The Temptations
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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: Anthology: The Best Of The Temptations (CD1)
Artist: The Temptations
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Blues, Disco, Funk
Collections
Title: The Classic 60s Songbook
Genre: Pop
Title: 10 Must Have Soul Hits From the '70s
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Pop
Title: Vinyl Hits: The 60s
Title: #1 Smash Hits
Genre: Pop
Title: Pop Memories: The 60s
Genre: Pop
Title: Doo Wop is Hot - Volume 2
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Rock
Title: What's Going On: 60s Classic Hits
Genre: Pop
Title: St. Valentine's Day Soul Classics
Genre: Pop
Title: A Collection of 16 Original Big Hits, Vol. 3
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul
Title: Good Vibrations: Journey Through The 60s
Genre: Pop
Title: My Baby Rocks! 70's Rock Classics!
Genre: Pop
Title: Bend Me, Shape Me - 10 Big Hits
Genre: Pop
Title: My Record Collection: Deep Cuts/The 60s
Genre: Pop
Title: Kansas City 60s Smash Hits
Genre: Pop
Title: A Motown Christmas Carol
Genre:
Title: Modern Art of Music: Wedding Album
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Pop
Title: Modern Art of Music: Wedding Album
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul, Pop
Title: The Greatest Hits 1960 To 1980
Genre: Pop
Title: NOW (That's What I Call Christmas), Vol. 4
Genre: Pop
Title: Songs for the Car
Genre: Kids
Title: Pussycat Loves The '60s
Title: Music of Your Life
Title: Valentine's Day: The 60's Love Song Collection
Genre: Pop
Title: Absolutely the Best of AM Radio: 60's Edition
Genre: Rock, Rock & Roll, Pop
Title: '70s Radio Hits
Title: 60's Music Revolution
Genre: Pop
Title: My Girl: Solid Gold 60s Hits
Genre: Pop
Title: Big 60s Hits Volume 3
Genre: Rock
Title: My Record Collection: The 70s
Genre: Rock, Hard Rock, Rock & Roll, Heavy Metal, Pop, Psychedelic
Title: 45 RPM the 60s Hits
Genre: Pop
Title: Cool Hits of the 60s
Title: Hits from the Classic Era, Vol. 3
Genre: Pop
Title: Hits from the Classic Era, Vol. 4
Genre: Pop
Title: Absolutely The Best Of The Psychedelic 60s!
Genre: Pop
Title: Doo Wop Desirables
Genre: Pop
Title: Papa Was A Rolling Stone: Soul 70s Hits
Genre: Pop
Title: Ultimate Soul Collection
Genre: Pop
Title: Twisting In the 60s
Genre: Rock
Title: Super Hits The 60s
Genre: Pop
Title: The Sweet Soul Album
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul
Title: The Best of Soul Volume 2
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul
Title: Hits from the Classic Era, Vol. 2
Genre: Pop
Title: Magical Motown Memories, Vol. 3
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul
Title: Motown Unreleased 1962: Guys, Vol. 2
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul
Title: Best of Pop Vol. 2
Genre: Pop
Title: Motown Remixed & Unmixed
Genre: Hip Hop/R&B, Soul
Title: The Greatest 60s Rock 'N' Roll Party In The World!
Genre: Pop
Title: Lava Lamp Hits
Genre: Pop
Title: Solid Gold: The Soul Collection
Genre: Pop
Title: Show & Tell '70s Gold & Platinum
Genre: Pop
Title: American Top 40 Volume 1
Genre: Pop
Title: Soul Hits of the 70s Didn't I Blow Your Mind
Genre: Pop
Title: 40 Golden Greats!
Title: On the Soul Side Classic 60s Hits
Genre: Pop
Title: 25 Soul Classics: The Sixties
Genre: Pop
Title: Greatest Big Hits of 1962, Vol. 9
Genre: Pop
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