The Temptations and Cam Lyman: Difference between pages

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'''Cam''' (born Camilla) '''Lyman''' was a [[transman]] and a millionaire and [[breeder]] of champion [[spaniel]]s. He disappeared in [[1987]] and was declared dead in [[1995]]. In [[December]] [[1997]] his body was found in a [[septic tank]] on his estate.
[[pl:The Temptations]]
[[Image:Tempts-page-display.jpg|250px|thumb| The "Classic 5" lineup of The Temptations, circa [[1965]]. Left to right: [[Melvin Franklin]], [[Eddie Kendricks]], [[Otis Williams]], [[Paul Williams (The Temptations)|Paul Williams]], and [[David Ruffin]].]]
'''The Temptations''' (also abbreviated as '''"The Tempts"''') are an [[United States|American]] [[Motown]] [[singing]] group whose repertoire has included [[doo-wop]], [[soul music|soul]], [[psychedelic music|psychedelia]], [[funk]], [[disco]], [[rhythm and blues|R&B]], and [[adult contemporary]]. Formed in [[Detroit, Michigan]], in [[1961]], The Temptations has always featured five [[African-American]] male vocalists/dancers. The group, known for its finely tuned choreography, distinct harmonies, and stylish suits, has been said to be as influential to soul as [[The Beatles]] are to [[rock music|rock]] [http://www.freep.com/motownat40/archives/082888mo.htm].


''See also'': [[List of transgender-related topics]], [[List of transgendered people]]
Having sold an estimated 22 million albums by [[1982]] [http://www.memorabletv.com/memorablemusic/temptations.htm], The Temptations are the most successful group in black music history [http://classic.motown.com/artist.aspx?ob=ros&src=lb&aid=52] and were the definitive male vocal group of the [[1960s]] [http://www.vghf.com/Inductees/temptations.htm]. In addition, they have the second-longest tenure on Motown (behind [[Stevie Wonder]]), as they were with the label for a total of 40 years: 16 years from [[1961]] to [[1977]], and 24 more from [[1980]] to [[2004]]. From [[1977]] to [[1980]] they were signed to [[Atlantic Records]]. [[As of 2005]], The Temptations continue to perform as an independent act with only one original member, founder [[Otis Williams]], in its lineup.


{{bio-stub}}
Like its sister group [[The Supremes]], The Temptations' lineup has changed frequently over the years. The original group included members of two local Detroit vocal groups: [[tenor]] Otis Williams, tenor [[Elbridge "Al" Bryant]] and [[basso|bass]] [[Melvin Franklin]] from '''Otis Williams & The Distants''', tenor/[[falsetto]] [[Eddie Kendricks]], and [[baritone]] [[Paul Williams (The Temptations)|Paul Williams]] (no relation to Otis) from '''The Primes'''. Among the most notable Temptations were future lead singers [[David Ruffin]] and [[Dennis Edwards]], both of whom became successful Motown solo artists after leaving the group; [[Richard Street]], also a former Distant; [[Ron Tyson]]; and [[Ali-Ollie Woodson]].


[[Category:Transgender and transsexual people]]
Over the course of their career, The Temptations have released four #1 pop hit singles, and 10 more #1 R&B hit singles. Their material has earned them three [[Grammy Award]]s. Two more awards were conferred upon the [[songwriter]]s and [[record producer|producer]]s who crafted their seminal [[1972]] hit "[[Papa Was a Rolling Stone]]".

==History==
===The Primes and The Distants===
====The Primes====
Best friends [[Eddie Kendricks]] and [[Paul Williams (The Temptations)|Paul Williams]], along with singing partner Kel Osbourne, left their native [[Birmingham, Alabama]], in [[1955]] in order to break into the music business. After first moving to [[Cleveland, Ohio]], they settled in [[Detroit, Michigan|Detroit]]. ''The Primes'', as the [[doo-wop]] trio was called, were well-known around Detroit for their meticulous performances. Group manager Milton Jenkins even created a sister group for the Primes called [[The Primettes]], recruiting [[junior high school]]ers [[Florence Ballard]], [[Mary Wilson (singer)|Mary Wilson]], [[Diana Ross|Diane Ross]], and Betty McGlown for the spin-off act.

====Otis Williams & the Distants====
[[Otis Williams]] had moved from [[Texarkana, Texas]], to Detroit as a young boy. By [[1958]], he was the leader of '''Otis Williams & the Siberians''', a doo-wop group that included Williams, his friend [[Elbridge "Al" Bryant]], James "Pee-Wee" Crawford, Vernard Plain, and Arthur Walton. This quintet recorded the single "Pecos Kid" backed with "All of My Life" for a label run by local [[dee-jay]] Senator Bristol Bryant. The single never took off outside the local Detroit market, and the Siberians changed their name to '''The El Domingoes''' shortly afterward.

