See Also: Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, The Supremes & Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

Albums
The Temptations - Give Love At Christmas
The Temptations - Emperors Of Soul
The Temptations - The Ultimate Collection
The Temptations - Greatest Hits
The Temptations - Phoenix Rising
The Temptations - You've Got To Earn It
The Temptations - Still Here

Also Featured On...
Beg, Scream & Shout: The Big Ol' Box Of '60s Soul
Body + Soul Christmas
Dead Presidents Volume II
The Doo Wop Box II
Friday After Next
Rick James - Bustin' Out: The Very Best Of Rick James
Rick James - Anthology
Merry Christmas From Motown
Motown's Biggest Pop Hits
Motown's 40 Forever
Motown Meets The Beatles
Now And Then
A Soulful Christmas (1994)
Sounds Of The Season: The R&B Collection
Ultimate Soul Christmas
VH1 8-Track Flashback: Classic '70s Soul
Welcome To Tha Chuuch Volume 9: Run Tell Dat (David Ruffin)

Bio From AllMusic.Com
Thanks to their fine-tuned choreography — and even finer harmonies — the Temptations became the definitive male vocal group of the 1960s; one of Motown's most elastic acts, they tackled both lush pop and politically-charged funk with equal flair, and weathered a steady stream of changes in personnel and consumer tastes with rare dignity and grace. The Temptations' initial five-man line-up formed in Detroit in 1961 as a merger of two local vocal groups, the Primes and the Distants. Baritone Otis Williams, Elbridge (a.k.a. El, or Al) Bryant and bass vocalist Melvin Franklin were longtime veterans of the Detroit music scene when they joined together in the Distants, who in 1959 recorded the single "Come On" for the local Northern label. Around the same time, the Primes, a trio comprised of tenor Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams (no relation to Otis) and Kell Osborne, relocated to the Motor City from their native Alabama; they quickly found success locally, and their manager even put together a girl group counterpart dubbed the Primettes. (Later, three of the Primettes — Diana Ross, Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard — formed the Supremes).

In 1961, the Primes disbanded, but not before Otis Williams saw them perform live, where he was impressed both by Kendricks' vocal prowess and Paul Williams' choreography skills. Soon, Otis Williams, Paul Williams, Bryant, Franklin and Kendricks joined together as the Elgins; after a name change to the Temptations, they signed to the Motown subsidiary Miracle, where they released a handful of singles over the ensuing months. Only one, the 1962 effort "Dream Come True," achieved any commercial success, however, and in 1963, Bryant either resigned or was fired after physically attacking Paul Williams. The Tempts' fortunes changed dramatically in 1964 when they recruited tenor David Ruffin to replace Bryant; after entering the studio with writer/producer Smokey Robinson, they emerged with the pop smash "The Way You Do the Things You Do," the first in a series of 37 career Top Ten hits. With Robinson again at the helm, they returned in 1965 with their signature song, "My Girl," a Number One pop and R&B hit; other Top 20 hits that year included "It's Growing," "Since I Lost My Baby," "Don't Look Back," and "My Baby."

In 1966, the Tempts recorded another Robinson hit, "Get Ready," before forgoing his smooth popcraft for the harder-edged soul of producers Norman Whitfield and Brian Holland. After spotlighting Kendricks on the smash "Ain't Too Proud to Beg," the group allowed Ruffin to take control over a string of hits including "Beauty's Only Skin Deep" and "(I Know) I'm Losing You." Beginning around 1967, Whitfield assumed full production control, and their records became ever rougher and more muscular, as typified by the 1968 success "I Wish It Would Rain." After Ruffin failed to appear at a 1968 live performance, the other four Tempts fired him; he was replaced by ex-Contour Dennis Edwards, whose less polished voice adapted perfectly to the psychedelic-influenced soul period the group entered following the success of the single "Cloud Nine." As the times changed, so did the group, and as the 1960s drew to a close, the Temptations' music became overtly political; in the wake of "Cloud Nine" — its title a thinly-veiled drug allegory — came records like "Run Away Child, Running Wild," "Psychedelic Shack," and "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)."

After the chart-topping success of the gossamer ballad "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" in 1971, Kendricks exited for a solo career. Soon, Paul Williams left the group as well; long plagued by alcoholism and other personal demons, he was eventually discovered dead from a self-inflected gunshot on August 17, 1973 at the age of 34. In their stead the remaining trio recruited tenors Damon Harris and Richard Street; after the 1971 hit "Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are)," they returned in 1972 with the brilliant Number One single "Papa Was a Rolling Stone." While the Tempts hit the charts regularly throughout 1973 with "Masterpiece," "Let Your Hair Down," and "The Plastic Man," their success as a pop act gradually dwindled as the 1970s wore on. After Harris exited in 1975 (replaced by tenor Glenn Leonard), the group cut 1976's The Temptations Do the Temptations, their final album for Motown. With Louis Price taking over for Dennis Edwards, they signed to Atlantic, and attempted to reach the disco market with the LPs Bare Back and Hear to Tempt You.

