RRHOF Temptations

[edafan]

Since we lost 3 great singers
from the Temptations recently.

I am going to write about omissions from their RRHOF group

Richard Street 1971 - 1993 and he did sing lead on Heavenly.
He should be in the Temptations RRHOF group.

--------------------------------------------------------------

a lesser case could be made for the following

Allie Ollie Woodson
on and off from 1984 - 1997
and a lead singer on Treat Her Like A Lady

--------------------------------------------

Damon Harris
only
1971 - 1975
but he was a lead singer
during some of their creative years

------------------------------------------------------


and just on longevity

Ron Tyson 1983 - present


Does anyone else feel the same?

edafan

[splanky]

I really haven't cared about the RRHOF much over the last 20+ years but after seeing this
thread I have to say if we're going to have such institutions which can and do influence music distribution and purhase in this country they can at least strive for some damn accuracy. Richard Street, damn right, for his tenure and leads or co-leads on much of the best post Paul Williams material. Same for Damon Harris,although he was only in the group
a short time it was that line up which produced big hit sellers, even earning the group a
Grammy. Incidentally, the friction and media mess that got 1990 boycotted [[Heavely was
from it) was one of worst things to happen professionally to any Motown act...Said, I'm on
the fence about Ron but his delivery on Sail Away did impress the mess outta me.Temptations forever....

[bradsupremes]

It's completely difficult to understand why the Rock Hall inducts only certain people of a group while they may induct a group's entire lineups. It makes no sense. Look at the Four Seasons...they inducted the original four [[Frankie Valli, Tommy DeVito, Nick Massi, and Bob Gaudio) yet completely ignored Joe Long who joined the group when it was still turning out hits and highly successful. Another example would be the Supremes with Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, and Florence Ballard and the omission of Cindy Birdsong. As I was told, they want to induct the members who were apart of the group when it was at its most influential. Certainly the Temptations continued their influence and success well into the 70's, but the lineups of David Ruffin, Otis Williams, Paul Williams, Eddie Kendricks, Melvin Franklin, and Dennis Edwards were when the group was at its best thus probably why they were inducted not the others.

[splanky]

Um, brad, you seem to be overlooking the fact that both Richard and Damon were major
players in Dennis Edwards second era of leads on Temptations sucessful sellers. Damon
sold the mess out of Papa Was A Rolling Stone and Richard's lead on Hey Girl [[I Like Your
Style) which opened the Masterpiece album told fans they could still turn out a beautiful
love song. As tracks like the aforementioned Heavenly and the gem Firefly proved later
they weren't done yet....

[jobeterob]

The RRHOF is a mess but sometimes it is group members causing other group members to be left out.

[Roberta75]

Since we lost 3 great singers
from the Temptations recently.

I am going to write about omissions from their RRHOF group

Richard Street 1971 - 1993 and he did sing lead on Heavenly.
He should be in the Temptations RRHOF group.

--------------------------------------------------------------

a lesser case could be made for the following

Allie Ollie Woodson
on and off from 1984 - 1997
and a lead singer on Treat Her Like A Lady

--------------------------------------------

Damon Harris
only
1971 - 1975
but he was a lead singer
during some of their creative years

------------------------------------------------------


and just on longevity

Ron Tyson 1983 - present


Does anyone else feel the same?

edafan

Good luck Ednafan I sure hope you get a good response.

My best to you.

Roberta

[bradsupremes]

Um, brad, you seem to be overlooking the fact that both Richard and Damon were major
players in Dennis Edwards second era of leads on Temptations sucessful sellers. Damon
sold the mess out of Papa Was A Rolling Stone and Richard's lead on Hey Girl [[I Like Your
Style) which opened the Masterpiece album told fans they could still turn out a beautiful
love song. As tracks like the aforementioned Heavenly and the gem Firefly proved later
they weren't done yet....

