This is the story of the temptations and the troubles that plagued their history. i do realize i need a pop filter :) and i made a name mistake with louise price. Link to most recent temptations video: • Why Ball of Confusion ...
After Vietnam 70-71 I resumed my career as a professional drummer touring with many major acts. I had the honor of backing up the Temps and the 4tops and Archie bell and the drells at the 72 jazz festival in Cincinnati They were God given sweethearts Mel brown was their regular drummer and it escapes me why he didn't show .it was the high point of. My life.
That’s such a good story to tell man. I also always have an appreciation for Vietnam vets since I have 2 family members who are vets. Thanks for sharing that with me
@@Oddrockz your family vets are heroes. We all left a PC of our soul over there. I went in a 19 yr old kid and came home 🏡 a 100 yr old man. Life and music went hand in hand ✋ for me in the 70's. Thanks so much for your reply lots of love and hugs and kisses in life for my brother. Billy
The only group that was maintained at Motown was the Four Tops. The Four Tops did not let the fame or Motown tear them up. Berry Gordy tried to push Levi Stubbs to go solo but he said no.
Like Brian Jackson, Gil Scott-Heron’s band mate said, the music business has a thing about the number 1. Clive Davis didn’t want him and only wanted Gil Scott-Heron. Gil wasn’t having it.
I grew up in the Motown era everybody's family knew somebody that was at Motown Temptations Supremes thank you for that positive piece of information the power of the Four Tops was teamwork
I am 73 n grew up in the 60's n we didn't have social media n the bs that comes with it. Back then and even now it's all about the music nothing else matters n the music will live on forever
Paul Williams "shot himself" in the temple on the opposite side of his head from the hand the gun was found in - very suspicious. There were a lot of oddities involved in David Ruffin's death as well.
The death of Paul Williams is interesting to say the least. His family says he committed suicide so I’m inclined to believe them ofc. Hard to deny his circumstances were strange. David’s death is also very mysterious
The curse to me was the fact that there was so much drama and such through the years of the temptations. Just a group that only recently gotten over that
I love the movie but it does get a lot wrong unfortunately. More than what could be chalked up to honest mistakes. I also wish it was more detailed in the second part but I understand it’s focused on the original 5
Something I thought about during my concert experience in Newark, NJ back in December. Not only is Otis the last survivor of the original AND classic line ups he’s also the last survivor of the first psychedelic Dennis led line up and the Damon-Richard Era as well. That means out of the first FOUR lineups he’s the last man standing. Crazy.
@@kathrynmcmorrow7170 They’re starting to have a problem now with other groups performing as “The Temptations” tho. Otis said it himself. I suspect they’re talking Glenn Leonard’s Temptations Experience and the Dennis Edwards Revue (who still perform despite Dennis being deceased).
The Temptations were Not Cursed, these beautiful men lived life and worked in a business that was not easy, and at a time that was much harder than now for who they were. And to say what they thought and felt, and truly their intimate interactions with one another is only an opinion. They truly had troubles, but always found a way to make it work for a Very long time. They were all Brothers who cared for each other, and a great success story!!
They band name speaks volumes what those the bible say about temptation sad to not take heed to God's wisdom I know we all sin but I pray that we don't die in it lord please help us all every day is the day of Thanksgiving
The Greatest R&B group of all time my opinion and many others the classic temptation lineup of Eddie Kendricks, David Ruffin, Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin and Paul Williams
Their success is what other singers followed but according to other witnesses "the 4 tops" was the desired group to follow, they'd been singing and performing long before "the temptations ", most groups at Motown had to take etiquette classes and media training, on the other hand the tops did not.
The people that were born in the 1940s were blessed with the special gift of singing music and stage presentation skills. No other decades can match them except for Michael Jackson who was born in the 50s.
