Biography for the temptations

American rhythm and blues group

For loftiness earlier vocal group of "Barbara" label, see The Temptations (New York verbal group).

The Temptations is an American oral group formed in Detroit, Michigan discern 1960 as The Elgins, known target their string of successful singles add-on albums with Motown from the Decade to the mid-1970s. The group's pointless with producer Norman Whitfield, beginning pick up again the Top 10 hit single "Cloud Nine" in October 1968, pioneered colourful soul, and was significant in character evolution of R&B and soul music.^[2] The group members were known target their choreography, distinct harmonies, and clothe style. Having sold tens of bundle of albums, the Temptations are in the midst the most successful groups in favoured music.^[3][4][5]

Featuring five male vocalists and dancers (save for brief periods with few or more members), the group's introduction members came from two rival City vocal groups: Otis Williams, Elbridge "Al" Bryant, and Melvin Franklin of (Otis Williams &) The Distants, and Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams of The Primes. In 1964, Bryant was replaced by David Ruffin, who was greatness lead vocalist on a number chuck out the group's biggest hits, including "My Girl" (1964), "Ain't Too Proud withstand Beg" (1966), and "I Wish Come after Would Rain" (1967).^[6] Ruffin was replaced in 1968 by Dennis Edwards, to whom the group continued to slant hit records such as "Cloud Nine" (1968), "I Can't Get Next combat You" (1969), and "Ball of Disarrangement (That's What the World Is Today)" (1970). Kendricks and Paul Williams both left the group in 1971, support subsequent members including Richard Street, Friend Harris, Glenn Leonard, Ron Tyson, topmost Ali-Ollie Woodson, the last of whom was the lead singer on late-period hit "Treat Her Like a Lady" in 1984 and the theme melody for the children's movement program Kids in Motion in 1987.

Over nobility course of their career, the Temptations released four Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles and fourteen R&B number-one singles. The group was the first Motown act to win a Grammy Honour – for "Cloud Nine" in 1969^[7] – and the Grammy Lifetime Deed Award, received in 2013.^[8] They won four Grammy Awards in total. Picture Temptations – specifically Edwards, Franklin, Kendricks, Ruffin, Otis Williams and Paul Settler – were inducted into the Teeter and Roll Hall of Fame cover 1989. Three Temptations songs, "My Girl", "Just My Imagination (Running Away portray Me)" (1971), and "Papa Was tidy Rollin' Stone" (1972), are included mid the Rock and Roll Hall hillock Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Stone and Roll. The Temptations were assembled No. 68 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time" in 2010. Populate 2023, the group were ranked Negation. 1 by Billboard magazine on academic list of the on the "100 Greatest R&B/Hip-Hop Artists Of All Time".^[9]

As of 2025^[update], The Temptations continue brand perform with Otis Williams in justness lineup, who is the group's mug surviving member. Williams owns the to "The Temptations" name.

History

Origins: alternative half of the 1950s

Eddie Kendricks endure Paul Williams started singing together weigh down church as children in Birmingham, Muskogean. By their teenage years, they cognizant a Doo-wop quartet in 1955 rigging Kell Osborne and Wiley Waller, identification themselves The Cavaliers.^[10]

After Waller left position group in 1957, the remaining triad left Birmingham to break into glory music business. The group settled enclose Detroit where they changed their label to The Primes under the train of Milton Jenkins. The Primes betimes became well known around the Motown area for their meticulous performances.^[11] Jenkins later created a sister group, The Primettes, later known as The Supremes. Kendricks was already seen as grand "matinee idol" in the Detroit cause to be in, while Williams was well received miserly his baritone vocals.^[10]

Meanwhile, concurrently, Texas poorer Otis Williams moved to Detroit makeover a youngster to be with potentate mother. By 1958, Williams was loftiness leader of a vocal group known as Otis Williams and the Siberians. Influence group included Elbridge "Al" Bryant, Saint "Pee-Wee" Crawford, Vernard Plain and Character Walton. The band recorded a sticky tag, "Pecos Kid" for a label scamper by radio deejay Senator Bristol Bryant.^[12] Shortly after its release, the faction changed its name to The Bore Domingoes. Subsequently, Montgomery native Melvin Historian replaced Arthur Walton as bass chorus-boy and Detroit-born Richard Street (claimed be oblivious to Melvin Franklin to be his cousin)^[13] replaced Vernard Plain as lead crooner. Signing with Johnnie Mae Matthews' North Records, the group had their label changed again to The Distants.

The group recorded two Northern Records singles including "Come On" (1959) and "Alright" (1960).^[14] Between these releases, "Come On" became a local hit, and prestige Warwick Records label picked the under wraps up for national distribution.^[14] Following leadership release of "Alright", Matthews appointed Clergyman the group leader, and the group's name was changed to Otis Dramatist & The Distants.^[15] During this time, both The Primes and The Distants were influenced by other vocal associations including The Miracles.^[16] Other inspirations play a part The Cadillacs, Frankie Lymon & description Teenagers, The Drifters, and The Isley Brothers.^[17] Though "Come On" was trig local hit in the Detroit protected area, The Distants never saw much transcribe sales, and "Alright" was not in this fashion successful. After receiving an offer hold up Berry Gordy to sign with Motown Records, The Distants got out livestock their contract with Northern Records. Nonetheless, James "Pee-Wee" Crawford and Richard High road shortly departed from the group delighted the remaining members lost use methodical "The Distant" name. Richard Street succeeding formed another 'Distants' band who taped for the Thelma label in grandeur early 1960s.^{[citation needed]}

Early years: 1960-1963

Members break into The Distants were acquainted with Prestige Primes, as both groups participated house the same talent shows and ideal at the same public venues. Isolate rivals, The Primes were considered withstand be the more polished and vocally stronger group of the two. Nevertheless, this last group disbanded in 1960 after Kell Osborne moved to Calif.. Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams mutual to Alabama following the band's descent. While visiting relatives in Detroit, Kendricks called Otis Williams, who desperately mandatory two more members for an examination for Gordy's label and offered Kendricks a lead singer place in that new group, which would also contain fellow former Distants members Franklin enjoin Bryant. Kendricks agreed on the extend he bring Paul Williams with him. Otis Williams happily agreed, and Kendricks and Paul Williams moved back bring out Detroit to join the new load.

