Why So Many Temptations???

**marv2** · 02-23-2015, 10:26 PM

Originally Posted by arr&bee

Hey mav my man good thread on the temptin temps and thier many members,i'm gonna say again what i said some years ago on another post about the temps and this is to the otis haters,i'm one of his biggest fans...had otis not had the-vision,toughness,buisiness savvy,we would not even be having this discussion did he make mistakes?of course as we all have during the course of our lives making choices that affect those we are responsible for,and otis is in charge of the temps and for 55yrs keeping them around when many have faded,imagine what would've happened if he had let david have his way[david ruffin and the temptations]or if he had listened to eddie[go on strike no shows no recording]no he had to stay cool so my hat is off the great[yes i said it]the great mr.otis williams-member emiritus of the temptations...oh and before anyone says something smartass like..well he's the only one still living,i wish that..eddie-david-paul-al-richard-melvin were still here.

Thank you JAI and thank you for saying what you said!

**rod_rick** · 02-24-2015, 08:27 PM

After Otis was Richard Street with the Tempts the longest? Why did Richard leave the group? I never knew the reason for his exit.

**marv2** · 02-24-2015, 08:29 PM

Originally Posted by rod_rick

After Otis was Richard Street with the Tempts the longest? Why did Richard leave the group? I never knew the reason for his exit.

rod_rick, read post #48 in this thread and let me know if that answers it for you.

**midnightman** · 03-01-2015, 08:48 PM

Originally Posted by rod_rick

After Otis was Richard Street with the Tempts the longest? Why did Richard leave the group? I never knew the reason for his exit.

Otis and Melvin were the longest serving Tempts. Ron Tyson replaced Richard as the third longest-serving Tempt [[32 years this year; Richard was with the group for 21 years until 1992). Reason he left was he and Otis had words. Richard had been sick and apparently Otis didn't get the word so either he was fired or Richard and Otis argued and Richard quit. But I think Otis fired him.

**midnightman** · 03-02-2015, 07:00 PM

^ Yep, I'm just 30.

**marv2** · 03-02-2015, 07:31 PM

Originally Posted by midnightman

^ Yep, I'm just 30.

I have a neck tie older than you! LOL!!! But we cool.............

**arr&bee** · 03-02-2015, 07:48 PM

Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa....marv you're a hoot.

**midnightman** · 03-02-2015, 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by marv2

I have a neck tie older than you! LOL!!! But we cool.............

LMAO!

Cool.

**edafan** · 03-02-2015, 11:51 PM

This thread has a lot of great facts and photos of the Temptations. And it is sad that the entertainment industry now does not value great singing. The basic fact is that this group gave us a lot of great songs. One way overlooked gem is Magic. Melvin and Ali Ollie. Wow
edafan

**marv2** · 03-03-2015, 12:12 AM

Originally Posted by edafan

This thread has a lot of great facts and photos of the Temptations. And it is sad that the entertainment industry now does not value great singing. The basic fact is that this group gave us a lot of great songs. One way overlooked gem is Magic. Melvin and Ali Ollie. Wow
edafan

I agree and then there was this one:

**marv2** · 03-03-2015, 02:56 AM

Originally Posted by edafan

This thread has a lot of great facts and photos of the Temptations. And it is sad that the entertainment industry now does not value great singing. The basic fact is that this group gave us a lot of great songs. One way overlooked gem is Magic. Melvin and Ali Ollie. Wow
edafan

It is beyond sad. It is a clear example of the decline of our civilization, quality of life, etc .etc. It is ALL about money now! You may recall that when groups like the Temptations were signed to Motown, it took them several years to get a national hit. Berry Gordy stuck with them and groups like the Supremes until they scored. Today, if an artist is lucky enough to get the support of a record label, they have to score and score huge immediately or they are dropped!