Do one for my all time favorite Frankie Lymon. I hated the “Why Do Fools Fall in Love” movie. They made it based on his wives & not his music career. 🙏🏽
The Temptations Past/Present Members: 1.Last surviving founding member Otis Williams (October 30th,1941) (Second Tenor/Baritone) (Group years: 1960-) Still performing 2.Founding member Elbridge Bryant (September 28th,1939- October 26th,1975) (Tenor/Baritone) (Group years: 1960-1963) Died on October 26th,1975 3.Founding member Melvin Franklin (October 12th,1942- February 23rd,1995) (Bass) (Group years: 1960-1995) Died on February 23rd,1995 4.Founding member Eddie Kendricks (December 17th,1939- October 5th,1992) (First Tenor/Falsetto) (Group years: 1960-1971; 1982 Reunion) Died on October 5th,1992 5.Founding member Paul Williams (July 2nd,1939- August 17th,1973) (Second Tenor/Baritone) (Group years: 1960-1971) Died on August 17th,1973 6.David Ruffin (January 18th,1941- June 1st,1991) (Falsetto/Tenor/Baritone) (Replaced founding member Elbridge Bryant) (Group years: 1964-1968; 1982 Reunion) Died on June 1st,1991 7.Dennis Edwards (February 3rd,1943- February 1st,2018) (Tenor/Baritone) (Replaced David Ruffin) (Group years: 1968-1977; 1980-1984; 1987-1989) Died on February 1st,2018 8.Richard Street (October 5th,1942- February 27th,2013) (Tenor/Baritone) (Replaced founding member Paul Williams) (Group years: 1971-1993) Died on February 27th,2013 9.Ricky Owens (April 24th,1939- December 6th,1995) (First Tenor/Falsetto) (Replaced founding member Eddie Kendricks) (Group years: 1971; Three shows) Died on December 6th,1995 10.Damon Harris (July 17th,1950- February 18th,2013) (First Tenor/Falsetto) (Replaced Ricky Owens) (Group years: 1971-1975) Died on February 18th,2013 11.Glenn Leonard (June 11th,1947) (First Tenor/Falsetto) (Replaced Damon Harris) (Group years: 1975-1983) Performs now with his own Temptations tribute group 12.Louis Price (March 29th,1953) (Tenor/Baritone) (Replaced Dennis Edwards) (Group years: 1977-1980) Performs sporadically as a solo artist 13.Ron Tyson (February 8th,1948) (First Tenor/Falsetto) (Replaced Glenn Leonard) (Group years: 1983-) Still performs with Otis Williams 14.Ali-Ollie Woodson (September 12th,1951- May 30th,2010) (Tenor/Baritone) (Replaced Dennis Edwards) (Group years: 1984-1987; 1989-1996; 2002) Died on May 30th,2010 15.Theo Peoples (January 24th,1961) (Second Tenor/Baritone) (Replaced Richard Street) (Group years: 1993-1998) Performs now as a solo artist and with Temptations/Four Tops’ tribute groups 16.Ray Davis of The Parliament/Funkadelic (March 29th,1940- July 5th,2005) (Bass) (Replaced founding member Melvin Franklin) (Group years: 1993-1995) Died on July 5th,2005 17.Harry McGilberry (January 19th,1950- April 3rd,2006) (Bass) (Replaced Ray Davis) (Group years: 1995-2003) Died on April 3rd,2006 18.Terry Weeks (December 23rd,1963) (Tenor/Baritone) (Replaced Ali-Ollie Woodson) (Group years: 1997-) Still performs with Otis Williams 19.Barrington “Bo” Henderson (June 10th,1956) (Tenor/Baritone) (Replaced Theo Peoples) (Group years: 1998-2003) Performs with a Stylistics’ tribute group 20.Joe Herndon (January 5th,1949) (Bass) (Replaced Harry McGilberry) (Group years: 2003-2015) Performs with another group 21.G.C. Cameron (September 21st,1945) (Tenor/Baritone) (Replaced Barrington “Bo” Henderson) (Group years: 2003-2007; 2019) Performs as a solo artist 22.Bruce Williamson (September 28th,1970- September 6th,2020) (Tenor/Baritone) (Replaced G.C. Cameron) (Group years: 2007-2015) Died on September 6th,2020 23.Larry Braggs (1963) (Tenor/Baritone) (Replaced Bruce Williamson) (Group years: 2015-2019) Performs as a solo artist 24.Willie Greene (August 28th,1955) (Bass) (Replaced Joe Herndon) (Group years: 2015-2022) Now sings with Lyle Lovett 25.Mario Corbino (April 25th,1969) (Tenor/Baritone) (Replaced Larry Braggs) (Group years: 2020-2021) Performs as a solo artist 26.Tony Grant (October 22nd,1967) (Tenor/Baritone) (Replaced Mario Corbino) (Group years: 2021-) Still performs with Otis Williams 27.Jawan M.Jackson (April 25th,1987) (Bass) (Replaced Willie Greene) (Group years: 2022-) Still performs with Otis Williams
The original temps could sing anything from R&B,Blues,Country,Classical,anything in between,and make it sound great.I think the breakup was personal because of Eddie and Diane pass relation.
