The Temptations
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The Temptations are R&B Group. They are the most important soul group of the last half century. They released several albums like the hit, Phoenix Rising.
Contents |
Members
Otis Williams
Terry Weeks
Joe Herndon
Ron Tyson
Bruce Williamson
Former members
Elbridge "Al" Bryant
Melvin Franklin
Eddie Kendricks
Paul Williams
David Ruffin
Dennis Edwards
Damon Harris
Glenn Leonard
Louis Price
Ali-Ollie Woodson
Theo Peoples
Ray Davis
Harry McGilberry
Barrington "Bo" Henderson
Richard Street
G.C. Cameron
About
The Temptations was formed in 1960 at Michigan. "Eddie Kendricks", "Paul Williams", "Kel Osbourne" and "Wiley Waller" are childhood friends. In 1955, they formed a group called "The Cavaliers" in Birmingham, Alabama. Wiley left the group in 1957. Eddie, Paul and Kel decided to left Alabama and transfer to Cleveland and after that in Detroit. The remaining trio changed their name to, The Primes. "Milton Jenkins", their group manager formed a sister group called, Primettes which were composed of "Florence Ballard", "Mary Wilson", "Diana Ross" and "Betty McGlown" for the spin-off act.
"Otis Williams" transferred to Detroit from Texas. He lives with his mother. In 1958, he was the lead vocal of "Otis Williams & The Siberians", which comprised of "Elbridge Bryant", "James Pee-Wee Crawford", "Vernard Plain" and "Arthur Walton". The group recorded a single "Pecos Kid" but was never release outside of Detroit. Later on, "The Siberians" changed their name to "El Domingoes". After awhile, Arthur left the group and was replace by "Melvin Franklin" while "Richard Street" replaces Vernard. Sooner, they signed a recording contract under Northern Records, headed by "Johnnie Mae Matthews". Johhnie changed the name of the group to The Distants.
They released two singles, "Come On" in 1959 and "Alright" in 1960. In between these releases, "Albert Harrell" replaced Pee-Wee. In 1960, Johnny apointed Otis as their group leader. The groups name became "Otis Williams & The Distants". The famous groups in the 60's were The Primes and The Distants and The Miracles. The members of the "The Primes" and "The Distants" became closed. They became friendly rivalry. However, in 1960, "The Primes" was disbanded when Kel decided to move to California, Eddie and Paul returned to Alabama. When Edie learned that Otis was looking for another members, Eddie called up Otis, Otis offered Eddie to become the leas singer of "The Distants". Eddie agreed with the condition that Paul must also join them. Otis agreed with the conditions and so Eddie and Paul were added to the group.
A new group was formed which composed of "Otis Williams", "Melvin Franklin", "Elbridge Bryant", "Eddie Kendrick" and "Paul Williams" they were all former members of "The Primes" and "The Distants". They called their new group to The Elgins. They signed a recording contract under Miracle Records, headed by their President "Berry Gordy Jr". They changed their name now to The Temptations. The group released their single, "Check Yourself" in 1961 under Miracle Records. In 1962, they signed a new recording contract under a the major label, "Motown Records" and released their first single, "Dream Come True" which chartered #22 at the US R&B Album Chart. During that time the group became known as one of the most talented and versatile groups in the country.
All seven of the Temptations' singles released between 1961 and 1963 failed to make it onto the U.S. pop singles charts. Elbridge left the group in that same year and was replaced by "David Ruffin". David added excitement to the group. They released their hit singles, "The Way You Do The Things You Do" which landed #11 at the US Pop Charts, "Girl Why You Wanna Make Me Blue" peaked #26 at the US Pop. They released another hit singles, "Get Ready" which chartered #1 at the US R&B Charts, "Ain't To Proud To Beg" landed #1 at the US R&B Charts and #13 at the US Pop Chart, "Beautys Only Skin Deep" also #1 in the chart in 1966. In 1967 the group started expanding its horizons recording a standards album In A Mellow Mood which featured the singles, "You're My Everything" chartered #3 in the US R&b Charts and "All I Need" landed #2 on the US Pop Charts.
More hit singles followed in 1968 like "I Wish It Would Rain" and "I Could Never Love Another" which both became number 1 in the US R&B Charts and "Please Return Your Love To Me" chartered #4 in the US R&B Charts. Unhappy with the way he was being treated, David was asked to leave the group and was replaced by "Dennis Edwards". They released their new hit single, "Cloud Nine" which chartered at #2 at the US R&B Charts in 1969 which brought both the group and Motown its first Grammy.