The original name for the another lineup of Otis Williams, Melvin Scientist, Elbridge "Al" Bryant, Eddie Kendricks, lecture Paul Williams was The Elgins. Mess up that name, the group auditioned signify Motown in March 1961. Already hollow with some of the members tail hearing session work, Berry Gordy agreeing to sign the group to description Motown imprint, Miracle Records. However, heretofore signing, Gordy discovered another group was using the name of "Elgins". Leadership group began tossing about ideas tight spot a new name on the ranking of the Hitsville U.S.A. studio. Carnival a suggestion from Miracle Records staff member Billy Mitchell, songwriter Mickey Stevenson, nearby group members Otis Williams and Saul Williams, The Temptations became the group's new moniker.^[18] The "Elgins" name re-surfaced at Motown in 1965, when Gordy renamed a quartet called The Downbeats as The Elgins.

The Temptations' cap two singles, "Oh Mother of Mine" and "Check Yourself", with Paul Colonist on lead, were released on Marvel before Gordy closed the label hurt and reassigned the band to surmount latest imprint, Gordy Records. On rendering Gordy imprint, Eddie Kendricks sang pilot on The Temptations' first charted unattached, "(You're My) Dream Come True", which peaked at number 22 on honesty R&B chart in 1962. Later stroll year, The Temptations began touring bring in part of the Motortown Revue. Nobility group issued eight recordings between 1961 and 1963 without much success.

Paul Williams and Eddie Kendricks split primacy leads during this early period, adhere to Al Bryant, Otis Williams, and Melvin Franklin occasionally singing lead, as they did on a song titled "Isn't She Pretty". For a brief day, the group almost had their designation changed to The Pirates, and slipup that name they recorded the songs "Mind Over Matter" and "I'll Prize You Till I Die". Eventually excellence label and the group decided realize it. One hit song, "Do Sell something to someone Love Me", was originally to last recorded by The Temptations. When unquestionable couldn't get in contact with honesty group, Gordy produced a version muddle up The Contours. In 1963, The Temptations began working with Smokey Robinson chimp producer and writer. Robinson's first toil with the group was the Missioner Williams-led "I Want a Love Rabid Can See". While the song bed defeated to chart, it did eventually corner a popular live performance spot safe the group and particularly for Thankless Williams in general. Some called character group "The Hitless Temptations" due be required to their lack of hits.

During that time, David Ruffin began following blue blood the gentry group around as he aspired on two legs join them. During a local City performance, Ruffin joined the group onstage and impressed the group with cap vocal talent and dancing skills.^[19] Succeeding that same time, Al Bryant abstruse grown frustrated with the group's insufficiency of success and became restless pointer uncooperative, preferring the mundane routine disbursement his day job as a milkman over the rigors of rehearsal skull performing. After a second altercation onstage at a Christmas performance, following blueprint incident where he struck Paul meet a beer bottle during a moderately hot quarrel at an earlier gig wealthy the middle of the year, Bryant was summarily fired from the lesson. As a result, David Ruffin was brought in as his replacement come by January 1964.^[20] Though Ruffin's brother Jemmy was also considered for the footprint, David was selected following his musical with them in 1963.

Bryant prolonged to perform in a number hint other local groups and died old the age of 36 in Flagler County, Florida, of liver cirrhosis short-term October 26, 1975.^[21]

"Classic Five" Era: 1964-1968

The Temptations then consisted of Otis Clergyman, Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams, Eddie Kendricks, and David Ruffin; the success walk followed the group resulted in what would, in later years, be many a time referred to as the "Classic Five" lineup. In January 1964, Smokey Histrion and Miracles bandmate Bobby Rogers co-wrote and produced "The Way You Execute the Things You Do" with Eddie Kendricks on lead and the celibate became The Temptations' first Top 20 hit that April.

Shortly afterward, "The Way You Do The Things Complete Do" and several pre-David Ruffin singles were compiled into the group's leading album, Meet the Temptations, released send back early 1964. The next two Temptations singles in 1964, "Girl (Why Ready to react Wanna Make Me Blue)" along capable "I'll Be in Trouble" and cause dejection B-side "The Girl's Alright with Me", all featured Kendricks on lead (although Franklin sang one line in "I'll Be in Trouble"). 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 culminate lead, then the group could be blessed with a Top 10 hit.^[22]

While traveling renovation part of Motown's Motortown Revue posterior that year, Robinson and fellow Miracles member Ronnie White wrote "My Girl", which The Temptations recorded in authority fall of 1964 with Ruffin melodic his first lead vocal for honourableness group. Released as a single edge December 21, 1964, the song became The Temptations' first number-one pop violence in March 1965. Over 50 life and multiple chart topping songs following, it is still their signature tune to this day.

After the go well of "My Girl", Ruffin sang guide on the next three singles: "It's Growing", "Since I Lost My Baby", and "My Baby", which all appreciative it to the Top 20 seep out 1965. The B-side to "My Baby", "Don't Look Back", featured a emotion-charged lead from Paul Williams, and was a sleeper hit on the R&B charts and a standard for communication group playlists.

Norman Whitfield had on request on call the opportunity to write for loftiness group and in 1966, Berry Gordy promised him that if Robinson's "Get Ready", with Eddie Kendricks on heave, failed to chart in the Engrave 20, Whitfield would be allowed jab produce the next song. "Get Ready" subsequently missed its mark, so Gordy issued the Whitfield-produced "Ain't Too Pleased to Beg", with David Ruffin course of action lead, as the next single. "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" outperformed "Get Ready" on the Billboard charts, beginning Whitfield became The Temptations' new keep on producer. He began pulling the collection away from the ballad-based productions espoused by Robinson, toward a harder-edged charge brass-heavy soul sound reminiscent of Felon Brown.

Nearly all singles Whitfield be communicated prior to 1968 featured David Ruffin on lead, including the R&B number-one/pop Top 10 hits "Beauty Is Solitary Skin Deep", "(I Know) I'm Mislaying You"^[23] and the early 1967 mark down "(Loneliness Made Me Realize) It's Ready to react That I Need". Other important singles from this period include "All Hysterical Need", produced by Frank Wilson, natty Whitfield protégé, and the "You're Disheartened Everything", on which Kendricks and Ruffin share lead. Studio albums during ethics "Classic Five" period, apart from Meet the Temptations, include The Temptations Gratifying Smokey (1965), The Temptin' Temptations (1965), Gettin' Ready (1966), The Temptations look after a Lot o' Soul (1967), tell off The Temptations Wish It Would Rain (1968).

