By: Alfonso Munoz

It’s difficult to say just when and where the black vocal It’s difficult to say just when and where the black vocal group was invented. Maybe it was in the late 1920’s when group was invented. Maybe it was in the late 1920’s when it was becoming noticed; or some other place in history, it was becoming noticed; or some other place in history,

unrecorded.unrecorded.

On the other hand, it’s not hard to say when it was re-On the other hand, it’s not hard to say when it was re-invented. It was in Detroit in 1961, when two local singing invented. It was in Detroit in 1961, when two local singing groups, “Otis Williams and the Distants”, and “The Primes”, groups, “Otis Williams and the Distants”, and “The Primes”, got together and called themselves the Temptations. got together and called themselves the Temptations.

The Temptations were the change whose time had come, and The Temptations were the change whose time had come, and they would revolutionize the form.they would revolutionize the form.

By this time, it was usual for a vocal group to build itself By this time, it was usual for a vocal group to build itself around one single star to whom the other singers played back-around one single star to whom the other singers played back-

up, but in designing the temptations, founder Otis Williams up, but in designing the temptations, founder Otis Williams discarded that model and assembled a extraordinary range of discarded that model and assembled a extraordinary range of

talents.talents.

Otis Williams found the bottomless bass voice of Melvin “Blue” Otis Williams found the bottomless bass voice of Melvin “Blue” Franklin.Franklin.

He discovered the perfect falsetto voice of Eddie Kendricks.He discovered the perfect falsetto voice of Eddie Kendricks.

He found the elegant tenor voice of Paul Williams.He found the elegant tenor voice of Paul Williams.

And when the groups fifth member, Elbridge Bryant, departed, And when the groups fifth member, Elbridge Bryant, departed, the picture was completed by his replacement by a raspy-the picture was completed by his replacement by a raspy-

voiced Mississippi soul man named David Ruffin.voiced Mississippi soul man named David Ruffin.

Together, there was nothing that the Temptations couldn’t Together, there was nothing that the Temptations couldn’t sing. It was this talent that brought us some of the most sing. It was this talent that brought us some of the most

memorable songs that tattooed our minds forever. Songs such memorable songs that tattooed our minds forever. Songs such as “Get Ready”, “Beauty is only Skin Deep”, “Ain’t to Proud to as “Get Ready”, “Beauty is only Skin Deep”, “Ain’t to Proud to

Beg”, and of course the signature hitBeg”, and of course the signature hit“My Girl”.“My Girl”.

As a result, the Temptations absolutely owned the 60’s and As a result, the Temptations absolutely owned the 60’s and they had no competition.they had no competition.

After five years of singing with the group, the Temptations After five years of singing with the group, the Temptations main lead singer, David Ruffin, left the group over billing main lead singer, David Ruffin, left the group over billing

issues. However, the departure of David proved fortuitous for issues. However, the departure of David proved fortuitous for the group because a new style of music called “psychedelic the group because a new style of music called “psychedelic soul” was taking over for the new decade of the 70’s. David soul” was taking over for the new decade of the 70’s. David

Ruffin’s replacement, Dennis Edwards, would bring the Ruffin’s replacement, Dennis Edwards, would bring the Temptations an angrier voice for an angrier time. And, the Temptations an angrier voice for an angrier time. And, the

“new” Temptations were formed“new” Temptations were formed..

The Temptations brought their magic into the 70’s when they The Temptations brought their magic into the 70’s when they were successful in producing smash hits such as “Can’t next were successful in producing smash hits such as “Can’t next

to you”, “Ball of Confusion”, “Just My Imagination”, “Papa was to you”, “Ball of Confusion”, “Just My Imagination”, “Papa was a Rolling Stone” and “Cloud Nine” which won the Temptations a Rolling Stone” and “Cloud Nine” which won the Temptations

a Grammy Award.a Grammy Award.

Throughout the 70’s the Temptations faced many problems. Throughout the 70’s the Temptations faced many problems. Paul Williams’ health was deteriorating due to sickle cell Paul Williams’ health was deteriorating due to sickle cell

anemia and alcohol addiction. Melvin Franklin was suffering anemia and alcohol addiction. Melvin Franklin was suffering from arthritis, and both Dennis Edwards and Eddie Kendricks from arthritis, and both Dennis Edwards and Eddie Kendricks

left the group. For the first time in over 10 years, the left the group. For the first time in over 10 years, the Temptations went through a dry spell, and sadly in 1973, Paul Temptations went through a dry spell, and sadly in 1973, Paul

Williams committed suicide.Williams committed suicide.

Paul Williams 1939-1973

In 1983, Motown came up with the idea of forming a reunion In 1983, Motown came up with the idea of forming a reunion tour. David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, and Dennis Edward tour. David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, and Dennis Edward returned to the group, which was now composed of the returned to the group, which was now composed of the

original two members, Otis and Melvin, along with the new original two members, Otis and Melvin, along with the new replacements, Richard Street, and Ron Tyson. The replacements, Richard Street, and Ron Tyson. The

Temptations were now a mix of the best of the past and Temptations were now a mix of the best of the past and present.present.

As a result the Temptations were together again. The tour As a result the Temptations were together again. The tour lasted nine months and drew sell out crowds across the lasted nine months and drew sell out crowds across the

country.The choreography was perfect and the repertoire of country.The choreography was perfect and the repertoire of the their classic songs were instantly recognized and the their classic songs were instantly recognized and

appreciated.appreciated.

Unfortunately, from behind the scenes, things weren’t so Unfortunately, from behind the scenes, things weren’t so good. David Ruffin caused the group problems when he didn’t good. David Ruffin caused the group problems when he didn’t

show up at some of the tours concerts, because of his show up at some of the tours concerts, because of his addiction to drugs. It was also said that Eddie Kendrick’s voice addiction to drugs. It was also said that Eddie Kendrick’s voice was weakening due to years of smoking. After the tour it was was weakening due to years of smoking. After the tour it was decided that Eddie and David were out of the group for good.decided that Eddie and David were out of the group for good.

In 1989, the Temptation’s proudest moment was when they In 1989, the Temptation’s proudest moment was when they were introduced into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for their were introduced into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for their very successful career. All of the original members including very successful career. All of the original members including

Dennis Edwards were now to be remembered forever.Dennis Edwards were now to be remembered forever.

In the 90s the Temptations lost three of their most talented singers. In the 90s the Temptations lost three of their most talented singers. David Ruffin died of a drug overdose, Eddie Kendricks died due to David Ruffin died of a drug overdose, Eddie Kendricks died due to

lung cancer, and Melvin Franklin passed away after a series of brain lung cancer, and Melvin Franklin passed away after a series of brain seizures. To this day Otis Williams is the only living original member seizures. To this day Otis Williams is the only living original member

of the Temptations. of the Temptations.

David Ruffin

1941-1991

Melvin Franklin

1942-1995

Eddie Kendricks

1939-1992

However, in our minds and hearts the Temptations still live However, in our minds and hearts the Temptations still live today. The groups music still produces “greatest hits”, “best today. The groups music still produces “greatest hits”, “best

of” albums, and biography’s. The story of the Temptations was of” albums, and biography’s. The story of the Temptations was turned into a TV turned into a TV

mini-series movie.mini-series movie.

Today the Temptations cast a shadow that no present male Today the Temptations cast a shadow that no present male vocal group has ever been able to overcome. Coming up on 40 vocal group has ever been able to overcome. Coming up on 40

years the Temptations still remain what they always have years the Temptations still remain what they always have been……been……

THE BEST!