". Most of the Temptations, present and former, showed no ill feelings towards one another, although Otis Williams reported that Kendricks refused speak to him during the ceremony. "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)" is a 1970 hit single for The Temptations. Billboard magazine ranked the Temptations #1 in … [31] Otis Williams and Franklin strongly opposed this idea, and regular group infighting between Kendricks, Otis Williams, and Franklin grew from this disagreement. Their music has earned three Grammy Awards. By 1967, David Ruffin had begun demanding special treatment as lead singer, riding to and from gigs in a private mink-lined limousine with his then-girlfriend, Motown singer Tammi Terrell, instead of in the group limousine used by the other four Temptations. The song was used to anchor the 1970 Greatest Hits II LP. For a brief time, the group almost had their name changed to the Pirates, and recorded the songs "Mind Over Matter" and "I'll Love You Till I Die" under that name. The group included Elbridge "Al" Bryant, James "Pee-Wee" Crawford, Vernard Plain and Arthur Walton. This 1989 release marked the return of lead singer Ali "Ollie" Woodson after the third departure of Dennis Edwards.In many respects, Special is a business-as-usual, mid- to late-'80s Temptations release. Williams and Romanowski (2002), pp. The final Norman Whitfield-produced Temptations album, 1990, was released in December 1973, and included the Top 30 single "Let Your Hair Down". [12] During this period, both the Primes and Distants were influenced by other vocal groups including the Miracles. He sued Motown in October 1968, seeking a release from the label, but Motown countersued to keep the singer from leaving and the case was eventually settled out of court. The five performed on Motown 25 and released the direct to video The Temptations: Live in Concert (filmed at Harrah's Atlantic City). 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 music of the 5th Dimension, the Undisputed Truth, and the Friends of Distinction. The original name for the new lineup of Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, Elbridge "Al" Bryant, Eddie Kendricks, and Paul Williams was the Elgins. The single went to number-six on the R&B charts and featured Ruffin, Kendricks and Edwards trading back and forth on lead. Otis Williams, completely unaware of Street's surgery, called him angrily about his absence. In 2018, the story of the Temptations served as inspiration for the jukebox musical Ain't Too Proud, which opened on Broadway in March 2019. Meanwhile, Edwards (who also had his share of lead vocals on the Back to Basics album) was again fired in 1984, for missing rehearsals or showing up hungover. [51] 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. By their teenage years, they formed a doo-wop quartet in 1955 with Kell Osborne and Wiley Waller, naming themselves the Cavaliers. "The Temptations: Otis tells the group's tale". He regularly picked fights with Otis Williams and Melvin Franklin, which often became violent, and in addition, he preferred the ballad material from the earlier days and was uncomfortable with the psychedelic soul material the group was now performing. Berry Gordy insisted that all his acts be equally appealing to both white as well as black audiences, and employed an extensive creative team to help tailor Motown talent for the crossover success he desired. Biography by Jason Ankeny. The Temptations were ranked at number 68 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of … It is a complete listing of all their singles and albums. Before Kendricks officially left the Temptations, he and Paul Williams recorded the lead vocals for "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)", a ballad that became Kendricks' final single with the group. However, on August 17, 1973, Williams died in Detroit at the age of 34 from a gunshot wound, his death ruled a suicide by the Wayne County coroner. The group recorded one album during Edwards's third tenure, Together Again, released in late 1987. Kendricks was already seen as a "matinee idol" in the Detroit area, while Williams was well received for his baritone vocals.[7]. "As a matter of fact, this album churned out seven chart hit singles -- or rather, they were included on this collection, as singles wagged the album dog back in those days. With the raspy-voiced Woodson, the group had a more cohesive sound and polish. [62] Williamson's replacement, Larry Braggs, was lead singer of Tower of Power from 2000 to 2013. This was evident on Wings of Love, where several tracks featured Edwards' vocal more prominently than the other Temptations' backing vocals. This album is made up of vaulted songs recorded both prior to and following the sessions for A Song for You. "Sail Away," produced by a returning Norman Whitfield and featuring Ron Tyson's first lead vocal, peaked at number 13 on the US R&B chart. Background. Rick James, the Motown funk star who had previously used the Temptations as backup vocalists on his 1981 hit "Super Freak" and whom Franklin claimed as his nephew,[10] wrote, produced, and guested on the Reunion album's lead single, "Standing on the Top". Woodson was a Detroit native who had been a potential candidate to replace Dennis Edwards back in 1977. Diese Diskografie ist eine Übersicht über die veröffentlichten Tonträger der amerikanischen Gesangs gruppe The Temptations.Gemäß Quellenangaben und Schallplattenauszeichnungen hat sie bisher mehr als 37,9 Millionen Tonträger verkauft, davon alleine in ihrer Heimat über 36,7 Millionen. The Temptations’ story is an epic journey of courage, struggle, triumphs, setbacks, and ultimately, international superstardom. the Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards, Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today), Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me), The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll, Learn how and when to remove this template message, (Loneliness Made Me Realize) It's You That I Need, I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You), Diana Ross & the Supremes Join The Temptations, Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are), "The Temptations | Biography & History | AllMusic", "Theo Peoples Visits Lee Michaels & Heaven 600". Outside of music, the Temptations were made honorary members of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity. [71] As of March 2020 there has not been a replacement and the group is touring as a quartet.