During this period, the diversified songwriting partners of Norman Whitfield be a factor Roger Penzabene, Edward Holland, Jr., subject The Temptations road show manager splendid guitarist Cornelius Grant. Subsequently, Barrett Tangy, who sang the first hit disapproval Motown in 1959, "Money (That's What I Want)", began working with Whitfield and Penzabene on The Temptations matter after Eddie Holland left Motown write down the rest of the Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting/production team in 1967. Two of rectitude Whitfield-Strong-Penzabene collaborations, "I Wish It Would Rain" and "I Could Never Liking Another (After Loving You)", became hits in early 1968 after the killing of Roger Penzabene in December 1967. Subsequently, Barrett Strong became the particular collaborator of Norman Whitfield.

From initially 1964 to mid-1968, The Temptations went from unknown hopefuls to international stars and as a result, appeared regularly on television shows such as American Bandstand, The Ed Sullivan Show, stand for The Hollywood Palace. At the selfsame time, the group began to develop a crossover popularity, catering to focal point America with a pop standards manual (The Temptations in a Mellow Mood, 1967), the success of which resulted in performances at the famous Copacabana in New York City along keep an eye on dates at other similar supper clubs. Outside of music, The Temptations were also made honorary members of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.

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

By 1967, David Ruffin had begun demanding public treatment as lead singer, riding upon and from gigs in a unauthorized mink-lined limousine with his then-girlfriend, Motown singer Tammi Terrell, instead of probity limousine used by the other pair bandmates. The other members slowly became irritated and annoyed with Ruffin's custom. Following Motown's decision to rechristen Integrity Supremes as Diana Ross & Dignity Supremes and Martha & the Vandellas as Martha Reeves & the Vandellas, Ruffin felt entitled to the total treatment, and demanded that his settle on be renamed as well to David Ruffin & The Temptations. Ruffin was also causing friction with Berry Gordy by demanding an accounting of probity group's earnings;^[24] Motown partially acquiesced timorous allowing The Temptations to retain brainstorm outside accounting firm, but the import did not have full access reverse the books from The Temptations' elder, International Talent Management, Inc., which was a subsidiary of Motown.^[24]

Some of that behavior was attributed to the fait accompli that by this time Ruffin difficult to understand begun using cocaine regularly, building newfound tension within the group and following him to miss a number past it group meetings, rehearsals, and concerts. Down was a consensus among the slumber of the group that Ruffin desired to be replaced. When Ruffin lost a June 1968 engagement at graceful Cleveland supper club in order anticipate attend a show by his unique girlfriend, Barbara Gail Martin (daughter introduce Dean Martin),^[25] the group decided make certain he had crossed the line. Magnanimity other four Temptations drew up permitted documentation, officially firing Ruffin on June 27, 1968.^[26] The next day, Dennis Edwards, a singer formerly of Excellence Contours that Eddie Kendricks and Discoverer Williams already had pegged as straight potential Ruffin replacement,^[27] was hired conjoin take Ruffin's place.

Edwards and Ruffin were good friends, and at good cheer, Ruffin accepted his dismissal and pleased Edwards. However, at Edwards' official first night with The Temptations in Valley Manufacture, Pennsylvania, on July 7, Ruffin came to the show and jumped onstage, taking the microphone from Edwards, melodious lead on "Ain't Too Proud be acquainted with Beg", and disappearing as quickly introduction he had appeared.^[28] Ruffin repeated that stunt several times throughout the group's July tour run. Despite the collection hiring extra security to keep Ruffin out, he continued to find immovable to sneak into the venue topmost jump onstage when the group superb one of the songs he locked away once sung lead on.^[28]

In a maverick recounted several times by Dennis Edwards^[27] (rebutted by Otis Williams and Honesty Temptations' road manager Don Foster),^[29] tail several of these stunts, the convinced audience reactions and a remorseful Ruffin's pleas to be let back smash into the act convinced the other Temptations members to do so. Otis Colonist informed the then still-new Edwards saunter the group would lay him facade and rehire Ruffin while in Gaithersburg, Maryland. However, when Ruffin failed strike show up on time the loan night for his "return" engagement, rendering group kept Edwards on and departed to entertain the prospect of rehiring Ruffin.^[27][29]

After Gaithersburg, Ruffin stopped attempting goslow disrupt The Temptations' concerts and in lieu of turned his attention to the Motown offices back in Detroit. He sued Motown in October 1968, seeking keen release from the label, but Motown countersued the singer to keep him from leaving and the case was eventually settled out of court.^[30] Representation settlement required Ruffin to remain liven up Motown as a solo artist manage finish out his contract.^[30]

Edwards' first tome with The Temptations was Live lessons the Copa, recorded at the group's return to the Copacabana nightclub. Excellence Temptations debuted in one of picture first of a number of collaborations with Diana Ross & The Supremes in 1968. The results included combine studio albums: Diana Ross & influence Supremes Join The Temptations (1968), which featured Edwards' first studio recordings make contact with the group and the number-two thrash single "I'm Gonna Make You Warmth Me" and "Together". There was too a joint tour and two NBC television specials, TCB (aired December 9, 1968) and G.I.T. on Broadway (aired November 12, 1969).

Switch to Motley soul: 1968-1970

The addition of Dennis Theologist to The Temptations coincided with excellence adoption of a new sound superfluous the group by producer Norman Whitfield, and in the fall of 1968, Whitfield began producing psychedelic-based material hunger for The Temptations, derived primarily from primacy sound of funk bands as Famously & the Family Stone and Funkadelic. This new style, which debuted line the Top 10 hit single "Cloud Nine"^[23] in October 1968, was a-ok marked departure from the David Ruffin-era ballads. The instrumentation was funkier, blue blood the gentry beat was hard-driving, and all quintuplet Temptations members traded lead vocals, homogenous to Sly & the Family Block. "Cloud Nine", the centerpiece of rectitude group's landmark eponymous album, was efficient Top 10 hit and won Motown its first Grammy Award, for Unexcelled R&B Vocal Group Performanceof 1969.

The blending of the Motown sound queue psychedelic rock sound resulted in clean up new subgenre of music called colourful soul, also evident in the tool of Diana Ross and The Supremes ("Reflections", "Love Child"), Marvin Gaye's incarnation of "I Heard It Through representation Grapevine", and music of The Ordinal Dimension, The Undisputed Truth, and Honourableness Friends of Distinction. More Temptations kaleidoscopic soul singles followed in 1969 status 1970 - among them "Runaway Babe, 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)" - however the formula began to wear add water to when "Ungena Za Ulimwengu (Unite illustriousness World)", only went to no. 33 Pop in the fall of 1970. The group's other important albums evacuate this period included Puzzle People (1969) and Psychedelic Shack (1970). The clank included the original version of "War", later made famous by Edwin Drummer.

Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams: 1969-1973

Paul Williams, who suffered from sickle-cell sickness, fell into depression because of dignity stress of touring and personal issues. By the late 1960s, he confidential developed a serious case of passion. Having never previously consumed anything drunk than milk, he began to beer quite heavily, and it was certain to take, according to Otis Williams.^[31][32] As his physical and mental trim began to decline sharply, it appreciative performing with his bandmates increasingly burdensome. Williams began traveling with oxygen tanks,^[31] and the other four Temptations people made valiant efforts to raid stomach drain his alcohol stashes.^[31]

In late 1969, Richard Street, lead singer of Motown act The Monitors and a ex- Distant, was hired by Otis Colonist to tour with the group gorilla a backup replacement for Williams.^[31][33] Solution most shows, save for his a cappella numbers, Williams danced and lip-synched do away with stage to parts sung live chunk Street into an offstage mic go beyond a curtain. At other shows, build up during most of the second divided of 1970, Street substituted Williams branch stage when he was too ailing to go on.^[34]

Eddie Kendricks became shrinking from the group after David Ruffin's firing and as the health in shape Paul Williams continued to fail. Take steps regularly picked fights with Otis Reverend and Melvin Franklin, which often became violent, and in addition, he favored the ballad material from the formerly days and was uncomfortable with nobility psychedelic soul material the group was now performing. Kendricks rekindled his affinity with Ruffin, who persuaded him tell somebody to go solo. He no longer mattup he had a say in Artificer Williams's handling of the group see was also convinced Motown's handling admire The Temptations' finances was cheating picture group out of money.^[35] Kendricks, tutor the only member to continue comprise alliance with Ruffin, also repeatedly noncompulsory that Ruffin should be allowed regain into the group, despite the concerning members' strong objections.

Kendricks lobbied powerfully in 1970 to have The Temptations go on "strike" – no acta b events, no recordings – until Berry Gordy and the Motown staff were compliant to go over all group funds with independent accountants.^[35] Otis Williams charge Franklin strongly opposed this idea, final regular group infighting between Kendricks, Industrialist Williams, and Franklin grew from that disagreement.^[35] After a November 1970 Copacabana engagement, a final confrontation between loftiness three caused Kendricks to walk distress in-between shows and not return. Both Kendricks and Williams then agreed lose concentration the first would be leaving righteousness group.^[35] Kendricks later stated that earth actually considered leaving as early whilst 1965, but remained with The Temptations and unsuccessfully attempted to get show willingness to record a solo album outofdoors leaving the group.^[36]

Before Kendricks officially maintain equilibrium The Temptations, he and Paul Colonist recorded the lead vocals for "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)", a ballad that became Kendricks' farewell single with the group. Included think it over the Sky's the Limit LP keep to with the original album version commemorate "Smiling Faces Sometimes", "Just My Imagination" was released as a single bother January 1971, and the song began steadily climbing the US pop singles chart, peaking at number 1 join months later. By the time "Just My Imagination" topped the charts, Kendricks had negotiated his release from illustriousness group and signed a solo distribute with Motown's Tamla label.

The Temptations originally hired Ricky Owens, from authority Los Angeles-based vocal group The Intensity, to replace Kendricks. However, Owens played three dates with the lot before he was fired for forgetting the words to his solo in large quantity due to nervousness.^[37] For several weeks of the spring of 1971, Description Temptations were without a fifth associate. Owens meanwhile returned to The Ardour and died in Los Angeles, Calif., on December 6, 1996, at honourableness age of 57.

Whitfield took position remaining Temptations quartet and re-recorded "It's Summer", the B-side to "Ball method Confusion (That's What the World Bash Today)", as a replacement single. "Smiling Faces Sometimes" was released as capital single for The Undisputed Truth alternatively, becoming a Top 5 hit card the Billboard Hot 100 in 1971. Meanwhile, "It's Summer" peaked at count 51 on the Billboard Hot Cardinal, making it the first Temptations individual to miss the Top 40 in that "Farewell My Love" eight years under.

After his doctor declared a juicy weeks later that he was unfit to continue performing for medical causes, Paul Williams quit The Temptations get through to May.^[38] Richard Street officially took Williams's place, although Williams continued to elect paid his customary one-fifth of label revenue (Street was paid on steady for the first eighteen months chastisement his tenure),^[39] and worked when oversight could with the group as apartment building adviser and choreographer. After Williams abstruse recovered enough to record again, perform recorded two sides in 1973 extend a debut solo single. However, trimness August 17, 1973, Williams died display Detroit at the age of 34 from a gunshot wound, his sort-out ruled a suicide by the Player County coroner.

Another genre change tip off funk: 1971-1976

In May 1971, The Temptations finally found a permanent replacement infer the first tenor position in twenty-year-old Baltimore native Damon Harris. Otis Settler, Edwards, Franklin, Street, and Harris protracted recording and performing, and Norman Whitfield continued producing hits for them. In the air were Top 40 hits such on account of "Superstar (Remember How You Got Spin You Are)" (1971), a message immigrant The Temptations to David Ruffin take Eddie Kendricks, and "Take a Skim Around" (1972). During this period, nobility group toured with Quiet Elegance trade in their back-up singers. Quiet Elegance featured Lois Reeves, the sister of Martha Reeves, alongside Frankie Gearing and Millie Vaney-Scott.

Late 1972 saw the emancipation of "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone", a magnum opus written by Linksman Whitfield and Barrett Strong and communicate by Whitfield. Originally a three-minute lean written and produced for The Beyond question Truth, Whitfield took the somber clean and created a sprawling, dramatic twelve-minute version for The Temptations - marvellous forerunner of the extended single - soon to become popular in clubs and discothèques. An edited seven-minute loathing was released as a single limit became one of the longest proof of payment singles in music history: it luck number 1 on the pop charts and number 5 on the R&B charts. In 1973, "Papa Was organized Rollin' Stone" won The Temptations their second Grammy for Best R&B Read by a Group. Whitfield and arranger/conductor Paul Riser won the award acknowledge Best R&B Instrumental Performance for influence instrumental version on the B-side, existing Whitfield and Barrett Strong won glory songwriting Grammy for Best R&B Ventilate.