**marv2** · 03-03-2015, 02:04 AM

I surprised they did this one and more surprised that I liked it. Heard it on the radio the first time driving around a rainy Connecticut in 1995. This was when they were in their 4 man configuration during that period:

**midnightman** · 03-04-2015, 08:52 PM

Originally Posted by marv2

I surprised they did this one and more surprised that I liked it. Heard it on the radio the first time driving around a rainy Connecticut in 1995. This was when they were in their 4 man configuration during that period:

If I recall, this was when Ray Davis had left the group because he had been too ill to do work. Ray eventually decided to be let go from his contract because he was doing too much work [[I think this guy was still working with the original members of Funkadelic as well as Roger and Zapp so the Tempts workload was too much for him). They got Harry shortly after filming this video, I think.

**marv2** · 03-03-2015, 03:04 AM

For me, and I repeat for ME, this was the quintessential David Ruffin lead with the Temptations. I have many favorites with him on lead, but this one just epitomizes his great talents :

**marv2** · 03-03-2015, 03:12 AM

It has been brought to my attention that it was not previously mentioned here that Joe Herndon of Washington D.C. replaced Harry McGilberry in the Fall of 2003 as the Temptations Bass singer. [[Sorry Joe!). He is pictured above in the grouping with G.C. Cameron and with the current Temptations line up!

**arr&bee** · 03-04-2015, 06:21 PM

Another underrated temps gem is[truly for you]ron does a good job on this smooth temps song.

**marv2** · 03-04-2015, 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by arr&bee

Another underrated temps gem is[truly for you]ron does a good job on this smooth temps song.

You are sooooooooooo very right. I remember buying that album, along with the Four Tops latest album, "Back where I Belong" at the same time in the Fall of '83 and was surprised at just how good they both were!

**arr&bee** · 03-04-2015, 06:52 PM

Hey marv,do you have a copy of[house party-1975]take a listen to it,yes i know that otis hates it but i don't some of these are folks songs[johnny porter-ways of a grown up man]but in the hands of the temps they make em soulful not a big seller i know but not terrible either.

**marv2** · 03-04-2015, 06:59 PM

Originally Posted by arr&bee

Hey marv,do you have a copy of[house party-1975]take a listen to it,yes i know that otis hates it but i don't some of these are folks songs[johnny porter-ways of a grown up man]but in the hands of the temps they make em soulful not a big seller i know but not terrible either.

I have every original Temptations album known to mankind up to 1998. I have the "House Party" album from '75. I got to give it a listen after not hearing it for more than 30 years. You know how bad the Temptations were. They could take a folk song and make it hip. Look what they did with that Rodgers and Hammerstein song posted above............"Some Enchanted Evening". Very few artists can do something like that!

**marv2** · 03-04-2015, 07:01 PM

I always thought the one they really hated was "Wings of Love" from 1976! LOL! Why? because it was essentially a Dennis Edwards solo project with session singers backing him on most of the tracks! LOL!

**marv2** · 03-04-2015, 07:05 PM

Thinking back now JAI, wasn't "Keep Holdin' On" the only single lifted from "House Party"?

**marv2** · 03-04-2015, 07:09 PM

Now here's a memory. This is from what we called the "Revitalization of Temptations" in 1975. The fancy moves courtesy of Lon Fontaine......................."Glasshouse"!

**marv2** · 03-04-2015, 07:18 PM

One of my all time favorites [[for sentimental reasons............hehehehehehehehe) It wasn't a huge hit for the Tempts and by this time in 1978 they were solidly considered part of the entertainment establishment [[think Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, the Letterman,etc you get the picture.LOL!)

They were soooo smooth with the addition of Louis Price that they appeared to be on automatic. Extremely professional performances and expert vocals. Gone were the rough edge of Ruffin and or Edwards. "Everyready Love" from the Winter of 1977-78.

**arr&bee** · 03-04-2015, 07:30 PM

Funny that you should mention louis price,great singer but i was glad when dennis came back,but you gotta give louis his due he did a good job on[let's live in peace,think for yourself[from-hear to tempt you].