After Edwards returned to the fold (resulting in Price's hasty exit), the Temptations re-entered the Motown stable, and scored a 1980 hit with"Power."In 1982, Ruffin and Kendricks returned for Reunion, which also included all five of the current Tempts; a tour followed, but problems with Motown, as well as personal differences, cut Ruffin and Kendricks' tenures short. In the years that followed, the Temptations continued touring and recording, although by the 1990s they were essentially an oldies act; only Otis Williams, who published his autobiography in 1988, remained from the original line-up. The intervening years were marked by tragedy: after touring in the late '80s with Eddie Kendricks and Dennis Edwards as a member of the "Tribute to the Temptations" package tour, David Ruffin died on June 1, 1991 after overdosing on cocaine; he was 50 years old. On October 5, 1992, Kendricks died at the age of 52 of lung cancer, and on February 23, 1995, 52-year-old Melvin Franklin passed away after suffering a brain seizure. In 1998, the Temptations returned with Phoenix Rising; that same year, their story was also the subject of a well-received NBC television miniseries. Earresistible followed in the spring of 2000. — Jason Ankeny

Dennis Edwards' Bio From AllMusic.Com
Once a Temptation, always a Temptation might be the motto for explosive vocalist Dennis Edwards, who's joined, left, and rejoined the group three times. Edwards was born in Birmingham, but his family moved to Detroit when he was seven. As a high school student, Edwards sang with The Crowns of Joy gospel group, then formed a soul-jazz band called Dennis Edwards & the Firebirds, inspired by organist Richard "Groove" Holmes. Motown bass legend James Jamerson heard Edwards singing one night and suggested he audition. They needed a lead singer quickly for The Contours, and this was Edwards' entry into the company. He was featured on "It's So Hard Being Alone." A song he recorded for Soulsville, "I Didn't Have to (But I Did)," got moderate reaction, but Edwards was soon enlisted to replace David Ruffin as lead singer of The Temptations in 1968. He spent the next nine years in that role, his gritty leads fueling such songs as "Cloud Nine," "I Can't Get Next to You," "Ball of Confusion," and "Psychedelic Shack," as well as the groundbreaking singles "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" and "Masterpiece." He left for the first time in 1977, returned in 1979, and left again in 1983. A year later he made one of the great duets of the decade, "Don't Look Any Further," with Siedah Garrett. It didn't make it to the top of the R&B charts, but there weren't many numbers that better combined sensuality, vocal assertiveness, excellent production, and a superb arrangement. Its melody was later incorporated by rappers Eric B. and Rakim. The follow-up, "(You're My) Aphrodisiac," was a Top 20 R&B single, but things then cooled considerably. "Coolin' Out" was Edwards' final hit, peaking at number 23, but he returned to The Temptations in 1987. Edwards briefly teamed with ex-Temptations David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks in the trio Ruffin/Kendricks/Edwards, but nothing was ever released. — Ron Wynn

David Ruffin's Bio From AllMusic.Com
One of the greatest lead singers the Motown stable ever had, David Ruffin became one of the artistic cornerstones of the Temptations after his lead vocal on "My Girl" (1965) paved the way for such majestic follow-ups as "Since I Lost My Baby" (1965), "Beauty is Only Skin Deep" (1966), "All I Need" (1967), and "I Wish it Would Rain" (1968). Unfortunately, ever-mounting internal pressures within the group, coupled with Ruffin's swelling ego, led to his dismissal from the group in late 1968. His solo career got off to a promising start with the powerful ballad "My Whole World Ended (The Moment You Left Me)," which cracked the pop and soul Top Ten in early 1969. His last hit to reach the Top Ten was the Van McCoy-produced dance ballad "Walk Away From Love," from 1976. After leaving Motown in 1977, Ruffin recorded for Warner Brothers and later, with RCA accompanied by Eddie Kendricks. Unfortunately, Ruffin's career, marred by years of substance abuse and artistic indifference, culminated in his death from a drug overdose in 1991. — John Lowe

Eddie Kendricks' Bio From AllMusic.Com
Known for both his years with the Temptations and his major solo hits of the 1970s, Eddie Kendricks was among the many soul legends who did his part to put Motown Records on the map. The expressive vocalist (who often sang in a falsetto) grew up in Birmingham, AL, but it was Motown's original home of Detroit that made him a star. Kendricks was still living in Alabama in the late '50s, when he formed the Primes with Kell Osborne and Temptation-to-be Paul Williams. After moving from Alabama to Detroit, the Primes caught the attention of a Motor City group known as the Distants (whose members included Tempations-to-be Otis Williams, Elbridge Bryant and Melvin Franklin). The Primes broke up after being together only a few years, and the Temptations (originally known as the Elgins) were formed when, in 1961, members of the Primes and the Distants came together. With a lineup that included former Primes Kendricks and Paul Williams and former Distants Otis Williams (who was unrelated to Paul), Melvin Franklin and Elbridge Bryant, the Temptations signed with the little known Motown subsidiary Miracle. The Temptations (who went through many personnel changes over the years) didn't become successful right away, but by the mid-1960s, they had become huge thanks to such smashes as "The Way You Do The Things You Do" and "My Girl."