After "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone", Whitfield stopped working with Barrett Annoying, and began writing The Temptations' information on his own. The success longawaited such single led Whitfield to launch more elongated, operatic pieces, including depiction Top 10 hit "Masterpiece" (1973) dominant several of the tracks on position resulting eponymous album. Tensions developed among Whitfield and the group, who figure Whitfield arrogant and difficult to prepare with. Citing his habitual tardiness, jurisdiction emphasis of the instrumental tracks refer to the expense of their vocals captivate many of his productions, and goodness declining singles and albums sales monkey other sources of conflict, the development sought to change producers.^[40] Otis Dramatist complained about Whitfield's actions and Integrity Temptations' stagnant sales to Berry Gordy; as a result, the group was reassigned to Jeffrey Bowen, co-producer take in the 1967 In a Mellow Mood album.^[40]

The final Norman Whitfield-produced Temptations tome, 1990, was released in December 1973, and included the Top 30 inimitable "Let Your Hair Down". Shortly in the end, Whitfield left Motown, and in 1975 established Whitfield Records, taking with him The Undisputed Truth and Willie Pound, along with Rose Royce, who taped in 1976 the hit "Car Wash". The last track Whitfield produced funding the group was the single "Let Your Hair Down", released in 1973.

Further switch to Adult Contemporary: 1975-1980

Bowen's first LP with The Temptations was January 1975's A Song for You, which included a cover of leadership titular Leon Russell tune (popularized momentous soul audiences by Donny Hathaway), far ahead with the pop Top 40/R&B number-one hits "Happy People" (featuring the Commodores as the instrumentalists) and "Shakey Ground" (featuring instrumentation by Parliament-Funkadelic's Eddie Hazelnut along with Billy Bass Nelson). "Glasshouse", the group's final Top 40 Bulge hit, was also included. Damon Writer was fired from the group via the recording of A Song look after You, as his behavior and get something done ethic were deemed unprofessional,^[41] and crown replacement was Washington, D.C. native Cosmonaut Leonard, formerly of the Unifics.^[42]

A back issue of producers, including Bowen, Brian Holland, James Anthony Carmichael, and even Integrity Temptations themselves tried producing hits signify the next three LPs, House Party (November 1975), Wings of Love (March 1976), and The Temptations Do birth Temptations (August 1976). However, none more than a few these recordings were as commercially comfortable as A Song for You, tube none of their associated singles entered the Billboard charts.^[43]

As time progressed, Bowen pushed Dennis Edwards further to birth front of the group. This was evident on Wings of Love, vicinity several tracks featured Edwards' vocal finer prominently than the other Temptations authorization vocals.^[44] Otis Williams felt that that was hurting the group, accused Motown of inattention, and cited this gorilla the reason for the group's deteriorating sales and popularity. After The Temptations Do the Temptations was recorded disintegrate 1976, Edwards was fired from description group,^[45] and with new lead Gladiator Price on board, they left Motown for Atlantic Records.^[46]

Success continued to duck the group at Atlantic, however. Their two releases on Atlantic – Hear to Tempt You (1977), and Bare Back (1978), along with their connected singles - had failed to match any better at Atlantic than their last handful of singles had test Motown. As a result, in 1979, Atlantic released the group from fraudulence contract,^[44] and shortly afterwards, The Temptations met once again with Smokey Player and Berry Gordy, who re-signed say publicly group to Motown in 1980.^[47]

Return infer Motown Records and Reunion: 1982-1983

Upon glory return to Motown several lineup undulate occurred. Louis Price departed from position group and joined The Drifters. Dennis Edwards - who had made phony unsuccessful attempt at developing a 1 career during his three-year exit shake off the group - returned to righteousness lineup. Berry Gordy co-wrote and settle "Power", The Temptations' first single underneath the new contract. This song, detach from the album of the same designation, hit no. 11 on the R&B charts but failed to chart charge the Top 40. Two years as a result of under-performing singles and albums followed, plus an eponymous album with Philadelphia-based creator Thom Bell, until Motown began intention a Temptations reunion tour in 1982.

Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin firm to rejoin the group for probity new album, aptly titled Reunion, stream its subsequent promotional tour. Rick Book, the Motown funk star who locked away previously used The Temptations as blessing vocalists on his 1981 hit "Super Freak" and whom Franklin claimed whilst his nephew,^[13] wrote, produced, and guested on the Reunion album's lead one and only, "Standing on the Top". The individual went to no. 6 on glory R&B charts and featured Ruffin, Kendricks and Edwards trading back and far on lead.

While the ensuing Reunion tour with all seven Temptations (Ruffin, Kendricks, Otis Williams, Franklin, Edwards, Richard Street, and Glenn Leonard) was financially successful, it ended up being precise stressful venture: Kendricks' voice had injured after decades of chain smoking, Ruffin (still addicted to drugs) missed neat as a pin number of the performances due see to being incapacitated, and current group employees Dennis Edwards and Glenn Leonard were causing problems. At the conclusion nigh on the Reunion tour, Ruffin and Kendricks were dismissed, and they began trek and performing together as a span.

One more album, Surface Thrills, insecure in 1983, featured a sharp going in the group's sound by covering elements of then-current rock. Following warmth release, Glenn Leonard was let hoof it and replaced by Ron Tyson, who was with the Philadelphia groups rectitude Ethics and Love Committee. Tyson challenging been a staff songwriter at Ocean during The Temptations' tenure at make certain label, and co-wrote several songs treaty the album Hear to Tempt You.

Autobiography and induction into the Shake and Roll Hall of Fame: blue blood the gentry 1980s

By this time, The Temptations' releases were no longer performing well sacrament the pop charts, though some singles still made the R&B Top 20. "Love on My Mind Tonight", tidy single from Surface Thrills, charted authorized no. 17.

The lineup of Author, Williams, Street, Tyson, and Edwards evidenced to be short-lived. The five superior on Motown 25 and released say publicly direct to videoThe Temptations: Live show Concert (filmed at Harrah's Atlantic City). The album Back to Basics, free later in 1983, was the be foremost album featuring Ron Tyson on advantage. The song "Sail Away", produced indifferent to a returning Norman Whitfield and featuring Ron Tyson's first lead vocal, paling at no. 13 on the Austere R&B chart.

In addition, a then-relatively unknown singer/musician, Ali-Ollie Woodson was featured on one track, "Stop the False Right Here (I Wanna Get Off)". Woodson was a Detroit native who had been a potential candidate survey replace Dennis Edwards back in 1977. Meanwhile, Edwards (who also had diadem share of lead vocals on interpretation Back to Basics album) was discharged again in 1984, for missing rehearsals or showing up hungover. He expand attempted a second solo career, attain a hit with the 1984 matchless "Don't Look Any Further", a duo with Siedah Garrett.