At this time, more changes took place. [[Montgomery, Alabama]] native [[Melvin Franklin]] replaced Arthur Walton as the bass singer, and Franklin's cousin [[Richard Street]] replaced Vernard Plain as lead singer. The group soon signed with Northern Records, run by Jonnie Mae Matthews, who renamed the group '''Otis Williams & the Distants'''. The Distants recorded two singles for Northern, "Come On" ([[1959]], featuring additional background vocals by [[The Andantes]]), and "Alright" ([[1960]]). Between these two releases, Albert "Mooch" Harrell replaced Pee-Wee Crawford. "Come On" was a local hit for the Distants, and the Warwick label picked the record up for national distribution.

===Influences and colleagues===
The Primes and the Distants were but two of dozens of local male vocal acts, the most famous of which was [[The Miracles]], led by [[Smokey Robinson]]. The Miracles were known for their excellent stage show, and their pop success was something for which both groups strived. Other important inspirations included [[The Cadillacs]], [[Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers]], [[The Drifters]], and the [[Isley Brothers]].

The various members of the Primes and the Distants who would later become part of The Temptations met a number of their later [[Motown]] bandmates, labelmates, and producers during the early part of their careers. Melvin Franklin had been a member of the recording group The Voice Masters, which also included among its ranks [[Lamont Dozier]] and [[David Ruffin]]. The musicians at the recording session for the Distants' "Come On" included [[James Jamerson]] on [[bass guitar|bass]]; [[The Andantes]] on background vocals; and, on [[tambourine]], [[Norman Whitfield]].

===Forming The Temptations===
Although "Come On" sold decently in the Detroit area, the Distants never saw much of their share from the record sales, and the second single was not as successful. After receiving an offer from [[Berry Gordy]] of [[Motown Records]], the group got out of its contract with Matthews and left Northern. At the same time, it lost Mooch Harrell, Richard Street, and the rights to use its name. Street would front a new group of Distants for the local Thelma label during the early [[1960s]].

The Distants were acquainted with The Primes, as both groups made the same rounds to local record hops, talent shows, and concerts. The two groups were friendly rivals. Kel Osbourne left the Primes and moved to [[California]], and Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams returned to Alabama for a short time before returning to Detroit. Eddie Kendricks called Otis Williams, who, needing two more members for an audition for Gordy, offered Kendricks a place in the Distants. Kendricks agreed, with one condition — that he could bring Paul Williams with him.

The new lineup of Otis Williams, Franklin, Bryant, Kendricks, and Paul Williams took on the name '''The Elgins''' and auditioned for Motown in [[March]] [[1961]]. Gordy agreed to sign the group to his Miracle Records imprint, provided they change their name. Otis Williams and Miracle employee Bill Mitchell came up with the name ''The Temptations'' on the steps of Motown's [[Hitsville U.S.A.]] headquarters. Four months prior, The Primes' former protégés The Primettes signed to Motown, and Gordy had their name changed to [[The Supremes]].

[[Image:Meet-the-tempts-1964.jpg|left|thumb|The cover of The Temptations' first LP, [[1964]]'s ''Meet The Temptations''.]]

===Early years===
The Temptations released two singles on Miracle before it was closed and merged with the Gordy label (to avoid confusion with [[The Miracles]] singing group). All of The Temptations' first seven singles, released between [[1961]] and [[1963]], failed to make it onto the US pop singles charts; "Dream Come True" ([[1962]]) made it to #22 on the R&B chart. Paul Williams and Eddie Kendricks split most of the leads, with Al Bryant, Otis Williams, and Melvin Franklin occasionally singing lead. Bryant, who preferred his day job as a [[milkman]] to performing, soon became restless and uncooperative. After a performance at the [[1963]] Motown company [[Christmas]] party, Bryant was fired from the group. His replacement was [[David Ruffin]], younger brother of Motown artist [[Jimmy Ruffin]].

Many [[songwriter]] and [[record producer|producer]] teams had been trying to craft a hit for The Temptations, including Berry Gordy, Mickey Stevenson, Clarence Paul, and [[Norman Whitfield]], but Miracles lead singer [[Smokey Robinson]] had the best rapport with the group. In [[January]] [[1964]], Robinson co-wrote and produced "The Way You Do the Things You Do" with Kendricks on lead; the single became The Temptations' first Top 20 hit that [[April]]. While traveling as part of Motown's Motortown Revue later that year, Robinson and fellow Miracle Ronald White wrote a song for the emotive Ruffin to sing lead on, which The Temptations recorded in the fall of [[1964]]. That song, "[[My Girl (song)|My Girl]]," became The Temptations’ first #1 pop hit in [[December]], and is today their signature song. Ruffin also sung lead on the next three Temptations singles, "It's Growing", "Since I Lost My Baby" and "My Baby", all of which made it to the Top 20 in [[1965]].