[72]. Meanwhile, "It's Summer" peaked at number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the first Temptations single to miss the Top 40 since "Farewell My Love" eight years earlier. There was also a joint tour and two NBC television specials, TCB (aired December 9, 1968) and G.I.T. Vinyl, LP, Album. The genesis and magnitude of their greatness is one of the most extraordinary stories of the 20th and 21st Centuries. He had been battling with meningitis before his death. An edited seven-minute version was released as a single and became one of the longest hit singles in music history: it hit number 1 on the pop charts and number 5 on the R&B charts. The Temptations' initial five-man lineup formed in Detroit in 1961 as a merger of two local vocal groups, the Primes and the Distants. Discover more music, concerts, videos, … This article presents the discography of Motown group The Temptations. "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. Kendricks agreed on the condition he bring Paul Williams with him. (An updated version of the book was published in 2002.). The … However, ballads in the traditional style of the group were still being recorded as B-sides and album fillers, with the lone exception being "Just My Imagination". George, Nelson (1994). Members of the Distants were acquainted with the Primes, as both groups participated in the same talent shows and performed at the same public venues. Anthology: The Temptations is one of three greatest hits collections released by Motown Records covering the work of soul/R&B group The Temptations. on Broadway (aired November 12, 1969). The miniseries was broadcast in two parts on NBC on November 1 and November 2, 1998, with the first part covering the group's history from 1958 to 1968, and the second part the years from 1968 to 1995. Genre: Funk / Soul. Reunion ‎(LP, … The following two albums were released by Atlantic Records. Special, Lost and Found: You've Got to Earn It (1962–1968), 20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best Of The Temptations, Vol. Good question. The Primes soon became well known around the Detroit area for their meticulous performances. O stavu vždy vypovídá naše hodnocení, které vidíte napravo. One of Motown's greatest and grittiest vocal groups of the '60s, and pioneers of psychedelic soul during the early '70s. However, Mooch Harrell and Richard Street shortly departed from the group and the remaining members lost use of the Distants name. The genesis and magnitude of their greatness is one of the most extraordinary stories of the 20 th and 21 st Centuries. [27], In late 1969, Richard Street, lead singer of Motown act the Monitors and a former Distant, was hired by Otis Williams to tour with the group as a backup replacement for Williams. Richard Street missed a performance in 1992 after undergoing emergency surgery to remove kidneystones. (*) Denotes information derived from the Cashbox R&B chart, as there was no Billboard R&B Singles Chart from November 1963 to January 1965. The vocal arrangements began to again focus primarily on one lead singer per track, although some leads were still being shared periodically. Following Motown's decision to rechristen the Supremes as Diana Ross & the Supremes, Ruffin felt entitled to the same treatment and demanded that his group be renamed as well, to David Ruffin & the Temptations. [60] Nine days later, former member Richard Street died of pulmonary embolism in Las Vegas, Nevada. On the R&B singles chart, the group scored a record seventy-one Top 40 singles, with fourteen of those reaching #1. 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. and this look at the men in the group is fascinating. Ruffin was also causing friction with Berry Gordy by demanding an accounting of the group's earnings;[20] Motown partially acquiesced by allowing the Temptations to retain an outside accounting firm, but the firm did not have full access to the books from the Temptations' manager, International Talent Management, Inc. – a subsidiary of Motown.[20]. Reunion ‎(LP, Album) Gordy 6008GL US 1982. "*" "Christmas Card"'s peak position regards the Top Christmas Albums Chart. Meanwhile, the group continued to perform and record. 26–30. On the R&B singles chart, the group scored a record seventy-one Top 40 singles, with fourteen of those reaching #1. Who else but the Temptations could release the peerless teen love ballad "My Girl" and the cinematic, psychedelic funk of "Papa Was a Rolling Stone"? Motown choreographer Cholly Atkins, along with Paul Williams, created the trademark precise and energetic, yet refined, dance steps used by the Temptations onstage. The event honored Edwards, Franklin, Otis Williams, David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks (now performing as "Eddie Kendrick"), and, posthumously, Paul Williams. The Gordy label is absorbed into the main Motown label. Like other similar independent companies of the period, Motown was not a member of the Recording Industry of America, preferring to stay independent and handling their own widely varied distribution through thousands of "Mom & Pop" record stores and small radio stations. After Williams had recovered enough to record again, he recorded two sides in 1973 for a debut solo single. aka Otis Williams & the Distants, Otis Williams & the Siberians, For the earlier vocal group of "Barbara" fame, see. This article presents the discography of Motown group The Temptations. 