At this playhouse, Woodson officially joined the group, compelling Edwards' place. Woodson's first lead barney a single was 1984's "Treat Permutation Like a Lady", co-written by bodily and Otis Williams, and co-produced rough former Earth, Wind & Fire associates Al McKay and Ralph Johnson. High-mindedness song became their biggest success lay waste R&B radio since 1975, reaching number-two on the R&B charts, and grouchy missing the Pop Top 40 within reach no. 48. The group enjoyed spanking successes with 1985's "Do You In actuality Love Your Baby", a no. 14 R&B hit co-written by soul knowledge Luther Vandross, and 1986's "Lady Soul", the group's third Top 10 R&B hit of the decade.

Ali Woodson remained with The Temptations until 1987, when he was fired for in keeping lateness. He was replaced by representation again-returning Dennis Edwards. The group taped one album during Edwards' third tenancy, Together Again, released later that class. In 1988, Otis Williams published jurisdiction autobiography, Temptations, co-written with Patricia Romanowski, chronicling the careers of the unit from The Primes/Distants days and direction on the lives of Williams with Melvin Franklin. (An updated version elect the book was published in 2002.) Together, they worked on the matter song to the children's educational lyrical movement series, Kids in Motion conceived by Greg & Steve.

Edwards was fired from the group for influence third and final time in unite 1988, with Woodson re-joining the roster. In 1989, The Temptations released character album Special, which included the moving singles "Special" and "Soul to Soul". On January 18, 1989, The Temptations were inducted into the Rock extract Roll Hall of Fame. The stop honored Edwards, Franklin, Otis Williams, Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks (now performing as "Eddie Kendrick"), and, posthumously, Paul Williams. Escalate of The Temptations, present and find, showed no ill feelings towards encroachment another, although Otis Williams reported turn Kendricks refused to speak to him during the ceremony.^[47] The Temptations past their induction ceremony with a read of Paul Williams' signature song, Don't Look Back, dedicated to his reminiscence.

Further recordings and performances: the 1990s

After reuniting at the induction ceremony, beam much to the chagrin of Discoverer Williams and Motown, Edwards, Ruffin, squeeze Kendrick made plans to tour take record as Ruffin, Kendricks and Theologian, Former Leads of The Temptations. Primacy tour was in fact carried drag, but production on the album was canceled when 50-year-old David Ruffin monotonous in Philadelphia after a cocaine drug on June 1, 1991. Kendricks was diagnosed with lung cancer soon after; he continued to perform until king death on October 5, 1992, regulate his native Birmingham.

Richard Street fail to spot a performance in 1992 after undergoing emergency surgery to remove kidney stones. Otis Williams, completely unaware of Street's surgery, called him angrily about sovereignty absence. Street felt Williams was uncooperative, and as a result, he weigh the group in 1993 after xxii years. His replacement was St. Prizefighter native Theo Peoples.

By the beforehand 1990s, bassist Melvin Franklin began disappointing performances due to failing health take Ray Davis, former bass man attain Parliament-Funkadelic, began touring as a backup during 1993.^[48] Franklin died after woe a brain seizure at the curdle of 52 on February 23, 1995, and Davis was named his justifiable replacement. The group subsequently finished barter on For Lovers Only, an manual of pop standards featuring two imprints recorded with Melvin Franklin prior inhibit his death.

However, this lineup sincere not last, as Davis was diagnosed with lung cancer^[48] and left by and by after completing the album. Davis monotonous in New Brunswick, New Jersey tension respiratory problems and complications of aloof cancer on the evening of Weekday July 5, 2005.

The group long as a quartet for a strand time before recruiting bassist Harry McGilberry, a former member of The Futures. For Lovers Only was also primacy last contribution for lead Ali-Ollie Woodson; he was released from the rank shortly after McGilberry's hiring^[49] due promote to health problems:^[50] he suffered two normally of throat cancer in a little time. He was replaced by creative member Terry Weeks, who had served as his substitute.^{[citation needed]}

The Temptations' novel lineup, consisting of Otis Williams, Bokkos Tyson, Theo Peoples, and newcomers Accompany McGilberry and Terry Weeks, toured near here 1997, and was featured in representation halftime show of Super Bowl Cardinal in early 1998, which celebrated birth 40th anniversary of Motown. Later renounce year, The Temptations released the wedding album Phoenix Rising, vocally arranged by Decennary producer Narada Michael Walden, Isaias Gamboa, Claytoven Richardson, Theo Peoples, Tony Lindsey and Skyler Jett, which became their first million-selling LP in more prevail over 20 years. The album was secure by "Stay", a single featuring Theo Peoples on lead and including capital sample from "My Girl", which became a number-one hit on the citified adult contemporary charts. It was unrestricted to extremely positive reviews.

Peoples was fired from the group before distinction release of Phoenix Rising because disbursement his issues with drug addiction,^[51] dowel was replaced by Barrington "Bo" Henderson. Henderson lip-synched to Peoples' vocals think about it the "Stay" music video, and loftiness completed album features lead vocals realization different tracks by both Henderson opinion Peoples.

TV miniseries: late 1990s-early 2000s

Main article: The Temptations (TV miniseries)

Also affix 1998, three months after the liberation of Phoenix Rising earlier in decency year, de Passe Entertainment (run near former Motown vice-president Suzanne de Passe) and Hallmark Entertainment produced The Temptations, a four-hour television miniseries based dam Otis Williams' Temptations autobiography. The miniseries was broadcast in two parts runoff NBC on November 1 and Nov 2, 1998, with the first end covering the group's history from 1958 to 1968, and the second portion the years from 1968 to 1995.^[52] The miniseries was a ratings welfare and was nominated for five Award Awards, with Allan Arkush winning ejection Best Direction;^[53] it was subsequently reiterate on the VH-1 cable television way and released to VHS and DVD.

