The Temptations
Wikimp3 information about the music of The Temptations. On our website we have 70 albums and 70 collections of artist The Temptations. You can find useful information and download songs of this artist. We also know that The Temptations represents Soul genres.
Biography
[Edit]Thanks to their fine-tuned choreography — and even finer harmonies — the Temptations became the definitive male vocal group of the 1960s; one of Motown's most elastic acts, they tackled both lush pop and politically charged funk with equal flair, and weathered a steady stream of changes in personnel and consumer tastes with rare dignity and grace. The Temptations' initial five-man lineup formed in Detroit in 1961 as a merger of two local vocal groups, the Primes and the Distants. Baritone Otis Williams, Elbridge (aka El, or Al) Bryant, and bass vocalist Melvin Franklin were longtime veterans of the Detroit music scene when they joined together in the Distants, who in 1959 recorded the single "Come On" for the local Northern label. Around the same time, the Primes, a trio comprised of tenor Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams (no relation to Otis), and Kell Osborne, relocated to the Motor City from their native Alabama; they quickly found success locally, and their manager even put together a girl group counterpart dubbed the Primettes. (Later, three of the Primettes — Diana Ross, Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard — formed the Supremes).
In 1961, the Primes disbanded, but not before Otis Williams saw them perform live, where he was impressed both by Kendricks' vocal prowess and Paul Williams' choreography skills. Soon, Otis Williams, Paul Williams, Bryant, Franklin, and Kendricks joined together as the Elgins; after a name change to the Temptations, they signed to the Motown subsidiary Miracle, where they released a handful of singles over the ensuing months. Only one, the 1962 effort "Dream Come True," achieved any commercial success, however, and in 1963, Bryant either resigned or was fired after physically attacking Paul Williams. The Tempts' fortunes changed dramatically in 1964 when they recruited tenor David Ruffin to replace Bryant; after entering the studio with writer/producer Smokey Robinson, they emerged with the pop smash "The Way You Do the Things You Do," the first in a series of 37 career Top Ten hits. With Robinson again at the helm, they returned in 1965 with their signature song, "My Girl," a number one pop and R&B hit; other Top 20 hits that year included "It's Growing," "Since I Lost My Baby," "Don't Look Back," and "My Baby."
In 1966, the Tempts recorded another Robinson hit, "Get Ready," before forgoing his smooth popcraft for the harder-edged soul of producers Norman Whitfield and Brian Holland. After spotlighting Kendricks on the smash "Ain't Too Proud to Beg," the group allowed Ruffin to take control over a string of hits including "Beauty's Only Skin Deep" and "(I Know) I'm Losing You." Beginning around 1967, Whitfield assumed full production control, and their records became ever rougher and more muscular, as typified by the 1968 success "I Wish It Would Rain." After Ruffin failed to appear at a 1968 live performance, the other four Tempts fired him; he was replaced by ex-Contour Dennis Edwards, whose less polished voice adapted perfectly to the psychedelic-influenced soul period the group entered following the success of the single "Cloud Nine." As the times changed, so did the group, and as the 1960s drew to a close, the Temptations' music became overtly political; in the wake of "Cloud Nine" — its title a thinly veiled drug allegory — came records like "Run Away Child, Running Wild," "Psychedelic Shack," and "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)."
After the chart-topping success of the gossamer ballad "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)" in 1971, Kendricks exited for a solo career. Soon, Paul Williams left the group as well; long plagued by alcoholism and other personal demons, he was eventually discovered dead from a self-inflected gunshot wound on August 17, 1973, at the age of 34. In their stead, the remaining trio recruited tenors Damon Harris and Richard Street; after the 1971 hit "Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are)," they returned in 1972 with the brilliant number one single "Papa Was a Rolling Stone." While the Tempts hit the charts regularly throughout 1973 with "Masterpiece," "Let Your Hair Down," and "The Plastic Man," their success as a pop act gradually dwindled as the '70s wore on. After Harris exited in 1975 (replaced by tenor Glenn Leonard), the group cut 1976's The Temptations Do the Temptations, their final album for Motown. With Louis Price taking over for Edwards, they signed to Atlantic, and attempted to reach the disco market with the LPs Bare Back and Hear to Tempt You.