I'm not denying they didn't help in the success of the Temptations in the 70's, but when people think of the Temptations they are immediately going to think of "My Girl," "Ain't Too Proud To Beg," "The Way You Do The Things You Do," etc. The mental image will be of the 60's Temptations doing the Temptations walk and that's what the Rock Hall went with. Just like the Supremes. People are going to think of the 60's Supremes with Diana Ross and "Stop! In The Name of Love," "Baby Love," "You Keep Me Hangin' On," etc. Did Richard Street and Damon Harris deserve to have been included with the other Tempts? Yes. Just like Jean Terrell and Cindy Birdsong with the Supremes and Joe Long with the Four Seasons, but unfortunately the Rock Hall has never corrected their oversights and it's unlikely they will.

[edafan]

I looked up

http://www.otiswilliams.net

and in his history of the Temptations Otis has this:

1993 Richard Street leaves the Temptations for the last time.

I don't ever remember him leaving before.
So this may tell the answer.

edafan

It still doesn't mean it is right.

[splanky]

brad said:

when people think of the Temptations they are immediately going to think of "My Girl," "Ain't Too Proud To Beg," "The Way You Do The Things You Do," etc. The mental image will be of the 60's Temptations

Yes, when people of a certain age...We know the David Ruffin era because we grew up with
it. It was a time when I and mother and her closest friends and family enjoyed a lot of the same music. Still there are many ten years or so behind us that for them the stomping soul
funk stew that Dennis Edwards marinated in , was their coming up music and for them memories of that group on a variety of tv shows will provide the mental images. I still remember TCB and I had friends my age who really didn't get into them until things like
Cloud Nine dropped. All that said, your last sentence about the RRHF reminds me of one
of the reasons I stopped paying attention to them so long ago...o well....

[soulster]

It's completely difficult to understand why the Rock Hall inducts only certain people of a group while they may induct a group's entire lineups. It makes no sense. Look at the Four Seasons...they inducted the original four [[Frankie Valli, Tommy DeVito, Nick Massi, and Bob Gaudio) yet completely ignored Joe Long who joined the group when it was still turning out hits and highly successful. Another example would be the Supremes with Diana Ross, Mary Wilson, and Florence Ballard and the omission of Cindy Birdsong. As I was told, they want to induct the members who were apart of the group when it was at its most influential. Certainly the Temptations continued their influence and success well into the 70's, but the lineups of David Ruffin, Otis Williams, Paul Williams, Eddie Kendricks, Melvin Franklin, and Dennis Edwards were when the group was at its best thus probably why they were inducted not the others.

See, I don't think the groups you mentioned were influential in the 70s and 80s. By the 70s, their force on the industry, the audience, the culture, and other musicians, had already been exerted. So, I have no problem with the HOF's rules.

I understand that some people may feel upset by the omission of their favorite, or some fine musicians/singers who joined after a band/group's glory days, but that's the way it goes.

[edafan]

See, I don't think the groups you mentioned were influential in the 70s and 80s. By the 70s, their force on the industry, the audience, the culture, and other musicians, had already been exerted. So, I have no problem with the HOF's rules.

I understand that some people may feel upset by the omission of their favorite, or some fine musicians/singers who joined after a band/group's glory days, but that's the way it goes.

The Temptations were still very influential in the early seventies when
Richard Street joined them. He sang Paul's parts
from the wings.
He should be in the RRHOF

edafan

[soulster]

The Temptations were still very influential in the early seventies when
Richard Street joined them. He sang Paul's parts
from the wings.
He should be in the RRHOF

edafan

OK, who, or what did they influence after 1972?

[Roberta75]

The Temptations were still very influential in the early seventies when
Richard Street joined them. He sang Paul's parts
from the wings.
He should be in the RRHOF

edafan

I hope you get a response from the RRHOF ednasfan and god bless you for writing them and fighting for the other Temptations.

Fondly,

Roberta

[edafan]

OK, who, or what did they influence after 1972?