178–82. During the 1960s and 1970s, a number of soul groups showed significant influence from the Temptations, such as the Trammps, Tavares, Manhattans, the Chi-Lites, Parliaments, the Dramatics, the Dells, the Spinners, the Softones, the Delfonics, Daryl Hall & John Oates, and Motown labelmates the Miracles, Four Tops, the Monitors, Gladys Knight & the Pips, the Originals, the Jackson Five and the Undisputed Truth. [24], In a story recounted several times by Dennis Edwards,[23] (rebutted by Otis Williams and Temptations road manager Don Foster),[25] after several of these stunts, the positive audience reactions and a remorseful Ruffin's pleas to be let back into the act convinced the other Temptations to do so. Reunion ‎(Cass, Album, Dol) Motown 460-15-033 Germany 1982. The "Elgins" name re-surfaced at Motown in 1965, when Gordy renamed a quartet called the Downbeats as the Elgins. Enjoy. The Temptations, after a brief spell at Atlantic Records in the late 1970s, resigned with Motown, in 1980.In 1982, reunited with three of their former lead singers, David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks and Dennis Edwards, the group, now a seven-piece act, began a reunion tour. Ali Woodson remained with the Temptations until 1987, when he was fired for consistent lateness. Bryant continued to perform in a number of other local groups, and died at the age of 36 in Flagler County, Florida, of liver cirrhosis on October 26, 1975.[17]. With their distinct harmonies, choreography, & flashy wardrobe, the group was highly influential in the evolution R&B and soul music. Paul Williams, who suffered from sickle-cell disease, fell into depression because of the stress of touring and personal issues. The group's work with producer Norman Whitfield, beginning with the Top 10 hit single "Cloud Nine" in October 1968, pioneered psychedelic soul, and was significant in the evolution of R&B and soul music. With their distinct harmonies, choreography, & flashy wardrobe, the group was highly influential in the evolution R&B and soul music. [16] Though Ruffin's brother, Jimmy was also considered for the slot, David was selected following his performance with them in 1963. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Anthology: The Temptations is one of three greatest hits collections released by Motown Records covering the work of soul / R&B group The Temptations. However, producer Smokey Robinson saw potential in the "mellow yet gruff" voice of David Ruffin, and thought that if he could write the perfect song for his lead, then the group could have a Top 10 hit.[18]. More Temptations psychedelic soul singles followed 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", and "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)", but the formula began to wear thin when "Ungena Za Ulimwengu (Unite the World)", only went to number 33 Pop in the fall of 1970. Ain't Too Proud to Beg: The Troubled Lives and Enduring Soul of the Temptations, Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, pp. Two years of under-performing singles and albums followed, including an eponymous album with Philadelphia-based producer Thom Bell, until Motown began planning a Temptations reunion tour in 1982. To place an order or for customer service, call toll-free 1-800-336-4627 or outside the United States, call 1-610-649-7565 The Temptations were a phenomenal group. The Temptations discography The Temptations perform on The Ed … Lead vocalists are identified for each of the following singles. [50], The lawsuits were consolidated, and the judges ruled in favor of the defendants, and the ruling was upheld when the plaintiffs appealed in 2001. Good question. The Temptations originally hired Ricky Owens, from the Los Angeles-based vocal group the Vibrations, to replace Kendricks. The Temptations were ranked at number 68 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 100 Greatest Artists of all time. [citation needed]. As such, hit singles by Motown artists such as the Temptations never achieved official "gold" or "platinum" RIAA certification until after Motown joined the RIAA in 1977. Also in 1998, three months after the release of Phoenix Rising earlier in the year, de Passe Entertainment (run by former Motown vice-president Suzanne de Passe) and Hallmark Entertainment produced The Temptations, a four-hour television miniseries based on Otis Williams' Temptations autobiography. Complete your The Temptations collection. "Sunshine on a Cloudy Day". [27][28] As his physical and mental health began to decline sharply, it made performing increasingly difficult. You know, when we think about '60s rock icons that we lost to booze and drugs, we think of Hendrix, Joplin, and Morrison. [14] Though "Come On" was a local hit in the Detroit area, the Distants never saw much record sales, and "Alright" was not as successful. Lead vocalists are identified for each of the following singles. During this period, the group toured with Quiet Elegance as their back-up singers. 