After Edwards returned to the fold (resulting in Price's hasty exit), the Temptations re-entered the Motown stable, and scored a 1980 hit with "Power." In 1982, Ruffin and Kendricks returned for Reunion, which also included all five of the current Temptations; a tour followed, but problems with Motown, as well as personal differences, cut Ruffin's and Kendricks' tenures short. In the years that followed, the Temptations continued touring and recording, although by the '90s they were essentially an oldies act; only Otis Williams, who published his autobiography in 1988, remained from the original lineup. The intervening years were marked by tragedy: after touring in the late '80s with Kendricks and Edwards as a member of the "Tribute to the Temptations" package tour, Ruffin died on June 1, 1991, after overdosing on cocaine; he was 50 years old. On October 5, 1992, Kendricks died at the age of 52 of lung cancer, and on February 23, 1995, 52-year-old Franklin passed away after suffering a brain seizure. In 1998, the Temptations returned with Phoenix Rising; that same year, their story was also the subject of a well-received NBC television mini-series. Ear-Resistable followed in the spring of 2000 and would win the Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance the following year. In 2004, Legacy became their last album for Motown as 2006’s Reflections was released by New Door. The label also released their 2007 effort, Back to Front, which featured new recordings of soul classics from the '60s and '70s. After three years of touring the globe, they returned with Still Here, which was issued on the eve of their 50th anniversary.
Title: Hum Along And Dance - More Of The Best 1963-1974
Artist: The Temptations
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Funk
Title: Lost & Found:The Temptations: You've Got To Earn It (1962-1968)
Artist: The Temptations
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B
Title: Million Sellers By the Temptations
Artist: The Temptations
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Rock, Pop, Funk
Title: Joined Together: The Complete Studio Duets
Artist: Diana Ross, The Temptations, Supremes
Title: Phoenix Rising
Artist: The Temptations
Genre: Electronica, Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Rock, Dancefloor, Dance Pop
Title: The Best of the Temptations Live!
Artist: The Temptations
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Rock, Pop, Funk
Title: The Temptations Show (The Original TV Soundtrack) [Live]
Artist: The Temptations
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Theatre/Soundtrack
Collections
Title: '70s Love Song Essentials (CD2)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rock, Punk Rock, Pop
Title: First Dance Essentials 2021 (CD1)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rap, Indie Rock, Pop, Alternative, Songwriter/Lyricist
Title: Mastermix DJ Edits Volume 20
Genre: Post Disco, Rave, Hip Hop/R&B, Rap, Soul, Blues, World Music, Disco, Pop, Synth Pop
Title: 225 DJ Loaded - Gradient Component (CD4)
Genre: Freestyle Music, Electro, Hip Hop/R&B, Dancehall, World Music, Latin, Trap
Title: Surround Intentions Sound Dance 2021 (CD3)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Synth Pop
Title: Top 84 Funk Hits Spotify 2020 (CD1)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Gospel, Rock, Punk Rock, Country, Disco, Funk, Classical
Title: Top 84 Funk Hits Spotify 2020 (CD2)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Gospel, Rock, Punk Rock, Country, Disco, Funk, Classical
Title: NOW Christmas Classics
Title: 100 Greatest Classic Soul Songs (CD1)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B
Title: 100 Greatest Classic Soul Songs (CD2)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B
Title: Single 83 HD
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Jazz, Rock, Punk Rock, Country, Pop, Alternative, Indie, Classical
Title: Hear That R&B Music I Love, Vol. 16
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Rockabilly
Title: In My Feelings: Lyric Rnb Compilation (CD2)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul
Title: Family Royalty
Title: New Years Eve 2021 (CD2)
Genre: Rock, Punk Rock, Dancefloor, Pop, Dance Pop
Title: 100 Greatest Holiday Entertaining Songs (CD2)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Jazz, Rock, Punk Rock, Pop
Title: Christmas In The Desert
Title: It's Christmas 2021 (CD1)
Genre: Jazz, Vocal Jazz, Country, Traditional Pop Music, Easy Listening
Title: Christmas Jazz, Blues & Soul 2021
Genre: Soul, Blues, Jazz, Traditional Pop Music
Title: Mastermix 70s Funk Sessions
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Disco, Synth Pop, Theatre/Soundtrack, Funk
Title: 60s Nostalgia
Title: Best Christmas Playlist Ever 2021 (CD1)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rock, Punk Rock, Dancefloor, Pop, Dance Pop
Title: Untitled Playlist Funk (CD1)
Title: The Real 70s Sound
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rock, Punk Rock, Dancefloor, Pop, Dance Pop
