A Tempting Story
The Temptations formed in 1961 and comprised of five original members: Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, Eldridge Bryant, Eddie Kendricks, and Paul Williams. The Temptations display a unique group blend of harmonizing vocals through five distinct roles: main lead, secondary lead, first tenor/falsetto, bass, and background second tenor/baritone. The Temptations genre of music spans from R&B and soul to doo-wop and rock and roll. Their lyrics feature relevant topics for every era including love, justice, and politics. Not only do The Temptations carry illustrious vocals, they are also known for their captivating and choreographed dance routines along with matching wardrobes. The Temptations legacy is said to be unmatched earning three Grammy Awards, Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Group Award in 1973, and The Lifetime Acheivement Award in 2013. They also trophied thirteen gold albums and six platinum albums. The Temptations also produced nineteen top 20 albums, while earning more than twenty Top 10 singles, four of which topped the list at #1. The Temptations capped their legacy in 1989 with an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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Top Hits
1. Just My Imagination (1971) 2. I Can't Get Next to You (1969) 3. Papa Was a Rollin' Stone (1972) 4. Ball of Confusion (1970) 5. My Girl (1965) |
"Just like the Beatles, we were a group. Not a lead singer with background harmonies, but a group. We could all sing lead and we all sang harmonies. Since then, I have stayed true to my formula. "
-Otis Williams, Original Founder
The Temptations Then & Now
Otis Williams, The Temptations founder, is the only member left from the original group. The Temptations have changed with the times over the past five decades with twelve members coming and going, but the group has stayed true to their original and famous R&B roots. The Temptations are still touring today.
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