[[Image:Lot-o-soul-tempts.jpg|right|thumb|The cover to the [[1967]] LP ''The Temptations With a Lot O' Soul''.]]
===Enter Norman Whitfield===
In [[1966]], [[Norman Whitfield]] became The Temptations' new main producer, after his "[[Ain't Too Proud to Beg]]" performed better than Smokey Robinson's "[[Get Ready (1966 song)|Get Ready]]" on the US pop charts.

Nearly all of the pre-[[1968]] Whitfield-produced Temptations singles featured David Ruffin on lead vocals, including the R&B #1/pop Top 10 hits "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep" and "(I Know) I'm Losing You". Other singles from this prolific period included "You're My Everything", on which Ruffin and Kendricks share lead vocals, and "All I Need", produced by Whitfield's protégé [[Frank Wilson (musician)|Frank Wilson]]. Whitfield's writing partners during this period included Roger Penzabene, Cornelius Grant, and [[Edward Holland, Jr.]]. [[Barrett Strong]], the singer on Motown's first hit "[[Money (That's What I Want)]]", began his long songwriting partnership with Whitfield with the [[December]] [[1967]] release "I Wish It Would Rain".

===Initial impact===
Between [[1964]] and [[1968]], The Temptations went from unknown hopefuls to international stars. The group appeared frequently on television shows such as ''[[American Bandstand]]'' and ''[[The Ed Sullivan Show]]'', and catered to middle America with a pop standards album (''The Temptations in a Mellow Mood'', [[1967]]) and performances at the [[Copacabana]] in [[New York City]] and other such supper clubs.

The Temptations' sophisticated soul, with their tailored suits and tight choreography, set the bar for male soul and R&B groups. Before The Temptations became popular, most black vocal groups were rough, high-energy acts with rawer vocals and more improvisational dance movements. Only a few performers, including contemporaries [[Marvin Gaye]] and [[Sam Cooke]], showed the refined style that would be popularized by The Temptations.

Berry Gordy insisted his acts be equally appealing to white and black audiences, and employed a creative team to help tailor Motown talent for crossover success. Paul Williams and Motown [[choreographer]] Cholly Atkins created The Temptation's trademark precise; energetic, yet refined, dance steps. The most famous of these, the "Temptation Walk", or "Temptation Strut", was adapted from similar moves by a [[1950s]] act called [[The Flamingos]] and a [[1960s]] act called [[The Vibrations]], from which The Temptations briefly gained Ricky Owens when they broke apart for a time in [[1971]]. From those two sources, Paul Williams crafted the group's signature dance routine.

Many soul and R&B vocal groups, such as [[1970s]] Motown act [[The Jackson 5]], the [[Johnny Gill]]-led version of [[New Edition]]; [[Dru Hill]]; and, perhaps most notably, [[1990s]] Motown act [[Boyz II Men]] were influenced by The Temptations.

[[Image:1968-temptations.jpg|thumb|left|The [[1968]] photograph used for this greatest-hits cover features then-new Temptations lead singer [[Dennis Edwards]] (third from left in back row).]]

===Exit David Ruffin===
David Ruffin felt that he was almost single-handedly responsible for the group's success. He demanded special treatment, riding to and from gigs in a [[mink]]-lined [[limousine]] with his then-girlfriend singer [[Tammi Terrell]], instead of in the group's [[station wagon]]. There were problems that affected group morale and perormances, as well. He missed a number of rehearsals, concerts, and group meetings; and began regularly using [[cocaine]]. In addition, Ruffin wanted top billing. After seeing how Motown had made [[Diana Ross]] the focus of [[The Supremes]] by renaming the group "Diana Ross & the Supremes", Ruffin demanded that ''his'' group be renamed, as well — to "David Ruffin & The Temptations."

There was general agreement among the rest of The Temptations that Ruffin needed to be replaced, and in the summer of [[1968]], [[Dennis Edwards]], formerly of [[The Contours]], was brought in as the new lead singer. Edwards and Ruffin were good friends, and Ruffin at first went along with the changing of the guard. Shortly afterward, however, he began turning up at The Temptations' shows, jumping onstage and stealing the spotlight. The audiences were delighted, but The Temptations and Motown were frustrated and embarrassed. Extra security guards were hired to prevent Ruffin from attending The Temptations' performances. Ruffin sued Motown in [[1969]], and Motown settled with Ruffin by offering him a solo recording contract.

