THE TEMPTATIONS

It all started in the late 50's, by a highschool boy with a dream. In the late 1950's, Otis Williams and friends Elbridge Bryant,Pee-Wee and Richard Street, forming Otis Williams and the Siberians. They had no major success, they were just another unsigned act in Detroit. It was then that one day Otis met Melvin Franklin. Melvin, thinking Otis was trouble ran away thinking Otis was trying to picka fight with him. When Otis introduced himself to Melvin and his mother Momma Rose, they began to be close friends, and Melvin joined the group. In early 1960, the group changed their name to the Distants, where they had a local hit "Come One". Later on, the group sort of split up, just leaving Otis and Melvin. It was coincidental that Paul Williams and Eddie Kendricks, members of a rival group, The Primes, had part ways with Kell Osbourne and were looking for a group to sing with. Melvin,Otis,Elbridge (returned) and Paul&Eddie formed "The Elgins". They auditioned for Motown with they're song they had been practicing called "Oh Mother". They were offered a contract on the spot, and changed they're names to the Temptations. The group spent hours a day working on they're act. otis, was in charge of business, Paul with his sexy dance moves covered that area, and Eddie covered the fashion. In 1962 and 1963, the group would see no major success, even with Smoky Robinson and Berry Gordy doing the writing. "Paradise","Dream Come True","I want a love I can see", and others didn't fo very well. The group would mostly sing back up on the Revue tours. New Years 1963, trouble would arise, Elbridge's constant drinking and bad attitude reached its peak when the group wanted to go back on stage for an encore and Elbridge refused, breaking a beer bottle on the side of Paul's head. It was that night that the group performed a duet with David&Jimmy Ruffin. In early 1964, David would join the group. Helping them score the groups first hit, "The Way You Do The Things You Do". But the group would have much success after that with such hits as: "The Girl's Alright", The #1 Smach "My Girl", "Aint Too Proud To Beg","I'm Losing You","Get Ready","For Once In My Life","The Impossible Dream","I Wish it Would Rain", and many more. By 1968, trouble had arose. David's constant showboating and blossoming ego with a drug problem had gotten on the groups last nerve and in 1968, David was dismissed, and Contour's singer Dennis Edwards was in. He gave the group they're first grammy with the hit "Cloud Nine", followed by "I Can't Get Next To You", "Don't Let The Jonses Get You Down","Papa Was A Rolling Stone" and more. By 1971, Paul Williams' health was getting bad and chose to leave the group, in that year Eddie Kendricks also left the group for a solo career. Both were replaced by Richard Street and Damon Harris. In 1973, was the tragic suicide of Paul Williams, it was a very tragic loss. By 1976 Dennis would also leave the group to pursue a solo career, being replaced by Ali Woodson. While David Ruffin had a solo career, as Eddie and Dennis the Temptations would go through many personnel changes. In 1980, they left Motown Records for Atlantic. By this time David Ruffin,Eddie Kendricks and Dennis Edwards joined forces, and went out on a U.S tour. By this time the Temptations had went back to Motown (1981). In 1982 was the Temptations Reunion Tour and album. Otis,Melvin,Eddie,Dennis,David,Glenn and Richard. The tour was great but talks of anything permanent were now out the window. Eddie had lost his voice, and David kept pulling the same ol' shannaigans that were not helping. In 1985, Ruffin&Kendricks would do an outstanding Apollo performance with Hall&Oates, followed by a duo album in 1987 titled "Ruffin&Kendricks". In 1989 the group (Otis,Melvin,David,Eddie,Denis,postumously Paul) were entered the the Rock&Roll Hall Of Fame. In that year Ruffin,Kendricks and Edwards would join up again for a world tour. In 1991, the music world suffered a tragic loss, as David Ruffin,50, died of respitory failure, die to a drug overdose. In 1992 Eddie Kendricks would succumb to lung cancer and also pass away. In 1995, Melvin Franklin would join his former group mates,causes unknown. Only Otis Williams and Dennis Edwards remain fo the original Motown 5. Dennis has his own group and still sings today as "The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards". Otis Williams has a whole new group of Temptations, and they continue to sing today. the Temptations' legacy will live on in the hearts of many, and the original as well as current members, will not be forgotten.

Temptations

Otis Williams Melvin Franklin Eddie Kendricks Paul Williams David Ruffin Dennis Edwards Richard Street Damon Harris Glenn Leonard

Reunion Tour Photo's Discography Dennis Vs Temptations(court) Ruffin's Funeral Ruffin&Kendricks Ruffin Discography Kendricks Disco...