One of the most legendary singing groups of all time. Became famous in the 1960's as part of the Motown
Record machine. Signed by Barry Gordy, Otis Williams,
Paul Williams(no relation to Otis) Eddie Kendricks, Melvin Franklin and Elbridge "Al" Bryant were the original Temptations. Struggling to get a hit off their first records, it wasn't until Bryant was kicked out of the group and solo artist David
Ruffin joined the group that The Temptations became known by the songs like My Girl and Ain't Too Proud To Beg. Ruffin left/was kicked out in the late 60's and replaced by Dennis Edwards. The Temptations still were recording hits, and went on to record Grammy-winning records. Eddie Kendricks was not satisfied with the "psychedelic funk" the group was shifting towards, as he felt it wasn't keeping true to what made the Temps who they were. The last song Kendricks recorded with the group was the classic Just My Imagination. The last great song that the group recorded period was
Papa was a Rolling Stone, which was one of Edwards' last songs with the group, and featured Otis Williams and Melvin Franklin along with Richard Street( a singer from the early days pre-Ruffin, P. Williams and Kendricks who replaced Paul Williams) and new falsetto
Damon Harris replacing Eddie Kendricks. After Papa, the group recorded a few good songs, did a reunion tour, suffered hard deaths, and have not lived up to the fame of their 60's hayday.
Ain't Too Proud To beg,
Papa Was a Rolling Stone, My Girl,
Psychedelic Shack, I'm Losing You, Just My Imagination,
The Temptations