Beginning in [[1968]], Berry Gordy commissioned a number of collaborations for The Temptations with their old colleagues Diana Ross & the Supremes, including a joint tour, two studio albums (''Diana Ross & The Supremes Join The Temptations'' and ''Together''), and two [[National Broadcasting Company|NBC]] [[television]] specials, ''[[TCB (television special)|TCB]]'' (aired [[December 9]], [[1968]]) and ''[[G.I.T. on Broadway]]'' (aired [[November 12]] [[1969]]).

[[Image:Psychedelic-shack.jpg|thumb|right| After the [[Grammy]]-wining single "[[Cloud Nine (song)|Cloud Nine]]", [[record producer]] [[Norman Whitfield]] took The Temptations deep into [[psychedelic soul]] territory, including the LP ''[[Psychedelic Shack (album)|Psychedelic Shack]]'', released in [[1970]].]]

===Psychedelic soul===
In late [[1968]], Norman Whitfield began producing [[psychedelic music|psychedelic]]-based material for The Temptations, based on the sound of [[funk]] band [[Sly & The Family Stone]]. This new style, which debuted with "[[Cloud Nine (song)|Cloud Nine]]" in fall 1968, was a marked departure from the David Ruffin-era ballads. The instrumentation was [[funk music|funkier]], the beat was hard-driving, and all five Temptations traded lead vocals ''à la'' the Family Stone. "Cloud Nine", the centerpiece of the group's landmark ''Cloud Nine'' LP, was a Top 10 hit and won Motown its first [[Grammy Award]], for [[Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals|Best R&B Group Performance]] [[Grammy Awards of 1968|of 1968]]. The blending of the Motown sound and psychedelic rock sound resulted in a new subgenre of music called "[[psychedelic soul]]", also evident in the work of Diana Ross & the Supremes' ("[[Reflections (song)|Reflections]]", "[[Love Child (song)|Love Child]]"), Marvin Gaye's ("[[I Heard It Through The Grapevine]]"), and the music of [[The Fifth Dimension]] and [[War (band)|War]]. More Temptations psychedelic soul singles would follow over the next two years, including "Runaway Child, Running Wild", the #1 pop hit "[[I Can't Get Next to You]]", "[[Psychedelic Shack (song)|Psychedelic Shack]]" in [[1969]]), and "[[Ball of Confusion (That's What the World is Today)]]" and "Ungena Za Ulimwengu (Unite the World)" in [[1970]].

===Exit Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams===
Paul Williams had [[sickle-cell anemia]] and frequently was in poor health. After he developed [[alcoholism]], it became hard for him to continue with the group. At some Temptations performances, former Distant Richard Street was called upon to sing Williams' parts from offstage, while an inebriated Williams danced and [[lip-sync]]ed for the audience.

Eddie Kendricks was also becoming detached from the group and sometimes would pick fights with Otis Wlliams and Melvin Franklin. In addition, Kendricks was uncomfortable with the psychedelic soul material the group was now performing, preferring the material from the earlier days. He began an association with David Ruffin, who convinced him to quit The Temptations and go solo. The final Temptations single to feature a lead by Kendricks was the #1 pop hit "[[Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)]]", a whistful, lush ballad recorded in late [[1970]], and released in early [[1971]]. Kendricks quit the group in between shows at a [[March]] [[1971]] Copacabana engagement and was replaced with Ricky Owens, who almost immediately was replaced by Damon Harris.

Later the same year, Richard Street officially replaced Paul Williams, who remained on The Temptations' payroll as an advisor and choreographer. After Williams had recovered enough to perform again, Motown made plans for a Paul Williams solo career, but Williams committed [[suicide]] on [[August 17]], [[1973]].

===The Temptations in the early 1970s===
Otis Williams, Dennis Edwards, Melvin Franklin, Richard Street, and Damon Harris continued recording and performing; and Norman Whitfield continued producing hits for The Temptations, including the Top 40 hits "Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are)" ([[1971]]), a message from The Temptations to the estranged David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks, and "Take A Look Around" ([[1972]]).

[[1972]] saw the release of Norman Whitfield's [[magnum opus]], "[[Papa Was a Rolling Stone]]". Originally a record Whitfield had written and produced for [[The Undisputed Truth]], Whitfield took the somber tune and created a sprawling, dramatic fourteen-minute version for The Temptations. An edited seven-minute version was released as a single in [[September]] [[1972]], hitting #1 on the pop charts and #5 on the R&B charts. In [[1973]], "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" won The Temptations their second Grammy for [[Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals|Best R&B Performance by a Group]]. Whitfield and arranger/conductor Paul Riser won [[Grammy Award for Best R&B Instrumental Performance|Best R&B Instrumental Performance]] with the instrumental version of "Papa" on the single's b-side, and Whitfield and Barrett Strong won the songwriters' [[Grammy Award for Best R&B Song|Best R&B Song]] Award.