In my humble opinion, once Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams left the group they were no longer a super group. They became just another R&B group in a era with a lot of great R&B groups!
That’s a fair take. For me it started to fall apart when Damon was let go. I’m not a huge fan of Glenn Leonard on the temptations. Damon at least was able to maintain the falsetto parts for the temptations at the same level as Eddie. Richard was also a serviceable replacement for Paul considering the direction the music was going
@@Pjsixty60 it’s my opinion, I think the temptations got better with Dennis cause the music got better. Not saying Dennis or anyone else was a better singer but I just like that lineup more
As Richard Street said after being fired. Everyone in the group eventually got fired but the least talented. Otis, the easiest to replace , controlled everything .
Once one in particular went solo. The spiraling down began and unbelievable reports surfaced from ones who latched onto to such a some like parasites for life.
I wanted to focus on the main 5 and some of the other guys from the older eras. I stopped at the 90’s essentially after melvin passed away cause I didn’t want to go to close to the present
@@williebowen1043 again, I wasn’t gonna talk about the present. That’s where my take ends. I’m sorry if that bothers you but that’s where I wanted it to end. God bless you chief
Elbridge Bryant was never a lead singer on their Meet The Temptations album or any other recording that I am aware of. His was always a background singer's role just like Otis'. They didn't hit stride until Ruff' took the lead! Eddie and Paul set the stage for what would ultimately become The Classic Five. The final piece of that historic ensemble was completed with the addition of the signature voice of one of the greatest lead singers and showmen, Mr. Davis Eli Ruffin, when he told the world about the sunshine he had on a cloudy day...May he rest in peace. ✝️
@@Oddrockz I know that. His voice is difficult to discern in the harmony, which in my opinion significantly minimizes his contribution to their legacy. Although some make a big deal of the fact that he preceded Ruff', as one of the original Temptations. When Eddie is singing lead, Otis steps up to first tenor. When Paul is leading, Al sings baritone. He is not included on T.W.Y.D.T.T.Y.D. the only real hit from that album, and the first for The Classic Five! Not hatin' on Al, but his departure turned out to be little more than, "Don't let the doorknob hitcha...", and, "Good riddance!"
Damn Otis fired a lot of people like changing underwears! The ones that did resign either had bad health issues or the situation would be so bad to force them to quit.
@@Oddrockz I could understand David Ruffin because no matter how good someone is, if you start missing work, showing up late and thinking they know it all when you don't, You are destined to fall! Not only that but it only takes one Domino to fall for the rest to fall with it. So Otis did the right thing on firing David even though he was extremely talented. Richard Street and Paul Williams we're also done dirty. I mean Richard Street was getting a kidney stone removed for crying out loud and then Paul Williams went from being the group's choreographer, having leads to basically having little to no say, rarely having leads and basically being demoted to a background singer. That must have been a blown to him, along with having an affair and his declining heath. I don't think he saw his life the same after that and probably felt like there was no hope left in the world. However, I don't believe he committed suicide because he was shot two times and he was shot with his weak hand and I read somewhere that his girlfriend lover killed him.
