Former Temps Temporarily Stopped

[tempfan]

OLDIES REVUE PUT ON ICE TEMPORARILY
MIKE WEATHERFORD
Jan. 17, 2008
Las Vegas Review-Journal

A preliminary injunction issued in Los Angeles last week put a temporary stop to a Sahara oldies revue that includes former members of The Temptations.

Producer Bill Caron said he hopes to have the show -- which also features The Platters and Cornell Gunter's Coasters -- back up and running by Monday. He was working to determine whether the Temptations tribute would be replaced or carry on with different billing.

The group had been billed as "Legendary Lead Singers of The Temptations" before U.S. District Court Judge Gary Feess ruled the Temptations name infringed upon a trademark held by Otis Williams, the last surviving member of the group's most famous "classic five" lineup.

The Sahara group included, usually not at the same time, Glenn Leonard, Damon Harris, G.C. Cameron and Barrington Henderson. The latter was involved in previous litigation with Williams after his 2003 dismissal from the group.

Caron said the group has used the billing for four years. "It wasn't until it came to Las Vegas that it came under the microscope," he said.

"We try to stop every infringement, but it's difficult to track down or sue these groups when they play single engagements all around the country," Williams' attorney, Richard Trugman, stated in a press statement. "But when they start doing nightly shows in a major hotel, and putting up billboards on the Las Vegas Strip, it's pretty hard for them to hide."

When the injunction was issued late in the day Friday, the producer -- who is not one of the three defendants -- said he had no time to do anything but cancel shows. Carrying on with the other two groups wouldn't have been fair to audiences, he said.

The injunction doesn't stop the group from performing, but only from using "The Temptations" in its billing. "Going back and getting a (new) name everybody likes is certainly a possibility," Caron said. But conveying who they are to customers would be a challenge "if you can't say who they are."

The Temptations tribute replaced a Drifters spinoff after similar legal squabbles. Finding yet a third alternative may be easier said than done. ...

[ramzy]

Its a damned shame that these guys who voices are certainly more recognizable than Otis cant convey to the public who they are. yet Otis has no problem having the songs they sang continue to render him royalties. He is a sorry heartless scoundrel parading around with flunkies calling themselves Tempts excluding Joe hes cool. From what Ive seen Dennis has no problem paying homage to The Temptations and seems to have a great respect for them as an institution. Seems the former Tempts have a much deeper respect than phony O

[AnnaK]

I don't understand this. It's not as if they called themselves "The Temptations." They're using the name only to describe their former membership in the group. This is simply wrong.

[BASSSINGER]

ramzy said:

Its a damned shame that these guys who voices are certainly more recognizable than Otis cant convey to the public who they are. yet Otis has no problem having the songs they sang continue to render him royalties. He is a sorry heartless scoundrel parading around with flunkies calling themselves Tempts excluding Joe hes cool. From what Ive seen Dennis has no problem paying homage to The Temptations and seems to have a great respect for them as an institution. Seems the former Tempts have a much deeper respect than phony O

As unfortunate as it may seem the simple fact of the matter is that there has to be some type of resolve to copyrighted name infringements. Let's take Dennis for instance. Dennis earned the right to use the name Temptation's Revue because he is not only a member of the HOF but was the first to bring about multiple grammy nominations for The Temptations as a group. A feat that with all due respect, David nor Eddie was able to obtain. Taken under further consideration that Glenn's contribution as a Tempt was truly extraordinary, unfortunately it was just that, A CONTRIBUTION. Bo was good but not great. If I am not mistaken it was Theo's voice that made Phoenix Rising the success it came to be. As for G.C. that is another story. It really has to stop. The Temptations is one of the greatest names in music history. The words" Legendary Lead Singers of the Temptations" is the problem. None of the above mentioned other than Dennis' voice could nor will they ever be considered as legendary lead singers. The operative word here is "contributors".

[maria]

basssinger said:

ramzy said:

Dennis earned the right to use the name Temptation's Revue because he is not only a member of the HOF but was the first to bring about multiple Grammy nominations for The Temptations as a group. A feat that with all due respect, David nor Eddie was able to obtain..