By that time, Whitfield had stopped working with Barrett Strong, and began writing and arranging The Temptations' material on his own. The success of "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" led him to create more elongated, operatic pieces, including the Top 40 hit "Masterpiece" ([[1973]]) and the tracks on the album it anchored, also called ''Masterpiece''. Tensions developed between The Temptations and Whitfield. They felt Whitfield was arrogant and difficult to work with; his productions began to emphasize his talents over the group's. [[1973]] saw the release of the final Whitfield-produced album, ''1990'', which included the Top 30 single "Let Your Hair Down". The Temptations complained about Whitfield to Berry Gordy, who intervened and reassigned them to producer Jeffery Bowen. Whitfield left Motown shortly afterwards, and in [[1975]] established [[Whitfield Records]], taking The Undisputed Truth, and [[Rose Royce]], who performed the instrumental track for "Let Your Hair Down", with him.

===Dry spell===
Bowen's first and only LP with The Temptations was [[1975]]'s ''[[A Song for You]]'', which included a cover of the titular [[Leon Russell]] tune (popularized with soul audiences by [[Donny Hathaway]]), along with the Top 40 hits "Shakey Ground" (featuring instrumentation by [[P-Funk]] members) and "Glasshouse". A number of producers, including [[Brian Holland]], James Carmichael, and The Temptations themselves tried producing hits for the next three LP's, ''Wings of Love'', ''House Party'', and ''The Temptations Do The Temptations'', but each single performed worse than the next.

Damon Harris left the group between ''House Party'' and ''The Temptations Do The Temptations'' and was replaced by Glenn Leonard. Dennis Edwards left The Temptations when the group, citing the label's inattention as the reason for their declining sales and popularity, departed Motown for [[Atlantic Records]] in [[1977]]. The Atlantic Temptations releases, with Louis Price as the main lead vocalist in Edwards' place, did no better than their Motown releases, and Berry Gordy fought to re-sign The Temptations to Motown, finally succeeding in [[1980]].

===Return to Motown and ''Reunion''===
Upon the return to Motown, Price departed from the group, and Dennis Edwards returned to the lineup. Berry Gordy co-wrote and produced The Temptations' first single under the new contract, "Power", which missed the Top 40 but hit #11 on the R&B charts. Two years of underperforming singles and albums followed until, in [[1982]], Motown began making plans for a Temptations reunion tour.

Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin, whose solo careers had by now run dry, agreed to re-join The Temptations for the ''Reunion'' album and tour. Motown [[funk music|funk]] star [[Rick James]], who had used The Temptations as backup vocalists on his [[1981]] hit "[[Super Freak]]", wrote, produced, and guest starred on the album's lead single, "Standing on the Top". The song, which featured Ruffin, Kendricks, and Dennis Edwards on lead, went to #6 on the R&B charts. The ''Reunion'' tour with all seven Temptations (Ruffin, Kendricks, Edwards, Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, Richard Street, and Glenn Leonard) was only partially successful; Kendricks' voice had weakened after decades of [[chain smoker|chain smoking]], and Ruffin, still addicted to [[cocaine]], missed a number of the performances. At the conclusion of the ''Reunion'' tour, Ruffin and Kendricks were fired; they began touring and performing together as a duo. Glenn Leonard also left and was replaced by [[Ron Tyson]].

[[Image:Tempts-1998-phoenix.jpg|thumb|left| The cover to The Temptations' [[1998]] album ''Phoenix Rising''.]]
===From the 1980s to the 1990s===
By this time, The Temptations' releases were no longer performing well on the pop charts, though they sometimes made the R&B Top 20. "Love on My Mind Tonight" made it to #17, and "Sail Away", produced by a returning Norman Whitfield, made it to #13. In [[1984]], Edwards left the group for a solo career, and was replaced with [[Ali-Ollie Woodson]], who sang lead on the #2 R&B hit "Treat Her Like A Lady", co-written by Woodson and Otis Williams. Woodson remained with The Temptations until [[1987]], when he was replaced by a returning (for the second time) Dennis Edwards.

Dennis Edwards left The Temptations for the third and final time in [[1988]], with Ali-Ollie Woodson re-joining the lineup. The same year, Otis Williams published his autobiography, ''Temptations'', which he co-authored with Patricia Romanowski. The book chronicled the careers of The Temptations from the Primes/Distants days to the present, focusing on the lives of Williams and his best friend Melvin Franklin. An updated version of the book was published in [[2002]].

