Dec 082008

Artist Spotlight: The Temptations

Everyone, say welcome back to the Artist Spotlight! Music is so much a part of my life, and there are so many artists/bands/musicians that I adore that I want to use this space to acknowledge their influence on my world.

It is only right that I bring back the Artist Spotlight with The Temptations. Born in 1960 in Detroit, MI (I see you Keith!), The Temps were first known as The Elgins. Comprised of members from two groups (The Distants and The Primes), the original members of the Temps included Otis Williams, Al Bryant, Mel Franklin, Eddie Kendricks, and Paul Williams. Al Bryant was soon replaced in the lineup by David Ruffin, and my favorite era of The Temps took off.

The Music

Oh the music! There is nothing quite like a Temptations song…the harmony is basically perfect. These five brothers put together a foundation of voices that blended beautifully together, and gave us some of the best songs in history. One of my favorites has got to be “Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me). When you look up “crooning” in the dictionary, there should be a picture of Eddie Kendricks singing this song. Listening to this song, you can hear his longing for whoever this woman is, and it kinda makes you want to speak to her yourself and ask her what the hell is she thinking, not giving him the time of day.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Then there are the David Ruffin led tunes. Smooth as silk, with a bravado that is unmatched, David’s voice was sexy and could make you lose yourself. On “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg,” when he launches into the song with “I know you want to leave me, but I refuse to let you go,” you know you are in for a ride. And he delivers.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

And the signature song…who didn’t want to be this girl? Who didn’t want to be “sunshine on a cloudy day?” Or “the month of May” when its cold outside? This song still makes me smile…for reasons that I will not share. It is the ultimate compliment to any woman that you may love, so if you haven’t played it for her, go and do it now. I bet you get a smile out of her…and maybe something else.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

The Legacy

We all know the story of The Temptations…and the tragedy that seemed to follow them. From Paul Williams death (ruled as a suicide), to David Ruffin’s drug overdose, to Eddie Kendricks death to lung cancer, to Melvin Franklin’s death from a brain seizure, it would seem that The Temps were cursed. There were so many lineup changes due to infighting and egos that it was, at times, hard to follow. I don’t want to spend too much time reflecting on this, because it is the music that always remains important to me.

All in all, The Temptations left behind a legacy that is often duplicated and imitated, but has never been repeated. There have been countless groups that have tried to step into those shoes, but they have missed the mark. I believe (Marva’s opinion) the closest that have ever come close would be Boyz II Men (their harmonies are effortless). The one thing that separates BIIM from The Temptations is the dance steps…no one, and I do mean no one, could work a stage like The Temps!

Long live The Temptations…Temptations Forever!

Georgia

Like a celestial star shooting across the sky, their incredible talents burned so brightly that their times here could not sustain for very long. They leave us loving them, longing for more, and their legacy will live on. The movie was very touching. I could watch it over and over. I was only a small child when they first came on the scene, but loved them then and still. Their songs and voices sing to your heart. They were perfection. Temptations Forever!

virginia

I still love watching the movie "The Temptations" with LEON playing David Ruffin! Watched it last night and perhaps the week prior. I never grt enough it. I still haven't been able to find out who the fine chocolat brother is who played Mel Frankin AKA "BLUE"...eye candy to the max! Tematations For Ever ...God bless their souls.....Peace

Virginia

Sacramento!!

Noah

Yes the temps were without question the harmany and posssible the best band ever. Theres a movie that came out in 1998 called the temptations i watched it.The movie was great i just wished that the band would have helped David Ruffin and the kicked at least 3 people from the group.But yes[ my girl ][the way you do the things you do] The best band ever.

jaquita

i love yall expectally corn bread i love all yall omg!!!!!!

chuck

watch the tempts move its sad what these men went throught.

Bowel cancer symptoms

The ddie Kendricks story is really sad...

Malcolm

The Tempts are my favorite group without question. Just like you, my favorite period of their career is the "Classic Five" era of David, Eddie, Paul, Melvin, and Otis. They were so tough musically that even many of their B-sides and album tracks were worthy of being released as singles. Songs like "You've Got To Earn It", "What Love Has Joined Together", "Don't Look Back", "Just One Last Look", and "Cindy" just to name a few.

Besides greatest hits compilations, do you have any of their original albums on CD? My favorite album by them is 1967's "With A Lot O' Soul" followed by "Wish It Would Rain". A few years ago, Motown released all of their albums from roughly 1964-1973 as "2 For 1s" on one CD.

Good call on your assessment of Boyz II Men. I feel that they really missed the boat because they could have been "The Temptations of the modern era", but they released too many ballads as singles. I have no problem with ballads, but they should have balanced it with more uptempo tunes.