I do understand your point Bassinger But with all due respect keep in mind Dennis and the remaining classic 5 were the first to be nominated and to win the first Grammy including Eddie Kendricks. keep in mind the era before Dennis was asked to join the Temptations. IMO "My Girl" would have won a Grammy without hesitation. It was the overall performance of the group that was noticed and caused that nomination, not just one particular person's voice. (Just had to show my love for Eddie and David)

[AnnaK]

maria said:

basssinger said:

Dennis earned the right to use the name Temptation's Revue because he is not only a member of the HOF but was the first to bring about multiple Grammy nominations for The Temptations as a group. A feat that with all due respect, David nor Eddie was able to obtain..

I do understand your point Bassinger But with all due respect keep in mind Dennis and the remaining classic 5 were the first to be nominated and to win the first Grammy including Eddie Kendricks. keep in mind the era before Dennis was asked to join the Temptations. IMO "My Girl" would have won a Grammy without hesitating. It was the overall performance of the group that was noticed and caused that nomination, not just one particular person's voice. (Just had to show my love for Eddie and David)

I thought the Grammy went to the Temptations as they were before Dennis joined. Dennis was included because of his exceptional contribution to the group's success. Not the other way around.

[ramzy]

basssinger said:

ramzy said:

Its a damned shame that these guys who voices are certainly more recognizable than Otis cant convey to the public who they are. yet Otis has no problem having the songs they sang continue to render him royalties. He is a sorry heartless scoundrel parading around with flunkies calling themselves Tempts excluding Joe hes cool. From what Ive seen Dennis has no problem paying homage to The Temptations and seems to have a great respect for them as an institution. Seems the former Tempts have a much deeper respect than phony O

As unfortunate as it may seem the simple fact of the matter is that there has to be some type of resolve to copyrighted name infringements. Let's take Dennis for instance. Dennis earned the right to use the name Temptation's Revue because he is not only a member of the HOF but was the first to bring about multiple grammy nominations for The Temptations as a group. A feat that with all due respect, David nor Eddie was able to obtain. Taken under further consideration that Glenn's contribution as a Tempt was truly extraordinary, unfortunately it was just that, A CONTRIBUTION. Bo was good but not great. If I am not mistaken it was Theo's voice that made Phoenix Rising the success it came to be. As for G.C. that is another story. It really has to stop. The Temptations is one of the greatest names in music history. The words" Legendary Lead Singers of the Temptations" is the problem. None of the above mentioned other than Dennis' voice could nor will they ever be considered as legendary lead singers. The operative word here is "contributors".

[ramzy]

Glenn if nobody else has to be considered more than just a contibutor if for no reason other than Silent Night. A strong case could be made for Ali Woodson as well. But obviously it has to be based on something other than singing contiributions because that alone would leave Otis out in the cold.

[BASSSINGER]

maria said:

basssinger said:

Dennis earned the right to use the name Temptation's Revue because he is not only a member of the HOF but was the first to bring about multiple Grammy nominations for The Temptations as a group. A feat that with all due respect, David nor Eddie was able to obtain..

I do understand your point Bassinger But with all due respect keep in mind Dennis and the remaining classic 5 were the first to be nominated and to win the first Grammy including Eddie Kendricks. keep in mind the era before Dennis was asked to join the Temptations. IMO "My Girl" would have won a Grammy without hesitating. It was the overall performance of the group that was noticed and caused that nomination, not just one particular person's voice. (Just had to show my love for Eddie and David)

The Grammys are coming upon 50 years and as I agree with you that the Tempts received their awards as a unit, however, it was not until Dennis Edwards came aboard that the group received not only nominations but winning the actual awards. My heart will always be with the Classic 5, David, Eddie, Paul, Melvin, and Otis.

[BASSSINGER]

raggedy said:

maria said:

I do understand your point Bassinger But with all due respect keep in mind Dennis and the remaining classic 5 were the first to be nominated and to win the first Grammy including Eddie Kendricks. keep in mind the era before Dennis was asked to join the Temptations. IMO "My Girl" would have won a Grammy without hesitating. It was the overall performance of the group that was noticed and caused that nomination, not just one particular person's voice. (Just had to show my love for Eddie and David)

I thought the Grammy went to the Temptations as they were before Dennis joined. Dennis was included because of his exceptional contribution to the group's success. Not the other way around.

