Who is Paul Williams?

Paul Williams is a founding member; the original lead singer; and the soul gripping baritone of Motown’s world renowned Temptations.  Not only was he their original lead singer,
he is responsible for developing their image.  Paul is responsible for their dancing technique;
the intricate steps and the sensual moves and their style.

When was Paul Williams born?

Paul Williams was born on Sunday, July 2, 1939.  He was originally from Birmingham, the Ensley section, Alabama, where he lived until he was a teenager. He lived in Cleveland, Ohio, for some time before finally settling in Detroit, Michigan, until his untimely passing in 1973.
Paul’s blessed, generous, and gifted soul was set free on Friday, August 17, 1973.

How did Paul Williams get started in music?

Paul began singing in the choir at church, on street corners and wherever else he could.  He along with lifelong best friend, Eddie Kendrick, both sang in the same choir as well as in their spare time.  Paul had music deep within his soul.  Paul knew he wanted to sing, his early influences were Clyde McPhatter, the Five Royales, The Midnighters, and Little Willie John, to name a few.
Paul played both the piano and guitar well, and also played the drums.
He had an impressive vocal range; although his natural range is baritone,
he was able to sing in tenor as well as in the bass range.

What was Paul Williams’ first experience in music?

At about sixteen, Paul, along with childhood friends, Eddie Kendrick and Kell Osbourne, traveled north to Cleveland, Ohio to pursue their love of music.  Once in Cleveland, the three young men formed a singing group, Doo Wop, which included, in addition to Paul, Eddie and Kell, Willy Waller, Paul Hayes and Fred Fluellen.  The group met Milton Jenkins and relocated to Detroit, for greater opportunity, and later became the Primes.  Milton Jenkins became their manager, and while in Detroit, the young men had the brilliant idea to form a female counterpart, which they recruited for a young Florence G. Ballard to include three other young ladies and christened them the Primettes, who later in some form became the Supremes. 

Paul Williams … Temptations?

After the Primes disbanded, Paul Williams and Eddie Kendrick began singing lead backed by Otis Williams, Elbridge Bryant and Melvin Franklin.  These men formed the Elgins in 1960, later becoming the legendary Temptations, after signing with the Motown recording label.
The group recorded quite a few singles with Paul mainly leading.
Paul remained a focal performing member of the group through 1971 and acted as a consultant until 1973.

How did Paul Williams adjust to the socially-conscious era of the Temptations?

Paul sang lead with Dennis Edwards, who joined in 1968, on Motown’s first Grammy Award-Winner-the incredible “Cloud Nine”.  His vocals were always clearly heard on all Temptations songs, when Eddie, David (Davis) Ruffin, who’d joined in 1964, or Dennis sang lead, and even when he sang lead.  But in this era, his vocal prowess added more credibility to the consciousness detailed in the songs.  His personal leads were just as soulful and gripping as in the previous eras of the Temptations,
but within the highly political and social unrest of the latter 1960s and early 1970s,
Paul breathed life into the issue-laden lyrics that mirrored the times.  

Why was Paul Williams no longer an active member of the Temptations?

Paul Williams suffered from Sickle Cell Anemia.  Sickle cell disease is an inherited disorder that affects red blood cells. People with sickle cell disease have red blood cells that become hard and pointed instead of soft and round. Sickle cells cause anemia, pain and many other problems.  Among the medical problems are lung tissue damage, pain episodes, heart attack, and stroke and may cause death. The blockage of blood flow caused by sickled cells also causes damage to most organs including the spleen, kidneys and liver.  Paul had to travel with oxygen during flights because at altitudes over 10,000 feet in the air, with anemia, his blood would sickle. Paul had to eventually stop touring due to the complications of this disease.

Was Paul Williams really a lead singer with the Temptations?

Yes! Paul had many leads with the Temptations; in addition to the hit, “Don’t Look Back”.  Although, his leads weren’t promoted as much as the more popular leads of Eddie, David or Dennis, Paul has an extensive array of leads worth exploring. He always sang a solo number in their shows, on television and specials and brought the house down in the process. He actually sang lead during their Motown audition and according to Berry Gordy, was the main reason they were signed to the label.  Had Paul not sang lead that fateful day, we would never come to know Eddie Kendrick, David Ruffin, Dennis Edwards or the Temptations, as they were.

Did Eddie Kendrick actually credit Paul Williams with his career in music?

Eddie always acknowledged Paul with his start in music. He stated in an article that,
"he [Paul] was the first to discover we had music in our heads."

Dennis Edwards also thanked Paul for his support and encouragement when he first joined the popular group.  He always shares how Paul helped him find his way when he became a member.
He stated, "You know, I know that if the late, great Paul Williams had been here, I wouldn’t be up here; but I just want to thank him (emotional pause) for showing me MY way when he was in the group.  He gave me all (emotional pause) All the inspiration I needed."
He still thanks Paul to this day! 

Where should I start to hear Paul Williams’ vocal prowess?

Paul’s voice is all over the Meet The Temptations album, originally released in 1964.  The album has been re-released and is available on CD at various stores.  On the re-release, with two additional tracks, Paul sings lead on nine tracks, in addition to a beautiful duet with his best friend and fellow member, Eddie. The psychedelic-era, after David and began with Dennis, Paul gives meaning to the messages within their songs.  He has at least one lead on all of the Temptations albums, including live albums and the duets with the Supremes, during his active tenure with the Temptations, and even sang on some albums post-1971.  The exception is the 1971 release Sky’s the Limit; Paul sings on the album, but has no actual leads, save his riveting bridge on “Just My Imagination”. 

Many of Paul’s leads that were previously unreleased can be found on the numerous Temptations compilations very easily available on CD, in most cases.  Two of his solo tracks were included on One by One: The Best of Their Solo Years; one of which, “Feel Like Givin’ Up, was penned by his soul brother, Eddie Kendrick.  

Paul sang popular, standards in addition to songs of love.
His voice is so versatile; he is able to handle all song styles with aplomb.

What is Paul Williams’ legacy?

“When I first heard the Temptations sing, I knew right then and there, there was a sound…When I first heard the Temptations sing it reminded me of the spiritual background that I came from,” David (Davis) Ruffin.

Paul Williams is best known as the original lead singer, the choreographer and visionary of the Temptations.  Paul was the one that gave them their originality; he designed their shows, developed their style and sealed their deal with Motown, with that incredibly soulful, fascinating vocal talent.  He was the constant source of their sound, style and unit throughout the successful and best known years as a group.  Although in ensuing years, to the general public, it seemed as if Paul was relegated to grounding their background vocals due to the lack of promotion from Motown. Notedly, he was prominently showcased during many television performances, televised specials, and all live shows. And to dedicated fans and enthusiasts, he will forever be remembered as the founder, their leader- their foundation of the excellence,
the very core of their attraction to fans, peers and music execs, alike.

Paul Williams was posthumously inducted, as a member of the Temptations, into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in 1989, and into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, in 1999.