Rick James

Moonlighting TV and Bruce Willis

Rod Stewart The Motown Song

miniseries which was very well done
[[ Just as a sidebar my son born 1979 wore out the VHS tapes
of the Tempts and J5 miniseries. He would play them over and over )

just to name 4

and

I can't remember before the Temptations and the Supremes
such an enduring succession of tribute groups
yes I know the big band members tried to keep their image alive

We are getting away from my real issue.

Looking at his body of work

Richard Street belongs in the RRHOF

edafan

[soulster]

Rick James

Moonlighting TV and Bruce Willis

Rod Stewart The Motown Song

miniseries which was very well done
[[ Just as a sidebar my son born 1979 wore out the VHS tapes
of the Tempts and J5 miniseries. He would play them over and over )

just to name 4

Well, Richard Street was a member in 1972, but I don't think any influence on those later artist's individual songs is substantial enough. My opinion: For an artist to have been influential, they would have had to influence the sound of an artist, the sound of a whole genre of music, or inspire other artists in a massive way.

[edafan]

Well, Richard Street was a member in 1972, but I don't think any influence on those later artist's individual songs is substantial enough. My opinion: For an artist to have been influential, they would have had to influence the sound of an artist, the sound of a whole genre of music, or inspire other artists in a massive way.

I can agree to disagree with you.

My main point is

Richard Street belongs in the RRHOF for his Temptaions work

edafan

[Roberta75]

Rick James

Moonlighting TV and Bruce Willis

Rod Stewart The Motown Song

miniseries which was very well done
[[ Just as a sidebar my son born 1979 wore out the VHS tapes
of the Tempts and J5 miniseries. He would play them over and over )

just to name 4

and

I can't remember before the Temptations and the Supremes
such an enduring succession of tribute groups
yes I know the big band members tried to keep their image alive

We are getting away from my real issue.

Looking at his body of work

Richard Street belongs in the RRHOF

edafan

I Agee with you 199% ednasfan. Richard street should be in the RRHOF

Roberta

[edafan]

Here is a letter I am posting today.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation
1290 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10104 –


Dear Sirs,

I would like you folks to seriously consider adding

RICHARD STREET

to the Temptations who were inducted into

Your RRHOF.


He served in the group from 1971 until 1993.

He was the lead singer on songs in the 1970’s.

Please contact Otis Williams to see if he would go along with this great idea.

Mr. Street passed away in 2013.

He was the singer of My Girl at the Motown 25th celebration.


Thank you

and I signed my real name and address

edafan

[Roberta75]

Here is a letter I am posting today.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation
1290 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10104 –


Dear Sirs,

I would like you folks to seriously consider adding

RICHARD STREET

to the Temptations who were inducted into

Your RRHOF.


He served in the group from 1971 until 1993.

He was the lead singer on songs in the 1970’s.

Please contact Otis Williams to see if he would go along with this great idea.

Mr. Street passed away in 2013.

He was the singer of My Girl at the Motown 25th celebration.


Thank you

and I signed my real name and address

edafan

escellent letter Ednasfan. I like the mention of Otis Williams now that should get they attention.

Fondly,

Roberta

[skooldem1]

Who exactly decides which members from a group get inducted?

[bradsupremes]

Who exactly decides which members from a group get inducted?

The Rock Hall Induction Committee decides which members get inducted. Some people say the artists/groups get the say and though there is some influence by them ultimately in the end the Rock Hall gets the final say on who gets inducted. Also remember people who are on the committee now are not the same people who had major influence on the induction process in the early years [[ex. Jerry Wexler, Ahmet Ertegun, Phil Spector, etc.)

[edafan]

The Rock Hall Induction Committee decides which members get inducted. Some people say the artists/groups get the say and though there is some influence by them ultimately in the end the Rock Hall gets the final say on who gets inducted. Also remember people who are on the committee now are not the same people who had major influence on the induction process in the early years [[ex. Jerry Wexler, Ahmet Ertegun, Phil Spector, etc.)