**marv2** · 03-04-2015, 07:42 PM

Originally Posted by arr&bee

Funny that you should mention louis price,great singer but i was glad when dennis came back,but you gotta give louis his due he did a good job on[let's live in peace,think for yourself[from-hear to tempt you].

I was mixed on that whole situation. I was very happy that Louis was in the group [[he sounded a lot like Jerry Butler to me.....). I don't know if it's true, but I had heard that he was the son of Lloyd Price? Anyway, they were missing their trademark gruff, rough lead sound that the we all came to know provided by David and Dennis. Richard tried to fill in that dept., but that is really not his forte. His is "Hey Girl", "Heavenly" which were both very dynamic songs by the Tempts.

**arr&bee** · 03-04-2015, 07:45 PM

Oh no question,the greatest hands down,i have a giant posterboard in my basement entitled[meet the temptations]with photos from the days of[al bryant]to ali woodson.

**marv2** · 03-04-2015, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by arr&bee

Oh no question,the greatest hands down,i have a giant posterboard in my basement entitled[meet the temptations]with photos from the days of[al bryant]to ali woodson.

Damn! I bet it is too big to scan huh? What about photographing it. When I have time [[which is nearly impossible in NYC). I want to create something like that.

**arr&bee** · 03-04-2015, 08:06 PM

I've always wondered how[teddy pendergrass]would've done in the temps,he certainly had the voice..one of those[what if]questions we'll never get an answer to.

**marv2** · 03-04-2015, 08:17 PM

Originally Posted by arr&bee

I've always wondered how[teddy pendergrass]would've done in the temps,he certainly had the voice..one of those[what if]questions we'll never get an answer to.

It would have been awful!................It would have been awfully great to have Teddy fronting the Temptations ,but you KNOW that would have only lasted a minute. Once the ladies started with the throwing of panties at him on stage.......................he would be out! LOL!

**arr&bee** · 03-04-2015, 07:54 PM

One amusing statement from otis,in the book he says that david or jimmy ruffin could have sung in the temps,but some years later he said that jimmy had two left feet so that would've eliminated him.

**marv2** · 03-04-2015, 08:00 PM

Originally Posted by arr&bee

One amusing statement from otis,in the book he says that david or jimmy ruffin could have sung in the temps,but some years later he said that jimmy had two left feet so that would've eliminated him.

That plus Jimmy was even worse in having someone telling him what to do, what to sing, yada, yada, yada LOL! He did not have the group mentality like someone else I know.

**arr&bee** · 03-04-2015, 08:03 PM

All you need is a poster board and some photos,i was lucky enough to have worked in a place that had some pics laying around.

**marv2** · 03-04-2015, 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by arr&bee

All you need is a poster board and some photos,i was lucky enough to have worked in a place that had some pics laying around.

I am going to do one myself!

**arr&bee** · 03-04-2015, 08:22 PM

Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa,hell i forgot all about that.

**marv2** · 03-04-2015, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by arr&bee

Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa,hell i forgot all about that.

You know Otis would not put up with any shit like that even if it weren't Teddy's fault! LOL!

**marv2** · 03-04-2015, 08:46 PM

Remember when BoyzIIMen first hit? Everyone was trying to make them out to be the new Temptations or putting them on the same level of potential. where are they now?

**arr&bee** · 03-04-2015, 08:29 PM

Marv,did you ever hear the story that blue told about the guy that sent an audition tape to the group when they were looking for a new member,well as we all know you gotta be at least six feet tall to be a temp,wellte guy'svice was good but when blue met him at the airport the dude was about five two,blue cussed him from one end to the other...hhahaha.

**marv2** · 03-04-2015, 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by arr&bee

Marv,did you ever hear the story that blue told about the guy that sent an audition tape to the group when they were looking for a new member,well as we all know you gotta be at least six feet tall to be a temp,wellte guy'svice was good but when blue met him at the airport the dude was about five two,blue cussed him from one end to the other...hhahaha.

