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Post by Jonel on May 26, 2002 21:15:17 GMT -5
[ftp]http://www.blaqueimage.com/temptations.html[/ftp]
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Post by Ivory Fair on May 27, 2002 18:01:25 GMT -5
Jonel, I'm gonna go ahead and c/p that article here so we will still have it when the web site you linked to takes it down, but I encourage everyone to go to the link above because someone obviously did a lot of hard work on it............
The Definition of Soul- The most successful group in black music history was formed in 1961 in Detroit, Michigan, USA, by former members of two local R&B outfits. Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams both sang with the Primes ; Melvin Franklin Eldridge Bryant and Otis Williams came from the Distants. Initially known as the Elgins, the quintet were renamed the Temptations by Berry Gordy when he signed them to Motown in 1961. After issuing three singles on the Motown subsidiary Miracle Records, one of them under the pseudonym of the Pirates, the group moved to the Gordy label. 'Dream Come Home' provided their first brief taste of chart status in 1962, although it was only when they were teamed with writer, producer and performer Smokey Robinson that the Temptations achieved consistent success. The group's classic line-up was established in 1963, when Eldridge Bryant was replaced by David Ruffin. His gruff baritone provided the perfect counterpoint to Kendricks' wispy tenor and falsetto, a contrast that Smokey Robinson exploited to the full.
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Post by Ivory Fair on May 27, 2002 18:02:14 GMT -5
Over the next two years, he fashioned a series of hits in both ballad and dance styles, carefully arranging complex vocal harmonies that hinted at the group's doo-wop heritage. 'The Way You Do The Things You Do' was the Temptations' first major hit, a stunningly simple rhythm number featuring a typically cunning series of lyrical images. ' My Girl' in 1965, the group's first US number 1, demonstrated Robinson's graceful command of the ballad idiom, and brought Ruffin's vocals to the fore for the first time. This track, featured in the movie 'My Girl', was reissued in 1992 and was once again a hit. "It's Growing", "Since I Lost My Baby", "My Baby" and "Get Ready" continued the run of success into 1966, establishing the Temptations as the leaders of the Motown sound.
"It's Growing" brought a fresh layer of subtlety into Robinson's lyric writing, while "Get Ready" embodied all the excitement of the Motown rhythm factory, blending an irresistible melody with a stunning vocal arrangement. Norman Whitfield succeeded Robinson as the Temptations' producer in 1966 - a role he continued to occupy for almost a decade. He introduced a new rawness into their sound, spotlighting David Ruffin as an impassioned lead vocalist, and creating a series of R&B records that rivalled the output of Stax and Atlantic for toughness and power. 'Ain't Too Proud To Beg' introduced the Whitfield approach, and while the Top 3 hit ' Beauty Is Only Skin Deep' represented a throwback to the Robinson era, 'I'm Losing You' and 'You're My Everything' confirmed the new direction. The peak of Whitfield's initial phase with the group was 'I Wish It Would Rain', a dramatic ballad that the producer heightened with delicate use of sound effects.
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Post by Ivory Fair on May 27, 2002 18:02:45 GMT -5
The record was another major hit, and gave the Temptations their sixth R&B #1 in three years. It also marked the end of an era, as David Ruffin first requested individual credit before the group's name, and when this was refused, elected to leave for a solo career. He was replaced by ex- Contour Dennis Edwards, whose strident vocals fitted perfectly into the Temptations' harmonic blend. Whitfield chose this moment to inaugurate a new production style. Conscious of the psychedelic shift in the rock mainstream, and the inventive soul music being created by Sly And The Family Stone, he joined forces with lyricist Barrett Strong to pull Motown brutally into the modern world. The result was 'Cloud Nine', a record that reflected the increasing use of illegal drugs among young people, and shocked some listeners with its lyrical ambiguity. Whitfield created the music to match, breaking down the traditional barriers between lead and backing singers and giving each of the Temptations a recognizable role in the group. Over the next four years, Whitfield and the Temptations pioneered the concept of psychedelic soul, stretching the Motown formula to the limit, introducing a new vein of social and political comment, and utilizing many of rock's experimental production techniques to hammer home the message. 'Runaway Child, Running Wild' examined the problems of teenage rebellion; 'I Can't Get Next To You' reflected the fragmentation of personal relationships (and topped the US charts with the group's second number 1 hit); and 'Ball Of Confusion' bemoaned the disintegrating fabric of American society. These lyrical tracts were set to harsh, uncompromising rhythm tracks, seeped in wah-wah guitar and soaked in layers of harmony and counterpoint.