I wonder what's stopping The Temptations movie from being released on blu-ray? Since it was recorded on film in the late 90's, I would imagine that a 16:9 formatting could be possible, with full, untouched information, with extra information. DVD does not cut it.
That’s a good point. I’m of the belief that the film needs a redo. It does spread some misinformation and would be cool to see a different interpretation of the film
Great group I met Dennies and Richard Street Dennies was married to Ruth Pointer of the Pointer Sister's ( whom I know) the have a daughter Idea together she sings along with the the Pointers I met Richard the day I met Dennies in the 80s here in northern California..Two nice guys
@@samrainey6523 don't know where you got your information from. Yes he once dated Aretha but was very much married to Ruthie..I know the Pointer family very well..Check your facts honey..Matter of fact Google it! They got married and had a daughter name Issa..Like I said I know the family very well! Talk to Ruthie's oldest daughter just about everyday
Good morning thanks bro .The Temps were correct not to let the group become David Ruffin and the Temps. The Supremes only became Dianna Ross and because of the romance of Berry and her. The world knows the best singer in the Supremes was Florence Ballard. Berry and Dianna were wicked.
Every group had that one particular person that brung out the best of the group. Teddy Pendergrass of the Bluenotes, Philippe Wynne of The Spinners, Marvin Junior of The Dells, and Diana Ross of The Supremes. But you had three individuals that brought out the best of The Temptations, David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, and Dennis Edwards. In the 1980s you had Ollie Ali Woodson and Ron Tyson.
Im using headphones to listen to this video when I noticed, it's recorded in mono. Bro, in this day and age? Mono? No, it's not the headphones I'm using cause other videos and media works fine.
It had to be something personal against Ruff or ruff just didn't want to rejoin or sumn because how could you give Dennis chance after chance but not David who to me had the most unique yet pleasant vocals I've ever heard my 6 month old twins just hush and listen when I play any song with ruff as lead vocalist that's how captivating his voice is
They suffered curses mixed with an abundance of blessings...especially to fans who love their music. I'm not 100% sure....but Damon Haris and Richard Street died days apart from each other.
Lets be real the original Temptations were the Temptations... Everything after that was the emitaions.. although they done the best they could to replace and i did like some of the guys like oli and the tenor they have right now .. he could sing a song i especially like "Truly for you".. and Tempt me"... actually I like everything he did... He's no Eddie but he is a special talent..
Paul didn't leave before Eddie, Paul was still around. When Ricky Owens failed Damon came in . Richard would sing on the side for Paul. Paul quit late 1971
He didn’t leave but was more or less absent from the group. I’m aware of that.Ricky Owens isn’t exactly necessary for the point I was making so was left absent considering his time was so short. I did mention street and his connections in the late 60’s
@@Oddrockz Paul was still performing with the temptations when Damon got added . Street officially took over after the spot was found on Paul's liver. I get your point
From the research I did on this video, there just wasn’t a lot of information on Woodson so I felt that it was more appropriate to avoid mentioning him rather than try to speculate on his history with the group
I’m not a huge fan of Otis but he did keep a solid core of that group together. Plus he does a lot to maintain their legacy as the best of the best which anyone could appreciate
There's pro's & con's to OTIS'S reputation. The public won't really ever know what happened within the group but the actual members. While OTIS enhanced and helped the legacy of the Temptations be what it is today he didn't value or regard founding members that helped him build the group to the prestige it has today!!