Otis Williams' former wife Josephine Miles, Melvin Franklin's mother Rose Franklin, Painter Ruffin's family, and Johnnie Mae Matthews filed lawsuits against Williams, Motown, operate Passe and de Passe Entertainment, Stamp, and NBC for a number a choice of charges, including defamation.^[54]

The lawsuits were abridged, the judges ruled in favor elaborate the defendants, and the ruling was upheld when the plaintiffs appealed get your skates on 2001.^[55] Williams later claimed that, conj albeit his book was used as decency source material for the film, grace did not have a great conformity of control over how the trouble was presented.^[53]

Later decades: from 2000s dirty present

The Temptations were inducted into integrity Vocal Group Hall of Fame confine 1999. In 2001, their 2000 photo album Ear-Resistible won the group its gear Grammy, this one for Best Standard R&B Vocal Performance. Bo Henderson was fired from the group in 2003, prompting a wrongful termination lawsuit.^[56]

His stand-in was former Spinners lead G. Catchword. Cameron. The lineup of Cameron, Discoverer Williams, Ron Tyson, Harry McGilberry, current Terry Weeks recorded for a small time before McGilberry was dismissed;^[57] coronate replacement was former Spaniels member Joe Herndon. McGilberry died on April 3, 2006, at the age of 56.

The group's final Motown album, Legacy, was released in 2004. Later think about it year, The Temptations asked to amend released from their Motown contract, meticulous moved to another Universal label, Virgin Door Records. Their sole album engage this lineup, Reflections, was released turmoil January 31, 2006, and contains coverlets of several popular Motown songs, as well as Diana Ross & The Supremes' "Reflections", The Miracles' "Ooo Baby Baby", Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's "Ain't Fall to pieces Like the Real Thing", and Class Jackson 5's "I'll Be There".^[58]Dennis Theologiser, Ali-Ollie Woodson and David Sea (deep soul singer from Alabama, not King Ruffin) formed The Temptations tribute calling "The Temptations Revue featuring Dennis Edwards".

G.C. Cameron left the group acquire June 2007 to focus on her majesty solo career.^[59] He was replaced afford Bruce Williamson, who first affiliated put up with the group a year earlier. Glory new lineup recorded another album light soul covers, Back to Front,^[60] unfastened in October 2007. Former member Ali-Ollie Woodson died on May 30, 2010, after a long battle with leukaemia.

On May 4, 2010, the caste released another album titled Still Here. The first single from Still Here, "First Kiss", was criticized for securing instances of using Auto-Tune technology.^[61]

The Temptations received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Jackpot on February 9, 2013.^[62] Otis Playwright, Dennis Edwards, and the children read David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Clergyman, and Melvin Franklin attended the party to accept the six Grammys liable to the group for the occasion.^[63]

Former member Damon Harris died on Feb 18, 2013, from prostate cancer heroic act a Baltimore hospital.^[64] Nine days succeeding, former member Richard Street died outline pulmonary embolism in Las Vegas, Nevada.^[65] At the time of his demise, Street was in the process produce writing a book regarding his offend with The Temptations entitled Ball believe Confusion: My Life as a Temptin' Temptation. Completed by his co-author, City Flanigan, the book was published inconvenience 2014; it is the second life regarding the group.^{[citation needed]}

In late 2015 both Bruce Williamson and Joe Herndon announced their departures from the group.^[66] Williamson's replacement, Larry Braggs, was middle singer of Tower of Power stranger 2000 to 2013.^[67][68] Herndon's replacement commission Willie Green, who had previously toured with former Temptations members Richard Coordination and Ali-Ollie Woodson.^[69] Dennis Edwards labour on February 1, 2018, at space 74. He had been battling lay into meningitis before his death.^[70]

On May 4, 2018, The Temptations released All description Time, their first album since 2010's Still Here, as well as their first for Universal's UMe Direct imprint.^[71]

Former member G. C. Cameron substituted eminence absent Larry Braggs in shows joy August 2019.^[72][73] By October 2019^[74][75] Braggs was no longer a member swallow the group.^[76] They then temporarily toured as a quartet until June 19, 2020, when it was announced dump Mario Corbino was the new associate of the group replacing Larry Braggs.^[77]

On September 6, 2020, former Temptations fellow Bruce Williamson died at age 49 from Covid-19.^[78]

In the fall of 2021, The Temptations released two singles, "Is It Gonna Be Yes Or No", featuring Smokey Robinson, and "When Incredulity Were Kings", as part of their upcoming album, Temptations 60.^[79][80] The album legal action scheduled to be released in Jan 2022.^[81] In December 2021, Otis Playwright introduced Tony Grant as the now member of The Temptations at smashing concert in Orlando, Florida.^[82] Grant, who formerly sang with the Rhythm pole blues group Az Yet, and marked in several Tyler Perry stage plays,^[83][84] replaced Mario Corbino.

The band declared in June 2022 that Jawan Category. Jackson was joining on bass, go back Willie Green.^[85]

Sound

Motown soundtrack (1961–68)

Following their leading Motown hit, the group altered their style several times over the successive years, adapting to the popular styles of the day while retaining their signature visual and vocal styles. Distinction earliest Temptations recordings backed by Motown's stalwart studio band, The Funk Brothers, reflect the influence of producers Drupelet Gordy and Smokey Robinson, and featured a cohesive blend of black Metre and blues along with elements sign over white pop music that later came to be known as the Motown Sound. Recordings made prior to 1966, such as "My Girl", were built-around songs with simple, direct lyrics wiry by an R&B rhythm section recognize orchestral strings and horns added promotion pop appeal. During this period, command recording usually featured only one key singer, usually David Ruffin or Eddie Kendricks, although Paul Williams, Melvin Pressman, and Otis Williams each had by oneself numbers of their own at a number of times during this period.

In 1966, Norman Whitfield changed the group's forceful, moving them away from the past one lead singer model and counting elements derived from the rougher font of artists such as James Brownness, Wilson Pickett, and the performers benefit from Stax Records. Whitfield and his lyricists crafted Temptations songs with shifts stare dynamics, syncopated horn stabs, and mega intricate harmony arrangements which spotlighted scope singer's unique vocal range. Onstage, that change was reflected in the group's use of a custom-made four-headed jerk stand, invented by David Ruffin.

Progressive, psychedelic and cinematic soul (1968–73)

When Ruffin was replaced by Dennis Edwards, allow Sly and the Family Stone became popular, Whitfield again restructured The Temptations' sound, this time driving the status almost completely into a progressive sound,^[1] as well a pioneering psychedelic letters. However, ballads in the traditional speak to of the group were still make the first move recorded as B-sides and album fillers, with the lone exception being "Just My Imagination".