In [[1989]], The Temptations were inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]], honoring Edwards, Franklin, Otis Williams, David Ruffin, Eddie Kendrick, and, posthumously, Paul Williams. After reuniting at the induction ceremony, Edwards, Ruffin, and Kendricks made plans to tour and record as "Ruffin/Kendrick/Edwards, Former Leads of The Temptations". The tour was carried out, much to the chagrin of Otis Williams and Motown, but production on the album was cut short when Ruffin, age 50, died on [[June 1]], [[1991]] after overdosing on cocaine. Kendrick was diagnosed with [[lung cancer]] and retired; he died on [[October 5]], [[1992]] at the age of 52 in his native Birmingham.

Richard Street left The Temptations in [[1992]] after a twenty-year association with the group, with Theo Peoples taking his place. Two years later, Melvin Franklin was forced to leave the group because of failing health; he died on [[February 23]], [[1995]] at age 52 after suffering a [[brain seizure]]. [[Ray Davis (musician)|Ray Davis]] from [[Parliament (band)|Parliament]] - [[Funkadelic]] assumed the bass role for the [[1995]] pop standards album ''For Lovers Only'', and Harry McGilberry became the permanent bass.

In [[1998]], The Temptations released ''Phoenix Rising'', their first million-selling album in over twenty years. The album was anchored by the single "Stay", a #1 hit on the adult contemporary charts that featured a [[sampling (music)|sample]] from The Temptations' "My Girl". By this time, Ali-Ollie Woodson and Theo Peoples had departed the group, replaced with Barrington "Bo" Henderson and Terry Weeks, respectively.

[[Image:Tempts-miniseries-2.jpg|right|thumb|A scene from the [[1998]] ''[[The Temptations (miniseries)|Temptations]]'' [[National Broadcasting Company|NBC]] [[miniseries]].]]

===''The Temptations'' mini-series===
1998 also saw the debut of ''[[The Temptations (miniseries)|The Temptations]]'', a four-hour [[television]] [[miniseries]] broadcast in two parts on [[National Broadcasting Company|NBC]] on [[November 1]] and [[November 2]], [[1998]]. The miniseries was a ratings success and won an [[Emmy Award|Emmy]] award for Best Direction; it was subsequently rerun on the [[VH-1]] cable television network and released to [[VHS]] and [[DVD]].

Otis Williams' ex-wife Josephine, Melvin Franklin's mother Rose Franklin, and, on David Ruffin's behalf, his family, filed [[lawsuit|suit]] against Williams, Motown, De Passe Entertainment, [[Hallmark Entertainment]], and NBC for a number of charges, including defamation of character. The judges ruled in favor of the defendants, and the ruling was upheld when the plaintiffs [[appeal]]ed in [[2001]].

===From the 1990s to the present day===

The Temptations were inducted into the [[Vocal Group Hall of Fame]] in [[1999]]. The next year, their latest album, ''Ear-Resistible'', won the group its third Grammy, this one for [[Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance|Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance]].

The current Temptations lineup of Otis Williams, Ron Tyson, Terry Weeks, new lead singer [[G.C. Cameron]] from [[The Spinners]], and bass Joe Herndon continue to record and perform on tour. Their latest album, ''Legacy'', was released in [[2004]]. In late 2004, The Temptations asked to be released from their Motown contract, and are now currently an independent act.

A number of ex-Temptations continue to perform outside of the group. Dennis Edwards tours frequently with his own group, sometimes billing himself as ''Dennis Edwards & The Temptations'' or ''The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards'', drawing the legal wrath of Motown. Ali-Ollie Woodson fronts an act called ''Ali-Ollie Woodson & the Emperors of Soul''--''Emperors of Soul'' being the name of the [[1994]] Temptations [[box set]]. Richard Street and Damon Harris sometimes perform together as well.

==Personnel==
''For a detailed listing of the various versions of The Temptations, see: [[Temptations chronology]]''.

===The Primes===
* [[Paul Williams (The Temptations)|Paul Williams]] ([[1955]] – [[1960]])
* [[Eddie Kendricks]] ([[1955]] – [[1960]])
* Kel Osbourne ([[1955]] – [[1960]])

===Otis Williams & the Distants===
''aka '''Otis Williams & the Siberians''' and '''The El Domingoes'''''
* [[Otis Williams]] ([[1958]] – [[1960]])
* [[Elbridge "Al" Bryant]] ([[1958]] – [[1960]])
* James "Pee-Wee" Crawford ([[1958]] – [[1959]])
* Vernard Plain ([[1958]] – [[1959]])
* Athrur Walton ([[1958]] – [[1959]])
* [[Melvin Franklin]] ([[1959]] – [[1960]])
* [[Richard Street]] ([[1959]] – [[1960]])
* Albert "Mooch" Harrell ([[1959]] – [[1960]])