The Temptations enjoyed one mega-hit after another in the mid-to-late 1960s, and they were still tremendously popular when Kendricks left to pursue a solo a career in 1971 (the year he sang lead on their hit "Just My Imagination"). Many Temptations fans questioned the wisdom of Kendricks leaving such a successful group, but Kendricks proved to be quite viable as a solo act thanks to early 1970s singles like "Keep On Truckin'" (a #1 R&B hit) and "Boogie Down" (which went to #2 on the soul charts). Other noteworthy solo hits followed, including "Shoeshine Boy," "Get The Cream Off The Top" and "Happy" in 1975 and "He's A Friend" in 1976. Most of his solo albums came out on Motown, although Kendricks recorded Something More for Arista in 1979 and Love Keys for Atlantic in 1981. By that time, Kendricks' popularity had decreased considerably. The singer wasn't heard from that much in the 1980s, but he did participate in the Artists United Against Apartheid's Sun City project in 1985 and recorded with another former Temptation, David Ruffin, as a duo for RCA in 1988.

Sadly, the 1990s would see the premature deaths of no less than three former members of the Temptations. First, Ruffin died of a cocaine overdose in 1991, followed by the deaths of Kendricks in 1992 and Melvin Franklin (from a brain seizure) in 1995. (Tragedy was nothing new to Temptations members, for Paul Williams had committed suicide back in 1973). Kendricks was only 51 when he died of lung cancer in his native Birmingham on October 5, 1992. — Alex Henderson

Louis Price' Bio From AllMusic.Com
Chicago-born vocalist Louis Price has made some above average soul singles that haven't gotten sufficient distribution and exposure to yield him any hits. Price started singing after he moved to Los Angeles and was actually discovered by legendary Motown founder Berry Gordy. Price eventually appeared on the Motown 30th Anniversary television show and later signed with the company as a solo artist. His 1991 debut, Louis Price, had some impressively performed ballads, but fizzled. — Ron Wynn

Ron Tyson's Bio From AllMusic.Com
Ronald Tyson Presson is the Temptations' fourth replacement for Eddie Kendricks. (Damon Harris, Ricky Owens, and Glenn Leonard preceded him.) He's also has the most tenure, Tyson, a gifted songwriter, joined the Tempts in 1983, which makes 17 years and running, Kendricks sang 10 years with the Tempts. Born February 8, 1948 in Monroe, NC, Tyson grew up in Philadelphia, PA and woodshedded with various groups before forming the Ethics from singers he befriended at talent shows. Tyson, Andrew "Bike" Collins, Joe Freeman, and Carl "Nugie" Enlow formed a quartet with a range similar to the Temptations, who they emulated. In 1967, Thaddeus Wales started producing the Ethics, the first single appeared on Wales, four on Vent, and a final single on Golden Fleece Records in 1974. Tyson had a hand in writing many of the tunes, In seven years, the Ethics didn't wax any major hits but cut some nice ones like "Sad, Sad Story," and "Farewell."

Toward the Ethics waning years, Ron's songwriting talents started to bloom. Collaborating with Philly stalwarts like Norman Harris, Allan Felder, and Bruce Gray in various combinations. Tyson's songs appear as credited to Tyron Presson, Ronald Presson, and Ron Tyson depending on the affiliation. He became a key ingredient in the Eddie Kendricks' projects. While not comfy with the idea, Berry Gordy relented and allowed Kendricks to be produced outside the Motown family. Under the auspices of Norman Harris Kendricks cut two underappreciated albums: He's A Friend, and Goin' Up In Smoke. The former contains one of Tyson's best, the romantic "You're A Part Of Me," is a bonafide red-light special that got lost; it features the endearing lyric line: If Adam Gave His Rib To Eve, Then Why Can't You Give Your Love To Meeeee - Sweet. None of Tyson's songs appeared on Goin' Up In Smoke but he contributed backing vocals, and merited a Very Special Thanks To, on the album cover along with Allan Felder. When the Temptations left Motown for Atlantic Records, Tyson was a key participant in the Tempts' two Atlantic albums, and co-wrote their most successful single "In A Lifetime."

