Otis williams
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The Temptations
The Temptations were born when the Distants merged with the Primes and discovered another singing group was using the name they selected for the group—the Elgins—and a new moniker was needed. Original members included Elbridge (Al) Bryant, Melvin Franklin, Eddie Kendricks, Otis Williams and Paul Williams. David Ruffin replaced Al Bryant soon after Motown signed the group.
Known for their fancy footwork, vocal versatility and showmanship, The Temptations are a major influence on R&B and soul music. Like their first Top 20 hit in 1964, “The Way You Do the Things You Do,” no other group could do things the way the Temptations did: They danced with elegant precision, sang with tight harmonies and sported the sharpest wardrobe in show business. Almost any member of the group could take the lead: Eddie with his sweet falsetto (“Just My Imagination”), Paul with his gritty baritone (“Don’t Look Back”), Melvin with his rumbling bass (“Old Man River”) and, of course, David, whose soulful second tenor was frequently called upon to handle the group’s up-front a
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Encyclopedia Of Detroit
Formed in 1960, the Temptations were one of the most successful male, African American vocal groups of the 1960s. Known for their distinct harmonies, choreography and wardrobes, they were highly influential in the evolution of R&B and soul music. They began as a merger between two groups, the Primes and the Distants and adopted the name, the Elgins. In 1961, Berry Gordy signed them to the Motown subsidiary Miracle label and changed the group’s name to the Temptations.
The founding members were originally part of two rival Detroit vocal groups: Otis Williams, Elbridge "Al" Bryant (later replaced by David Ruffin), and Melvin Franklin of the Distants, and Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams of the Primes. Although they had minor successes, it was not until 1964, when they started working with Smokey Robinson that they had their first big hit with “The Way You Do The Things You Do.” The Temptations continued to collaborate with Smokey, who helped them produce multiple hits, including “My Girl.” After Smokey, Norman Whitfield became the Temptations’ primary
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The Temptations
1999 Inductees
Members:
Melvin Franklin: October 12, 1942 - February 23, 1995
Otis Williams: October 30, 1941
Paul Williams: July 2, 1939 - August 17, 1973
Eddie Kendricks: December 17, 1939 - October 5, 1992
David Ruffin: January 18, 1941 - June 1, 1991
The most successful soul group of the 1960's, the Temptations, is known for intense vocals, tight harmonies, and dynamic rhythms-- all choreographed into an unforgettable stage routine.
The original lineup, Melvin Franklin (Montgomery, Alabama), Otis Williams (Texas), Paul Williams (Birmingham, Alabama), Eddie Kendricks (Birmingham, Alabama), and David Ruffin, joined forces in Detroit after being involved with different music groups for several years. Originally signed to Motown, Berry Gordy Jr. put Smokey Robinson in charge as the Temptations producer in 1964 and the hits started.
Their first hit song "The Way You Do The Things You Do" was R&B chart #11 in April 1964. It was followed by "Why You Wanna Make Me Blue", #26 in October 1964 and "My Girl", #1 in March 1965, which introduced the Temptations
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