@georgebrice8329 It's not doing the job better, unfortunately EDDIE & PAUL were gone from the group & passed away to keep the whole legacy of the group going. OTIS didn't build the legacy by himself, EDDIE, PAUL & even MELVIN are underappreciated as founding members
@OSLO+ I agree with on that that he didn't do by himself but the point you missing my brother was he was the voice of reason in that group he had to keep em in check look I didn't agree with a lot of stuff he did but certain things had to be done who else was going to be the voice of reason in that group David Ruffin
The Temp's set the stander for every group that followed... Especially when it came to choreography ... Period... Falsettos as weii as base singers took thier que from the Tempting Temptations.. No bones about it... Keep it real....
Glenn Leonard wasn’t fired. He said that he told Otis and Melvin that it was time for him to move on, and he wanted to spend more time with his wife and children. He also wanted to get close to God, and he became a minister.
@@jaylene.turner6524 I know about him becoming a minister. As someone who’s into ministry I actually like his story. There just isn’t too much information like that’s available to me at this time since I’m doing college stuff. Thanks for the information!
Glenn left the group on his own...he left because they were talking about brringing Eddie back...and he overheard Melvin saying that we the group and the fans want to bring you (Eddie) back in the group. And Dennis left to go solo in 1977...Dennis in 1987 was asked by Ron Tyson to come back in to do some shows until Ali was ready to come back.
@Brennan McMahon that current too. I'm reading Richard's book as we speak. And I also interviewed Glenn Leonard...he mentioned what was happening then.
Otis does spread a lot of misinformation which even for me had me messed up when doing research. I think he means well now a days but for awhile he was on some shit
Damon was fired because the group was going over a song for the A Song For You album. Berry liked a particular line Damon sung and he wanted Damon to sing it again. Damon told Berry that he was tired and Berry told Otis to get rid of him, because of his attitude.
Actually Elbridge Bryant hit Paul over the head with a beer bottle and Paul had to get sent to the hospital or he would’ve died Paul forgave him but Al said one time during a show “let Eddie and Melvin do all the dancing while we stand back here and look good for the bitches” after that Otis fired him
@@alexandradillard2077 he only really sings lead on Isn’t She Pretty because it’s kinda like an ensemble but other than that no he doesn’t sing lead just Paul and Eddie (in his natural Tenor except Paradise)
The group was phenomenal but it was ridiculous that you have the least important contributor be the one who runs the group. Otis was strictly a backup singer and Motown should have never allowed him to make the changes he made.
I want to say Motown liked him as the leader because he was good with working with Motown but the fact that they ended up leaving and crawling back to Motown confuses me on that end
David wasn’t fired. Dennis in interviews says David came to him high as hell at 3am. And said I want you to replace me. Because they were best friends. Why Dennis would give David the mic during the tempts older songs during live shows. It wasn’t just David running and stealing the mic.
I’m aware that David wanted Dennis to replace him. And as I said before he was given a second chance but him being let go from the temptations is how I understood it
@@Oddrockz okay. Cause it’s even truth that David is in cloud nine. And they couldn’t completely replace his vocals. 🤙🏽 showing he was def in the group longer than Otis likes to let folks think 😝
@@MFjaYWiLL see I like Otis a lot but it’s hard to deny he tells his own version of things and because many of the guys that were there are dead, it’s hard for people to dispute it. Plus the guys that are alive often are on his side so the truth gets clouded at times
@@MFjaYWiLL also could you source me something that confirms that David was on cloud 9. I find that to be super interesting and would like to learn about that
@@Oddrockz read Richard streets book. Most of the tempts HATED Otis and Shelly. Otis was a sell out. David was a revolutionary one of the first speaking out on the shady deals Motown gave them. The whole David Ruffin and the temptations idea was because having a headliner got you more money and they could get their own deals away from Shelly and Gordy.
Well in groups like that, there has to be someone to keep everyone in check. I understand it. However I feel there was a time where was telling his own story of things. Now I believe he does everything for the legacy of his brothers
Like this was also my first venture into this style of video so don’t expect too much out of it. The more I do the better I’ll be. I also don’t know why this of all videos popped off. Every video I made after is better than this one