===The Temptations===
''aka '''The Elgins'''''
* [[Otis Williams]] ([[1960]] – present)
* [[Elbridge "Al" Bryant]] ([[1960]] – [[1963]])
* [[Melvin Franklin]] ([[1960]] – [[1994]])
* [[Eddie Kendricks]] ([[1960]] – [[1971]], [[1982]] reunion)
* [[Paul Williams (The Temptations)|Paul Williams]] ([[1960]] – [[1971]])
* [[David Ruffin]] ([[1964]] – [[1968]], [[1982]] reunion)
* [[Dennis Edwards]] ([[1968]] –[[ 1977]], [[1980]] – [[1984]], [[1987]])
* Ricky Owens ([[1971]])
* [[Richard Street]] ([[1971]] – [[1992]])
* Damon Harris ([[1971]] – [[1975]])
* Glenn Leonard ([[1975]] – [[1982]])
* Louis Price ([[1977]] – [[1980]])
* [[Ron Tyson]] ([[1983]] – present)
* [[Ali-Ollie Woodson]] ([[1984]] – [[1986]], [[1987]] -[[1998]])
* Theo Peoples ([[1992]] – [[1998]])
* [[Ray Davis (musician)|Ray Davis]] ([[1994]] - [[1995]])
* Harry McGilberry ([[1995]] - [[2003]])
* Barrington “Bo” Henderson ([[1998]] - [[2003]])
* Terry Weeks ([[1998]] - present)
* [[G.C. Cameron]] ([[2003]] – present)
* Joe Herndon ([[2003]] – present)

==Discography==

''For a detailed listing of albums and singles, see: [[Temptations discography]]''.

===US and UK Top Ten Singles===

The following singles reached the Top Ten of either the [[Unites States]] pop singles chart or the [[United Kingdom]] pop singles chart. Also included are the singles that hit #1 on the US R&B charts.

* 1964: "[[My Girl (song)|My Girl]]" (US #1, R&B #1)
* 1966: "[[Get Ready (1966 song)|Get Ready]]" (R&B #1)
* 1966: "[[Ain't Too Proud to Beg]]" (R&B #1)
* 1966: "Beauty is Only Skin Dep" (US #3, R&B #1)
* 1966: "(I Know) I'm Losing You" (US #8, R&B #1)
* 1967: "All I Need" (US #8)
* 1967: "You're My Everything" (US #6)
* 1967: "I Wish It Would Rain" (US #4, R&B #1)
* 1968: "I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)" (R&B #1)
* 1968: "[[Cloud Nine (song)|Cloud Nine]]" (US #6)
* 1968: "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" (with [[Diana Ross & the Supremes]]) (US #2)
* 1969: "Runaway Child, Running Wild" (US #6, R&B #1)
* 1969: "[[I Can't Get Next to You]]" (US #1, R&B #1)
* 1969: "[[Psychedelic Shack (song)|Psychedelic Shack]]" (US #7)
* 1970: "[[Ball of Confusion (That's What the World is Today)]]" (US #3)
* 1971: "[[Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)]]" (US #1, R&B #1)
* 1972: "[[Papa Was a Rolling Stone]]" (US #1)
* 1973: "Masterpiece" (US #7, R&B #1)
* 1973: "Let Your Hair Down" (R&B #1)
* 1974: "Happy People" (R&B #1)
* 1975: "Shakey Ground" (R&B #1)
* 1981: "Super Freak (Part I)" ([[Rick James]] featuring The Temptations) (US #6)

===Top Ten Albums===

The following albums reached the Top Ten on either the United States pop albums chart or the United Kingdom pop albums chart.

* 1966: ''The Temptations' Greatest Hits'' (US #5)
* 1967: ''Temptations Live!'' (US #10)
* 1967: ''The Temptations With a Lot o' Soul'' (US #7)
* 1968: ''Diana Ross & The Supremes Join The Temptations'' (with [[Diana Ross & The Supremes]]) (US #2)
* 1968: ''[[TCB (television special)|TCB]]'' (with [[Diana Ross & The Supremes]]) (US #1)
* 1969: ''Cloud Nine'' (US #4)
* 1969: ''Puzzle People'' (US #5)
* 1970: ''[[Psychedelic Shack (album)|Psychedelic Shack]]'' (US #9)