Yes I do remember that! LOL! Did you know they originally rejected Ali because his hair was dyed orange when he went to the audition? LOL

**arr&bee** · 03-04-2015, 08:48 PM

The most boring group ever.

**midnightman** · 03-04-2015, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by arr&bee

The most boring group ever.

Who, Boyz II Men? They really are boring. Great vocals but they were the One Direction of their time: most of the time, they just stood there singing their songs lol they still do the same thing haha

The Temptations had moves on your ass. Don't know why anyone would compare the Temptin' Temptations to Boyz II Men. Ew...lol and I speak as a fan of some of BIIM's stuff! But they were no Temptations.

**marv2** · 03-04-2015, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by arr&bee

The most boring group ever.

They [[BoyzIIMen) had great harmonies, but no identity! 50-55 years since their first hits and many people can name the individual Four Tops and the Classic 5 Temptations.

**arr&bee** · 03-04-2015, 08:53 PM

Otis doesn't take many leads,but he had some nice ones such as the old school doowop sounding[i ain't got nothing-1972]otis killed it.

**midnightman** · 03-04-2015, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by arr&bee

Otis doesn't take many leads,but he had some nice ones such as the old school doowop sounding[i ain't got nothing-1972]otis killed it.

You probably don't have this album but I love his lead on the song "Got to Get On the Road" from their 2000 album, "Ear-Resistible". I loved that album though on some songs they were trying too hard [["It's Alright to Be Wrong" was originally going to go to another Motown act but I think Otis or whoever insisted they get it lol).

"Then I'm goin' to DETRAWT [[Detroit)
West Grand Boulevard, 'cause you know that's where it started, y'all!"

Love that line.

**marv2** · 03-04-2015, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by midnightman

You probably don't have this album but I love his lead on the song "Got to Get On the Road" from their 2000 album, "Ear-Resistible". I loved that album though on some songs they were trying too hard [["It's Alright to Be Wrong" was originally going to go to another Motown act but I think Otis or whoever insisted they get it lol).

"Then I'm goin' to DETRAWT [[Detroit)
West Grand Boulevard, 'cause you know that's where it started, y'all!"

Love that line.

Never heard that cut before. Thank you!

**arr&bee** · 03-04-2015, 09:00 PM

Thanks midnightman,i don't have it but i'll be on the lookout for it..temptations forever.

**midnightman** · 03-04-2015, 09:14 PM

No problem, marv and arr.

**arr&bee** · 03-04-2015, 09:21 PM

Hey marv and my other temptaholics,here's a little thing about the classic temps that maybe seems minor but i noticed it years ago and have wondered,from[1965]onward paul and eddie stopped conking[wearing the process]now the style was still popular then,was it a concious thing or did they just decide to stop conking?

**marv2** · 03-04-2015, 09:40 PM

Originally Posted by arr&bee

Hey marv and my other temptaholics,here's a little thing about the classic temps that maybe seems minor but i noticed it years ago and have wondered,from[1965]onward paul and eddie stopped conking[wearing the process]now the style was still popular then,was it a concious thing or did they just decide to stop conking?

They stopped because Sam Cooke stopped. I mean that. That's why they stopped.

I should go a bit further. Sam Cooke made a conscious decision to stop processing his hair as an African American man. Had nothing to do with fashion trends or what have you. Malcolm X also spoke out about it as a prominent black man during that era. James Brown and them went on for several more years and stopped in the late 60's.

**midnightman** · 03-05-2015, 01:56 PM

Originally Posted by marv2

They stopped because Sam Cooke stopped. I mean that. That's why they stopped.

I should go a bit further. Sam Cooke made a conscious decision to stop processing his hair as an African American man. Had nothing to do with fashion trends or what have you. Malcolm X also spoke out about it as a prominent black man during that era. James Brown and them went on for several more years and stopped in the late 60's.

Marvin stopped conking his hair around that same time [[1964-65).