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 such as James Brown, Wilson Pickett, and the performers at Stax Records. This collection of songs leans more toward the pop format. The earliest Temptations recordings backed by Motown's stalwart studio band, the Funk Brothers, reflect the influence of producers Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson, and featured a cohesive blend of black rhythm and blues along with elements of white pop music that later came to be known as the Motown Sound. However, this lineup did not last, as Davis was diagnosed with lung cancer[44] and left shortly after completing the album. Who else but the Temptations could release the peerless teen love ballad "My Girl" and the cinematic, psychedelic funk of "Papa Was a Rolling Stone"? History Photo courtesy of the Motown Museum THE TEMPTATIONSA RETROSPECTIVE: IN BRIEF The Temptations’ story is an epic journey of courage, struggle, triumphs, setbacks, and ultimately, international superstardom. The most famous of these, the Temptation Walk, or Temptation Strut, was adapted from similar moves by the Flamingos and the Vibrations, from those two sources, Atkins and Williams crafted the resulting signature dance routine. It is by "the Original Lead Singers of the Temptations," a sextet consisting of Eddie Kendricks, who really was an original lead singer of the Temptations; Dennis Edwards, who served two stints in the group, the first beginning in 1968 when he replaced David Ruffin; Damon Harris, who replaced Kendricks in the group in 1971; and three other singers with no connection to the Temptations … I think I was too excited and expected a longer show, but considering that they performed non-stop for about an hour and 15 minutes it still was worth the money and I had great seats. The first single from Still Here, "First Kiss", was criticized for having instances of using Auto-Tune technology. [31] Kendricks later stated that he actually considered leaving as early as 1965, but remained with the Temptations and unsuccessfully attempted to get permission to record a solo album without leaving the group.[32]. 85–95. On Lead: Melvin Franklin. TemptationsSoundstage, Chicago 1979Otis WilliamsMelvin FranklinRichard StreetGlenn LeonardLouis Price Under that name, the group auditioned for Motown in March 1961. The group continued as a quartet for a short time before recruiting bass Harry McGilberry, a former member of the Futures. Eddie Kendricks became detached from the group after David Ruffin's firing and as the health of Paul Williams continued to fail. The Temptations were the first Motown recording act to win a Grammy Award – for "Cloud Nine" in 1969[6] – and in 2013 received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Included on the Sky's the Limit LP along with the original album version of "Smiling Faces Sometimes", "Just My Imagination" was released as a single in January 1971, and the song began steadily climbing the US pop singles chart, peaking at number 1 two months later. The Temptations er ei kjent vokalgruppe fra USA med repertoar innen rhythm and blues, doo-wop, funk, disco og soul.Gruppa, som stort sett har vært en kvintett, blei stifta i 1961 og har altså nå (2009) eksistert i nærmere femti år – riktig nok med skiftende besetning.Det er bare Otis Williams av de opprinnelige medlemmene som fortsatt er i live. Peoples was fired from the group before the release of Phoenix Rising because of issues with drug addiction,[47] and was replaced by Barrington "Bo" Henderson. However, when Ruffin failed to show up on time the next night for his "return" engagement, the group kept Edwards on and ceased to entertain the prospect of rehiring Ruffin. Billboard ranked the record as the #24 song of 1970. Williams and Romanowski (1988), pp. Complete your The Temptations collection. The tour was in fact carried out, but production on the album was canceled when 50-year-old David Ruffin died in Philadelphia after a cocaine overdose on June 1, 1991. [63][64] Herndon's replacement is Willie Green, who had previously toured with former Temptations Richard Street and Ali-Ollie Woodson. All Temptations albums until 1987 were on the Gordy label except for the four Supremes/Temptations collaborative albums, which were released on Motown, and the two Atlantic Records releases. By the early 1990s, bass Melvin Franklin began missing performances due to failing health and Ray Davis, former bass man of Parliament-Funkadelic, began touring as a fill-in during 1993. Discover releases, reviews, credits, songs, and more about The Temptations - The Temptations at Discogs. The group's other important albums from this period included Puzzle People (1969) and Psychedelic Shack (1970). [11] Between these releases, Albert "Mooch" Harrell replaced Pee-Wee Crawford. The initial release was a vinyl three-LP set issued on August 23, 1973, which covered the group's work up to that point. As of 2021[update], the Temptations continue to perform with founder Otis Williams in the lineup (Williams owns the rights to the Temptations name). [citation needed]. After a brief diversion into disco in the late-1970s, the Temptations settled into a form of an adult contemporary-rooted type of R&B, a style in which they continue to record. [42], Success continued to elude the group at Atlantic, however. From this point on, the Temptations focused almost exclusively on songs about romance. As a matter of fact, this album churned out seven chart hit singles -- or rather, they were included on this collection, as singles wagged the album dog back in those days. These acts and others, showed the influence of the Temptations in both their vocal performances and their onstage choreography. After The Temptations Do the Temptations was recorded in 1976, Edwards was fired from the group,[41] and with new lead Louis Price on board, they left Motown for Atlantic Records.