Title: Christmas Hits The Ultimate Collection (CD1)
Genre: Pop
Title: Christmas Hits The Ultimate Collection (CD2)
Genre: Pop
Title: Christmas Hits The Ultimate Collection (CD4)
Genre: Pop
Title: Julmusik 100 Klassiker (CD2)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rock, Punk Rock, Dancefloor, Pop, Dance Pop
Title: Julhits 2021 (CD2)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rock, Punk Rock, Dancefloor, Pop, Dance Pop
Title: The Christmas Songs 2022 (CD4)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Rock, Punk Rock, Pop
Title: Blues Happy Christmas 2021
Genre: Blues
Title: The # 1 Smoochin' (CD2)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Pop, Funk
Title: Seventies On Dance, Vol. 1
Genre: Nu Disco
Title: 90s R&B Essentials
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul
Title: 60s Chill Tunes
Genre: Pop
Title: All Out 60s (CD1)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Jazz, Rock, Punk Rock, Pop
Title: Summer Wedding 2022
Title: Motown Collected
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Funk
Title: Soft 60s (CD1)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rock, Punk Rock, Pop
Title: Soft 60s (CD3)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Rock, Punk Rock, Pop
Title: Absolute Doo Wop
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul
Title: Happy Soul For Kids
Genre: Soul
Title: Low Key Classic R&B For Kids
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B
Title: 1960s Classic R&B For Kids
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B
Title: 1970s For Kids
Genre: Pop
Title: Chill R&B For Kids
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B
Title: Dreamy Classic R&B For Kids
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B
Title: Funk For Kids
Genre: Kids
Title: 1970s Funk For Kids
Title: 1970s Happy For Kids
Genre: Kids
Title: 1970s Postive For Kids
Genre: Kids
Title: 60 Top-Hits: Body & Soul (3CD Box Set) (CD2)
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Pop, Funk
Title: Lowrider Oldies Cruisin: Chrome Series Vol. 3
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B
Title: 60s Summer Hits
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Pop, Funk
Featuring albums
Title: The Definitive Rod Stewart
Artist: Rod Stewart
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Blues, Rock, Folk Rock, Hard Rock, Rock & Roll, Heavy Metal, Country, Pop, Pop Rock, Songwriter/Lyricist, Psychedelic
Title: Number 1's: Diana Ross & The Supremes
Artist: Diana Ross, Supremes
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Rock, Pop, Teen Pop
Title: Diana Ross & The Supremes: Anthology
Artist: Diana Ross, Supremes
Title: 50th Anniversary - The Singles Collection 1961-1969
Artist: Diana Ross, Supremes
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Rock, Pop, Teen Pop
Title: The Definitive Rod Stewart (Deluxe Version)
Artist: Rod Stewart
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Blues, Rock, Folk Rock, Hard Rock, Rock & Roll, Heavy Metal, Country, Pop, Songwriter/Lyricist, Psychedelic
Title: The Season for Miracles
Artist: Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Traditional Pop Music
Title: Supremes (2000 Box Set)
Artist: Supremes
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Rock, Punk Rock, Disco, Pop, Teen Pop
Title: Diana Ross & The Supremes: The Definitive Collection
Artist: Diana Ross, Supremes
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul
Title: The Essential NOW That's What I Call Christmas
Artist: Various Artists
Genre: Traditional Pop Music
Title: Men of Honor (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture)
Artist: Men Of Honor
Genre: Theatre/Soundtrack
Title: The Definitive Rod Stewart (Premium Version)
Artist: Rod Stewart
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Blues, Rock, Folk Rock, Hard Rock, Rock & Roll, Heavy Metal, Country, Pop, Songwriter/Lyricist, Psychedelic
Title: The Ultimate Motown Christmas Collection
Artist: Various Artists
Genre: Traditional Pop Music
Title: Best of Rock 'n' Roll Music - 100 Greatest Originals Hits from the 50s & 60s
Artist: Various Artists
Genre: Rock
Title: Hitsville USA - The Motown Singles Collection 1959-1971
Artist: Various Artists
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul
Title: Dead Presidents Volume II / Music From The Motion Picture
Artist: Various Artists
Genre: Theatre/Soundtrack
Title: 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best Of The '60s
Artist: Various Artists
Genre: Pop
Title: Hitsville USA, The Motown Collection 1972-1992
Artist: Various Artists
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul
Title: Motown: The Musical - The Classic Songs That Inspired The Broadway Show!
Artist: Various Artists
Genre:
Title: The Best Doo Wop Collection Ever - 100 Unforgettable Tracks
Artist: Various Artists
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B
Title: Best Of Motown Christmas/20th Century Christmas
Artist: Various Artists
Genre: Traditional Pop Music