ABOUT
The Temptations are a highly acclaimed and veteran R&B group from Detroit that became famous in the 1960s as one of Motown's top acts. Formed in 1961, The Temptations, who were first known as the Elgins (not to be confused with the Elgins of "Darling Baby" fame), were made up of members of two Detroit area doo wop groups known as the Primes and the Distants. The original group lineup, which consisted of Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin (October 12, 1942 - February 23, 1995), Elbridge "Al" Bryant (September 28, 1939 - October 26, 1975), Eddie Kendricks (December 17, 1939 - October 5, 1992), and Paul Williams (July 2, 1939 - August 17, 1973), signed on with Motown in early 1961 as the Elgins. This five-man group shortly thereafter became known as The Temptations. The name change was prompted by Berry Gordy's discovery that that there was already a singing group called the Elgins.
In 1962, The Temptations debuted nationally with "Dream Come True," which became a Top 40 hit on the R&B charts. In 1964, David Ruffin replaced Bryant, and the group's fame really took off in early 1965 with the smash hit, "My Girl." This hit was followed by a very long string of hits on both the Pop/Rock and R&B charts that also included "I Can't Get To You" (1969), "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)" (1971), "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" (1972), and "The Motown Song" (with Rod Stewart) (1991).
The Temptations, who still tour and perform to this day, have a long history with numerous personnel changes. Over the years, four of the five original members have been replaced (as well as most of their successors), and the most notable newer members through the 1970s have included lead singers David Ruffin and Dennis Edwards (both later solo artists), Richard Street, Damon Harris, and Glenn Leonard. The only original member remaining is Otis Williams.
The Temptations were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.
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VIDEO CLIP
The Temptations perform "Get Ready" on The Ed Sullivan Show (January 31, 1971).
Available on iTunes and on the following DVDs: Rock n' Roll Classics - 7 DVD Set; (more)
SONGS
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The Temptations
- Ain't Too Proud To Beg 1966
(This song later also became a hit for the Rolling Stones (1974) and Rick Astley (1989).) - All I Need 1967
- Ball Of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today) 1970
- Beauty Is Only Skin Deep 1966
- Cloud Nine 1968
(This song later also became a hit for Mongo Santamaria (1969, instrumental version).) - Don't Let The Joneses Get You Down 1969
- Don't Look Back 1965
- Get Ready 1966
(This song later also became a hit for Rare Earth (1970).) - Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue) 1964
- The Girl's Alright With Me 1964
- Glasshouse 1975
- Happy People 1974
- Heavenly 1974
- Hey Girl (I Like Your Style) 1973
- I Can't Get Next To You 1969
(This song topped both the R&B and Pop/Rock charts and later also became a hit for Al Green (1971). "I Can't Get Next To You" starts off with the sounds of an audience clapping and cheering.) - I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You) 1968
- I Truly, Truly Believe 1968
- I Wish It Would Rain 1968
(This song also became a hit for Gladys Knight & the Pips (1968).) - I'll Be In Trouble 1964
- (I Know) I'm Losing You 1966
(This song later also became a hit for Rare Earth (1970), Rod Stewart & Faces (1971), and Uptown (1987).) - It's Growing 1965
- It's Summer 1971
- (Loneliness Made Me Realize) It's You That I Need 1967
- Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me) 1971
(This song, which topped both the R&B and Pop/Rock charts, is included in Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. "Just My Imagination" is considered by many to be one of the Temptations' signature songs.) - Let Your Hair Down 1973
- Masterpiece 1973
- Mother Nature 1972
- My Baby 1965
- My Girl 1965
(This song, considered by many to be the main signature song for the Temptations, topped both the R&B and Pop/Rock charts and later also became a hit for Bobby Vee (1968, as a medley), Daryl Hall et al. (1985, as a medley), and Suave (1988). "My Girl" is included in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.) - Papa Was A Rollin' Stone 1972
(This song topped the charts and later also became a hit for the Undisputed Truth (1972), Wolf (1983), and George Michael (1993, as a medley). "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" is listed in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. In 1973, it won Grammys for Best R&B Song, Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus, and Best R&B Instrumental Performance.) - Paradise 1962
- The Plastic Man 1973
- Please Return Your Love To Me 1968
- Psychedelic Shack 1970
- Run Away Child, Running Wild 1969
- Shakey Ground 1975
(This song later also became a hit for Phoebe Snow (1977).) - Since I Lost My Baby 1965
- Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are) 1971
- Take A Look Around 1972
- Ungena Za Ulimwengu (Unite The World) 1970
- The Way You Do The Things You Do 1964
(This song later also became a hit for Rita Coolidge (1978), Hall & Oates et al. (1986, as a medley), and UB40 (1990).) - You're My Everything 1967
- You've Got My Soul On Fire 1974
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