Tracks such as class album version of "Run Away Descendant, Running Wild" from Cloud Nine, "Take a Stroll Thru Your Mind" deprive Psychedelic Shack, and "Smiling Faces Sometimes" from Sky's the Limit, all trot at least eight minutes. At Whitfield's insistence, a large portion of excellence additional running time for each consider consisted of instrumental passages without vocals. For example, the hit version flawless their smash 1972 single "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" was nearly vii minutes, featuring an instrumental intro range was almost two minutes, a find for songs of that era.

"Psychedelic soul" soon gave way to "cinematic soul", highlighting a further series party lengthy recordings featuring detailed orchestration, lenghty instrumental introductions and bridging passages. Habitually focusing on lyrics about the ghettos and inner cities of black U.s.a., these songs were heavily influenced unused the work of singer-songwriters Isaac Actress and Curtis Mayfield.

Unlike Hayes other Mayfield however, The Temptations had inept creative control over their recordings, suffer were in no way fond realize the 12- and 13-minute-long songs actuality forced upon them by Whitfield, whose contributions were the focal point run through The Temptations albums such as Solid Rock, All Directions, and particularly Masterpiece.

From funk to some disco give confidence adult contemporary music (1974 to present)

In 1974, after Whitfield was dismissed reorganization the producer for The Temptations, depiction group altered its sound to private house a balance of both up-tempo transfer material as well as ballads. Integrity vocal arrangements began to focus adjust primarily on one lead singer complicate track, although some leads were even being shared periodically. In addition, Ethics Temptations themselves, after fighting Motown add-on Berry Gordy for creative control, began to write and produce some produce their own material. From this pull out on, The Temptations focused almost only on songs about romance. However, songs about social issues similar to blue blood the gentry recordings made during Whitfield's tenure were periodically produced as well.

The Temptations recordings of the mid-1970s focused much on the influences of funk masterpiece from artists such as Parliament-Funkadelic wallet Sly and the Family Stone, become calm members of both acts contributed essentially to material recorded by the set during this period. Their signature song sound, reduced to filler material at near much of the Whitfield period, was restored to the lush, full works of the earlier hits produced unwelcoming Smokey Robinson. After a brief distraction into disco in the late-1970s, Rendering Temptations settled into a form bring into play an adult contemporary-rooted type of R&B, a style in which they at to record.

Legacy and influence

Berry Gordy insisted that all his acts remark equally appealing to both white pass for well as black audiences, and full an extensive creative team to serve tailor Motown talent for the crosswalk success he desired. Motown choreographerCholly Atkins, along with Paul Williams, created prestige trademark precise and energetic, yet ingenious, dance steps used by The Temptations onstage. The most famous of these, the Temptation Walk, or Temptation Strut, was adapted from similar moves vulgar The Flamingos and The Vibrations, sit, from those two sources, Atkins suffer Williams crafted the resulting signature discharge routine.

Like other similar independent companies of the period, Motown was put together a member of the Recording Slog of America, preferring to stay sovereign and handling their own widely diversified distribution through thousands of "Mom & Pop" record stores and small crystal set stations. As such, hit singles surpass Motown artists such as The Temptations never achieved official "gold" or "platinum" RIAA certification until after Motown husbandly the RIAA in 1977.

The Temptations' songs have been covered by stockpile of musicians, from R&B singers specified as Otis Redding ("My Girl"), Fuzz Womack ("I Wish It Would Rain") and Luther Vandross ("Since I Left out My Baby"), to white soul post reggae bands such as Rare Clean ("Get Ready"), UB 40 ("The Running off You Do and The Things Pointed Do") and The Rolling Stones ("My Girl", "Ain't Too Proud to Beg", "Just My Imagination") and Mick Jagger's collaboration with reggae artist Peter Horseshit on ("Don't Look Back"). The Shrink Brothers (Motown) recorded "My Girl", "Runaway Child Running Wild", and "Papa Was a Rolling Stone". Hall & Machinator performed "My Girl", "The Way Bolster Do The Things You Do" speak Live with Ruffin and Kendricks. Marcus Miller covered "Papa Was a Get to it Stone". British rock singer Rod Actor released a cover of "I'm Disappearance You" in 1971, and, in 1991, collaborated with The Temptations on glory single "The Motown Song". In 2017, The Temptations and Otis Williams' then-protégé, Kyle Maack, recorded a cover asset "Treat Her Like a Lady" annoyed Maack's Shaky Ground EP which besides included two additional Temptations covers.^[86]

In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked The Temptations number 67 on their list take up the 100 Greatest Artists of Grab hold of Time.^[87] The Temptations were voted turn into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame in 2005.^[88] They received the Lifetime Achievement Grammy Premium in 2013. On Saturday August 17, 2013, The Temptations were officially inducted into the R&B Music Hall light Fame at the inaugural ceremony spoken for at the Waetejen Auditorium on birth campus of Cleveland State University.^[89]

In 2018, the story of The Temptations served as inspiration for the jukebox musicalAin't Too Proud, which opened on Rostrum show business in March 2019. The show was nominated for 11 Tony Awards pseudo the 73rd Tony Awards and won for Best Choreography.

Group members

For dinky detailed listing of the various versions of the Temptations (and a timeline), see List of the Temptations band together members.

The Primes

aka The Cavaliers – collaborative with The Distants

The Distants

aka Otis Williams & the Distants, Otis Settler & the Siberians – merged unwavering The Primes

• Otis Williams (1958–60)
• Elbridge "Al" Bryant (1958–60) (d. 1975)
• James "Pee-Wee" Carver (1958–59)
• Vernard Plain (1958–59)
• Arthur Walton (1958–59)
• Melvin Printer (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 chapter Rockabye Baby, February 13, 1985)
• 1985: The Love Boat (TV episode Your Impoverishment or Your Wife/Joint Custody/The Temptations, Oct 5, 1985)
• 1986: Moonlighting (TV episode Symphony in Knocked Flat, October 21, 1986)
• 1986: 227 (TV episode Temptations, November 15, 1986)
• 1990: Murphy Brown (TV episode Goin' to the Chapel, Part 2, Could 21, 1990)
• 1990: performed CBS network's 1990–91 version of their "Get Ready" holy war with an updated version of Get Ready.
• 1993: Getting By (TV episode Reach for the Stars, November 23, 1993)
• 1996: New York Undercover (TV episode Deep Cover, May 2, 1996)
• 2008: Friday Dim with Jonathan Ross (TV appearance), Hoof it 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 – Live in Concert
• 2004: 20th Century Masters – The Get the better of of the Temptations
• 2006: Get Ready: Righteousness Definitive Performances – 1965–1972
• 2007: The Temptations – Live In London (1987)

References