In 1970, they released their number 1 hit singles, "Runaway Child" and "Can't Get Next To You" and "Psychedelic Shack" and "Ball of Confusion" which both became #2 at the US Pop Charts. In 1971, due to their health problems, Eddie and Paul left the group. They were replaced by "Ricky Owens", "Damon Harris" and "Street". However, Ricky left the group before ever recording with them. It seemed nothing could stop The Temptation and released other hit singles, "Superstar" and "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" and became #1 on the US Pop Charts which brought two more Grammys for them.
In 1975, the group released more albums, A Song For You which became #1 US R&B Album Chart. Damon left the group and was replaced by "Glenn Leonard". More hit singles in the late 70's until the 80's were released. In the later part of 1992, Street left the group and was replaced by, "Theo Peoples". In 1998, the new lineups of the group were composed of "Otis Williams", "Ron Tyson", "Theo Peoples", "Harry McGilberry" and "Terry Weeks".
They released their album, Phoenix Rising in 1998, which became their first million-selling album in over twenty years. They were inducted into the Vocal Group Halll of Fame in 1999. They released their next album, Ear-Resistable in 2000. It features the singles. "My Girl", "Ain't Too Proud to Beg", and "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone". In 2003, Bo was fired from the group. He was replaced by, "G.C. Cameron". Their next album, Legacy was released in 2004. They released their latest albums, Reflections in 2006 and Back To Front in 2007. G.C. left the group in that same year and was replace by, "Bruce Williamson".
Awards & Certifications
Chart Toppers
News
Tours & Concerts
Feb 07, 2008 Mystic Showroom, Prior Lake, Minnesota United States
Feb 08, 2008 Clowes Memorial Hall, Indianapolis Indiana, United States
Feb 16, 2008 Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States
Announcements
There are no announcements as of this time
Discography
Albums
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Singles
| Date | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | One Step At A Time | Motown |
| 1990 | Special | Motown |
| 1991 | Shake Your Paw | GRP |
| 1991 | Hoops of Fire | Motown |
| 1991 | My Girl | Sony |
| 1996 | Time After Time | Motown |
Compilations & Live Releases
| Date | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Greatest Hits | Gordy |
| 1967 | Temptations Live! | Motown |
| 1968 | Live at The Copa | Motown |
| 1970 | Live at London | Gordy |
| 1970 | Christmas Card | Motown |
| 1973 | Anthology | Motown |
| 1980 | 20 Golden Greats | Motown |
| 1980 | Give Love at Christmas | Motown |
| 1982 | All The Million-Sellers | Motown |
| 1983 | Songs That Inspired The Motown 25th | Motown |
| 1986 | 25th Anniversary | Motown |
| 1989 | Papa Was A Rolling Stone | Motown |
| 1990 | Christmas Card | Motown |
| 1990 | Compact Performances | Motown |
| 1990 | All Directions | Motown |
| 1990 | Masterpiece | Motown |
| 1993 | Hum Along and Dance | Rhino |
| 1993 | Motown Legends:My Girl | Motown |
| 1993 | Back To Back | K-Tel |
| 1993 | Greatest Hits | Paragoric |
| 1995 | Motown Legends: Just My Imagination | Motown Legends |
| 1997 | The Ultimate Collection | Motown |
| 1997 | My Girl | Spectrum |
| 1999 | 20th Century Masters-The Millenium Collection | Universal |
| 1999 | Early Classics | Karussell |
| 2000 | Classic:The Universal Masters Collection | Motown |
| 2000 | Imagination | BCI |
| 2000 | Puzzle People | Motown |
| 2000 | Meet The Temptations | Motown |
| 2001 | At Their Very Best | Universal International |
| 2001 | Original Lead Singers of The Temptations | Eagle |
| 2001 | Winning Combinations | Universal Special Products |
| 2001 | Best of Temptations | Pegasus |
| 2001 | Christmas Celebration | Motown |
| 2001 | Best of Temptations Christmas | Motown |
| 2002 | My Girl: The Very Best of The Temptations | Motown |
| 2003 | 20th Century Masters - The Christmas Collection | Motown |
| 2004 | Love Songs | Motown |
| 2004 | All Time Greatest Hits | Falcon Home Ent. |
| 2004 | In Japan | Motown |
| 2005 | Gold | Prism Platinum |
| 2005 | The Temptations Collection | Prism Platinum |
| 2005 | The Temptations Mini-Series Soundtrack | Motown |
| 2005 | Golden Star | Disky Communications |
| 2006 | Legends | Universal International |
| 2007 | Colour Collection | Universal |
| 2007 | The Christmas Album | Gordy |
| 2007 | Number 1's | Motown |
| 2007 | Original Motown Classics | Pair |
Other artists
Similar artists
Contemporaries
Influences
Trivia
- On January 18, 1989 the group is inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame by Hall and Oates.
Reviews
External Links
Categories: Artist | R&B | Soul