Your facts stated here is exactly why I sent the RARHOF foundation the letter regarding Richard Street. I also sent a copy to http://www.otiswilliams.net
Omitting Richard Street was a wrong decision.
Maybe now, after his passing, the foundation can see their error


edafan

[Roberta75]

Your facts stated here is exactly why I sent the RARHOF foundation the letter regarding Richard Street. I also sent a copy to http://www.otiswilliams.net
Omitting Richard Street was a wrong decision.
Maybe now, after his passing, the foundation can see their error


edafan

Please let us know when you hear back from the RRHOF ednasfan.

Yours, with every good wish.

Roberta

[zebop]

RIchard should/could have been inducted since he was there in the early days and when they still were a potent, commercially viable act.

The Temptations did a horrible job of inducting its members, it's been one mess after another since 1993 or so.

[arr&bee]

since we lost 3 great singers
from the temptations recently.

I am going to write about omissions from their rrhof group

richard street 1971 - 1993 and he did sing lead on heavenly.
He should be in the temptations rrhof group.

--------------------------------------------------------------

a lesser case could be made for the following

allie ollie woodson
on and off from 1984 - 1997
and a lead singer on treat her like a lady

--------------------------------------------

damon harris
only
1971 - 1975
but he was a lead singer
during some of their creative years

------------------------------------------------------


and just on longevity

ron tyson 1983 - present


does anyone else feel the same?

Edafan

i am in total agreement with you especially with richard,hell he replaced the great paul williams,forget the rrhof we real temps fans know the legend.

[Soul Sister]

Richard definately, was there since the early years and back again. Sang on many songs.
LOVE "Shadow Of Your Love" & "Firefly", of course the "For Lovers Only" whole CD.
Along with the classic 5.

Ron Tyson, maybe for longevity. Ollie was good, but both he & Ron came late to the game.

Damon??? NO.............what did he ever record on?

S.S.
***

[edafan]

Richard definately, was there since the early years and back again. Sang on many songs.
LOVE "Shadow Of Your Love" & "Firefly", of course the "For Lovers Only" whole CD.
Along with the classic 5.

Ron Tyson, maybe for longevity. Ollie was good, but both he & Ron came late to the game.





Damon??? NO.............what did he ever record on?

S.S.
***

Damon was on Superstar, Papa Was a Rolling Stone, Masterpiece, Heavenly Glass House
to name a few

everything from 10/71 until 6/75

[Soul Sister]

Thanks edefan.


S.S.
***

[marv2]

This performance compilation video just seemed so appropriate for this thread, I just had to post it:

[edafan]

This performance compilation video just seemed so appropriate for this thread, I just had to post it:

yes

Notice that they had Richard Street and Damon Harris in the compilation

edafan

[marv2]

yes

Notice that they had Richard Street and Damon Harris in the compilation

edafan

Exactly! That is the point I was hoping to make. Richard was with them before they became the Temptations and was invited back years later.

[edafan]

Exactly! That is the point I was hoping to make. Richard was with them before they became the Temptations and was invited back years later.

Richard Street surely should be in the RRHOF
I wish Damon was longer than 4 years.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Ali Ollie Woodson and Ron Tyson are a stretch.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Here is another point. I believe that
the comings and goings of the group members
wasn't about the music as some people content.
It was about the Benjamins.

edafan

[dvus7]

Richard definately, was there since the early years and back again. Sang on many songs.
LOVE "Shadow Of Your Love" & "Firefly", of course the "For Lovers Only" whole CD.
Along with the classic 5.

Ron Tyson, maybe for longevity. Ollie was good, but both he & Ron came late to the game.

Damon??? NO.............what did he ever record on?

S.S.
***

This is EXACTLY the reason that they vote on the individual members of the group!!!! And it will stay AS IS!!!!

[edafan]

This is EXACTLY the reason that they vote on the individual members of the group!!!! And it will stay AS IS!!!!

Richard Street belongs in the RRHOF Temptations group.

I just sent a copy of my letter to the RRHOF
to T J L


edafan