Tyson co-wrote "I Could Have Dance All Night," and the O'Jayish "I Won't Leave You Honey Never," for Archie Bell & the Drells. He did the floating "Stringin' Me Along," for Blue Magic, and contributed two beauties on the Dells, the lilting "I Betcha Never Been Love Like This Before," and "Private Property." He played a big part in the Four Tops' Philly album by co-writing and producing five of the LPs eight songs with Norman Harris, including "H.E.L.P.," the oozy, sorrowful "Seclusion," and "Just In Time." First Choice, Double Exposure, the Three Degrees, Loleatta Holloway, the Salsoul Orchestra, and more have all used Tyson' songs.

Still wanting to be part of a group after the Ethics, Ron immediately formed Love Committee with Joe Freeman, Norman Frazier, and Larry Richardson. Thaddeus Wales claimed ownership to the name, hence the change. Their first single dropped on Golden Fleece, the same year the label released a 45 on them as the Ethics. A second release, a remake of Eddie Kendricks' "Darling Come Back Home," fell on TSOP Records in 1975. Five more singles were issued on Ariola American, and Gold Mine Records with "Law And Order" scoring as a minor hit. Their final two singles were products of T-Electric Records and featured a new member, Cleveland, OH native, Michael Bell replacing Richardson. Despite a slew of singles and a few albums Love Committee disbanded in the early '80s.

Tyson via his songwriting/producing activities, and appearing on shows with various groups, was no stranger to Motown or the Temptations. When Otis Williams started having problems with Glenn Leonard ("I'm On Fire," "Silent Night"), due to an alleged alcohol problem, Tyson, blessed with a shimmering falsetto, got the nod. His first appearance came on Back To The Basic, with leads on "Sail Away," and "Make Me Believe In Love." Tyson's also lead "Truly For You," "Lucky," "More Love, Your Love," "Time After Time," "What A Difference A Day Makes," "Tempt Me," "On The Road," "Proven And True," and "Corner Of My Heart."

Unlike Damon Harris, the first Eddie Kendricks' replacement, Tyson's not a clone. Rickey Owens(Vibrations), never recorded with the Tempts. Glenn Leonard, like Tyson was not a Kendricks' clone either, but matched Eddie's intensity and fire. Tyson's more laid back—not as much as Damon was—but improves with time like fine wine. Check his leads out on the For Lovers Only CD - Outstanding! Coming from Philly, Ron was probably insecure about his falsetto. And why not? Philly has produced some of the best falsetto singers in history: William Hart, Russell Thompkins, Ted Mills, Darryl Hall, Ronnie Walker, Eddie Holman, and a host of others including members of the Ebonys, the Philly Devotions, and the Futures. But that was then, today, to quote another writer "Ron is the epitome of quiet cool." True dat! Watch him as he sings "Get Ready," he flows with melody and doesn't attack the lyrics like Kendricks, but then, he's not Kendricks he's Ron Tyson, a multi- talented artist who knew early that music was going to be his life's work. The only knock to his long career with the Tempts is that his writing has slowed, still he has nearly 200 songs to his credit. David Tyson, Ron's brother, sings with the Manhattans. — Andrew Hamilton

Raymond Davis' Bio From AllMusic.Com
Raymond Davis co-founded the Parliaments, the doo wop group that would later evolve to become the psychedelic funk juggernaut Parliament-Funkadelic, lending his distinctive bass vocals to R&B classics like "Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucka)," "One Nation Under a Groove," and "Flashlight." Born March 29, 1940, in Sumter, SC, Davis was raised in Plainfield, NJ, teaming with high school classmates George Clinton, Clarence "Fuzzy" Haskins, Calvin Simon, and Grady Thomas to form the Parliaments. The group began recording in 1956 but did not trouble the charts until 1967, when "(I Wanna) Testify" ascended to number three R&B and number 20 pop. Inspired by Sly & the Family Stone and the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Clinton soon began steering the Parliaments in the direction of psychedelic rock, in 1970 dropping the plural to create the horn-powered Parliament as well as its guitar-oriented sister project, Funkadelic. P-Funk would emerge among the most original groups of the decade, its groundbreaking fusion of rock, funk, and gospel proving profoundly influential on multiple generations of hip-hop artists. When Clinton dissolved Parliament in 1980, Davis largely dropped from view, rarely participating in subsequent P-Funk reunion projects. In the mid-'90s, he assumed bass vocal duties for the Temptations following the death of Melvin Franklin, and in 1998 began touring with original Parliaments Haskins and Thomas. Davis died July 5, 2005, from respiratory complications at the age of 65. - Jason Ankeny

Official Sites: The Temptations, Paul Williams, Ali Woodson & The Emperors of Soul, Glenn Leonard & Joe Herndon