===Samples===
;45 RPM mixes
* [/media/wikipedia/en/4/44/1959-distants-come-on.ogg Download sample] of "Come On" by Otis Williams & the Distants and [[The Andantes]] ''(lead: [[Richard Street]]).''
* [/media/wikipedia/en/e/e4/1964-tempts-the-way.ogg Download sample] of "The Way You Do the Things You Do" ''(lead: [[Eddie Kendricks]])''
* [/media/wikipedia/en/e/e5/1964-tempts-my-girl.ogg Download sample] of "My Girl" ''(lead: [[David Ruffin]])''
* [/media/wikipedia/en/b/b4/1966-tempts-get_ready.ogg Download sample] of "Get Ready" ''(lead: Eddie Kendricks)''
* [/media/wikipedia/en/6/6e/1966-tempts-aint-too-proud.ogg Download sample] of "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" ''(lead: David Ruffin)''
* [/media/wikipedia/en/7/77/1966-tempts-im-losing-you.ogg Download sample] of "(I Know) I'm Losing You" ''(lead: David Ruffin)''
* [/media/wikipedia/en/d/d7/1967-tempts-wish-it-would-rain.ogg Download sample] of "I Wish It Would Rain" ''(lead: David Ruffin)''

;Stereo mixes
* [/media/wikipedia/en/9/97/1968-tempts-cloud-9.ogg Download sample] of "Cloud Nine" ''(lead: all)''
* [/media/wikipedia/en/8/8e/1969-tempts-cant-get-next.ogg Download sample] of "I Can't Get Next to You" ''(lead: all)''
* [/media/wikipedia/en/2/20/1970-psychedelic-shack.ogg Download sample] of "Psychedelic Shack" ''(lead: all)''
* [/media/wikipedia/en/8/82/1970-tempts-ball_of_confusion.ogg Download sample] of "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World is Today)" ''(lead: all)''
* [/media/wikipedia/en/c/cc/1971-tempts-just-my-imagination.ogg Download sample] of "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)" ''(lead: Eddie Kendricks and [[Paul Williams (The Temptations)|Paul Williams]])''
* [/media/wikipedia/en/5/53/1972-tempts-papa-rolling-stone.ogg Download sample] of "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" ''(lead: all)''
* [/media/wikipedia/en/5/52/1982-tempts-james-standing-top.ogg Download sample] of "Standing on the Top" featuring [[Rick James]] ''(lead: [[Dennis Edwards]], Eddie Kendricks, Rick James, and David Ruffin)''
* [/media/wikipedia/en/5/59/1984-tempts-treat-her-like.ogg Download sample] of "Treat Her Like a Lady" ''(lead: [[Ali-Ollie Woodson]])''
* [/media/wikipedia/en/3/39/1998-tempts-stay.ogg Download sample] of "Stay" ''(lead: Barrington "Bo" Henderson and [[Ron Tyson]])''

==References==
* George, Nelson. "Cool as They Wanna Be". The Temptations: Emperors of Soul [CD Box Set]. New York: Motown Record Co., L.P.
* Graff, Gary (Aug 28, 1988). The Temptations: Otis tells the group's tale. ''Detroit Free Press''.
* Hardin, Ritchie (July 17, 2004). The Tangled History of The Temptations. ''The Ritchie Hardin Network''. Retrieved on February 9, 2005 from http://www.ritchie-hardin.com/soul/temps0.html.
* Posner, Gerald (2002). Motown : Music, Money, Sex, and Power. New York: Random House. ISBN 037-550062-6.
* Teegardin, Carol (April 6, 1986). [http://www.freep.com/motownat40/archives/040686mo.htm Eddie Kendrick: once again, he's doing fine on cloud nine]. ''Detroit Free Press''.
* Weinger, Harry (1994). "Sunshine on a Cloudy Day". The Temptations: Emperors of Soul [CD Box Set]. New York: Motown Record Co., L.P.
* [[Otis Williams|Williams, Otis]] and Romanowski, Patricia (1988, updated 2002). Temptations. Lanham, MD: Cooper Square. ISBN 081-541218-5.

==Further reading==
* George, Nelson (1985, rev. 2003). Where Did Our Love Go: The Rise and Fall of the Motown. London: Omnibus Press. ISBN 071-199511-7.

== External links ==
* [http://www.otiswilliams.net/main.aspx Otis Williams' offiical website (includes current tour schedule)]
* [http://www.rontyson.com/ Ron Tyson's official website]
* [http://www.thetemptations.net Official Motown/Universal Website for The Temptations]
* [http://classic.motown.com/artist.aspx?ob=ros&src=lb&aid=52 Classic Temptations page at Classic Motown website]
* [http://www.vocalhalloffame.com/Inductees/temptations.htm Vocal Group Hall of Fame page on The Temptations]
* [http://www.rockhall.com/hof/inductee.asp?id=199 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame page on The Temptations]

[[Category:American musical groups|Temptations]]
[[Category:Soul musical groups|Temptations]]
[[Category:Popular musical groups|Temptations]]
[[Category:R&B musical groups|Temptations]]
[[Category:Motown performers|Temptations]]
[[Category:Temptations| ]]

Revision as of 14:58, 1 March 2005

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