The Temptations were greeted as representatives of the counter-culture, a trend that climaxed when they recorded Whitfield's outspoken protest against the Vietnam War, 'Stop The War Now'. The new direction alarmed Eddie Kendricks, who felt more at home on the series of collaborations with the Supremes that the group also taped in the late 60s. He left for a solo career in 1971, after recording another US number 1, the evocative ballad 'Just My Imagination'. He was replaced first by Richard Owens, then later in 1971 by Damon Harris. This line-up recorded the 1972 number 1, 'Papa Was A Rolling Stone', a production tour de force which remains one of Motown's finest achievements, belatedly winning the label its first Grammy award. After that, everything was an anti-climax.
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Post by Ivory Fair on May 27, 2002 18:03:21 GMT -5
Paul Williams left the group in 1971, to be replaced by another former Distant member, Richard Street; Williams shot himself in 1973, after years of depression and drug abuse. Whitfield's partnership with Strong was broken the same year, and although he continued to rework the 'Papa Was A Rolling Stone' formula, the commercial and artistic returns were smaller. The Temptations still had hits, and 'Masterpiece', 'Let Your Hair Down' (both 1973) and 'Happy People' (1975) all topped the soul charts, but they were no longer a leading force in black music. Whitfield left Motown in 1975; at the same time, Glenn Leonard replaced Damon Harris in the group. After struggling on for another year, the Temptations moved to Atlantic Records for two albums, which saw Louis Price taking the place of Dennis Edwards. When the Atlantic partnership brought no change of fortunes, the group returned to Motown, and to Dennis Edwards. 'Power' in 1980 restored them to the charts, before Rick James engineered a brief reunion with David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks for a tour, an album, and a hit single, 'Standing On The Top'. Ruffin and Kendricks then left to form a duo, Ron Tyson replaced Glenn Leonard, and Ali-Ollie Woodson took over the role of lead vocalist from Edwards. Woodson brought with him a song called 'Treat Her Like A Lady', which became their biggest UK hit in a decade. Subsequent releases confirmed the quality of the current line-up, although without a strong guiding hand it seems that they are unlikely to rival the achievements of the late 60s and early 70s line-ups, the culmination of Motown's classic era.
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Post by Ivory Fair on May 27, 2002 18:03:45 GMT -5
Original Members:
Name:
Eddie Kendricks
Birth Date:
December 17, 1939
Birth Place:
Union Springs, Alabama
Name:
Paul Williams
Birth Date:
July 2, 1939
Passed:
August 17, 1973
Birth Place:
Birmingham, Alabama
Name:
Melvin Franklin
Birth Name:
David English
Birth Date:
October 12, 1942
Passed:
February 23, 1995
Birth Place:
Montgomery, Alabama
Name:
Otis Williams
Birth Date:
October 30, 1941
Birth Place:
Texarkana, Texas
Name:
David Ruffin
Birth Date:
January 18, 1941
Birth Place:
Meridian, Mississippi
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Post by Ivory Fair on May 27, 2002 18:04:22 GMT -5
Discography:
1964 Meet The Temptati[Remaster]
1965 The TemptatiSing Smokey
1965 The Temptin'Temptati(Remastered)
1966 Gettin' Ready [Remaster]
1966 Greatest Hits Vol.1 [Remaster]
1967 In A Mellow Mood
1967 TemptatiLive! [Remaster]
1967 With A Lot O' Soul
1968 Live At The Copa
1968 Wish It Would Rain
1969 Cloud Nine
1970 Christmas Card
1970 GreatestHits Vol. 2 [Remaster]
1970 PsychedeShack
1970 Puzzle People
1971 Sky's The Limit
1972 All Directions
1972 Solid Rock
1973 Anthology The Best Of The Temptations
1973 Masterpiece
1975 A Song For You
1980 Give Love At Christmas
1981 All The Million Sellers
1982 Reunion
1984 Truly For You
1986 25th Anniversary
1986 To Be Continued...
1987 Together Again
1991 Milestone
1992 Hoops Of Fire [Single]
1993 Hum Along And Dance: More Of the Best (1963-1974)
1993 Motown Legends: Cloud 9 - I Wish It Would Rain
1994 Emperors Of Soul [Box]
1994 Error Of Our Ways [Single]
1994 Motown Legends:Just My Imagine That - Beauty Is...
1994 Motown Legends: My Girl - (I Know) I'm Losing You
1995 For Lovers Only
1995 Some Enchanted Evening [Single]
1995 Some Enchanted Evening [Single]
1996 One By One
1996 Time After Time [Single]
1997 The UltimateCollection
1998 Phoenix Rising
1999 20th Century Masters:The Millennium Vol. 1
1999 Lost & Found: You've Got...(1962-1968)
2000 20th Century Masters:The Millennium Vol. 2
2000 Earresis*[5/16]
A Song For You/Masterpiece
Christmas Card/Give Love At Christmas
Cloud Nine/Puzzle People
Compact Command Performances
Get Ready [single]
Great Songs & PerformaThat InspiredThe...
Live At The Copa/WitA Lot Of Soul
Meet The TemptatiSing Smokey
My Girl [Single]
OriginalMotown Classics
PsychedeShack/AlDirections
The Jones' [single]
The TemptatiTops
Wish It Would Rain/In A Mellow Mood
~end~
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Post by sukkafu on May 27, 2002 21:26:34 GMT -5
laydeez, once again you come up with refills when the well runs dry! outstanding article on the tempts and good discography and vitals.
i am proud to be a loyal subject of queen ivory and lady jonel! ;D
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Post by Ivory Fair on May 27, 2002 23:00:52 GMT -5
Jonel isn't JUST a "lady" she's a "Supreme Goddess" as well!  |
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Post by sukkafu on May 28, 2002 1:11:39 GMT -5
forgive me your highness for my error. jonel is quite a supreme-i would put her up there with diana ross and mary wilson and cindy birdsong and florence ballard! 8) jonel is quite a researcher and you are quite a technical expert queen ivory!  do you remember the part in the titans movie where gary bertier in the huddle says what kind of power do you have and julius campbell says i've got soul power and then he says i want a victory? then they sing and dance and play to all the motown and tempts songs- NOW THAT'S THE DEFINITION OF SOUL! 8) 8) |
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Post by Ivory Fair on May 28, 2002 10:22:25 GMT -5
A Supreme huh? I think she's a Marvel-ette! I haven't seen "Remember the Titans" |
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Post by Jonel on May 28, 2002 12:21:35 GMT -5
Ivory, girl, you gotta rent the "Remember the Titans" DVD. It's a great movie. Denzel is easy on the eyes, the soundtrack is good and the story is true. Some great features on the DVD
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Post by sukkafu on May 28, 2002 13:25:16 GMT -5
her royal highness jonel is absolutely right on ,queen ivory! you must rent the titans movie tonight! it is a flashback to the 70's racial integration and a true story of the high school in alexandria va. and how they won the state football championship as an integrated school. the kids talk about the tempts, sing the tempts'song
ain't too proud to beg, sing ain't no mountain high enough, play football to "superstar", and the soundtrack is great. it's a pg movie with no bad stuff in it.denzel is awesome in it! 8)
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