1969 was the year for Cloud Nine. If I am not mistaken it was the vocal styles of Dennis Edwards, Melvin Franklin, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams and Otis Williams. (Post David Ruffins era)

[BASSSINGER]

ramzy said:

Glenn if nobody else has to be considered more than just a contibutor if for no reason other than Silent Night. A strong case could be made for Ali Woodson as well. But obviously it has to be based on something other than singing contiributions because that alone would leave Otis out in the cold.

While I understand how you may feel, once again it's the use of the name, "LEGENDARY LEAD SINGERS OF THE TEMPTATIONS". Otis has never professed to be a lead singer. In fact he himself has said on numerous occasions that he was a background vocalist. You may not like the guy but you have to appreciate his vocal abilities in the background. I challenge you to sit down and listen. Otis has excellent vocal range. As I may or may not agree with you, I will say that Ali Woodson had a very dramatic impact on the group's sound. His vocal range was second to none and his voice could be considered as one of those legendary voices that kept the Temptations out in the forefront as to what they were noted for as well as the choreography. Let's stay focus and realize the Ali is with The Review and not with Glenn, Bo, and G. C.. As for Glenn I cannot and will not take anything away from the fact that he is a natural 1st tenor and as for his beautiful rendition of Silent Night it was great song styling, but once again it is the name. "Legendary Lead Singers of The Temptations". None of which could legitimately claim legendary status.

[AnnaK]

basssinger said:

ramzy said:

Glenn if nobody else has to be considered more than just a contibutor if for no reason other than Silent Night. A strong case could be made for Ali Woodson as well. But obviously it has to be based on something other than singing contiributions because that alone would leave Otis out in the cold.

While I understand how you may feel, once again it's the use of the name, "LEGENDARY LEAD SINGERS OF THE TEMPTATIONS". Otis has never professed to be a lead singer. In fact he himself has said on numerous occasions that he was a background vocalist. You may not like the guy but you have to appreciate his vocal abilities in the background. I challenge you to sit down and listen. Otis has excellent vocal range. As I may or may not agree with you, I will say that Ali Woodson had a very dramatic impact on the group's sound. His vocal range was second to none and his voice could be considered as one of those legendary voices that kept the Temptations out in the forefront as to what they were noted for as well as the choreography. Let's stay focus and realize the Ali is with The Review and not with Glenn, Bo, and G. C.. As for Glenn I cannot and will not take anything away from the fact that he is a natural 1st tenor and as for his beautiful rendition of Silent Night it was great song styling, but once again it is the name. "Legendary Lead Singers of The Temptations". None of which could legitimately claim legendary status.

Well, in my opinion, Glenn and Ali are legendary based on their unique voices and the Tempts songs that will always be tied to their voices -- just as Dennis is. To me and a lot of others they are legendary indeed. And no less so than David or Eddie, for example.

[ramzy]

basssinger said:

ramzy said:

Glenn if nobody else has to be considered more than just a contibutor if for no reason other than Silent Night. A strong case could be made for Ali Woodson as well. But obviously it has to be based on something other than singing contiributions because that alone would leave Otis out in the cold.

While I understand how you may feel, once again it's the use of the name, "LEGENDARY LEAD SINGERS OF THE TEMPTATIONS". Otis has never professed to be a lead singer. In fact he himself has said on numerous occasions that he was a background vocalist. You may not like the guy but you have to appreciate his vocal abilities in the background. I challenge you to sit down and listen. Otis has excellent vocal range. As I may or may not agree with you, I will say that Ali Woodson had a very dramatic impact on the group's sound. His vocal range was second to none and his voice could be considered as one of those legendary voices that kept the Temptations out in the forefront as to what they were noted for as well as the choreography. Let's stay focus and realize the Ali is with The Review and not with Glenn, Bo, and G. C.. As for Glenn I cannot and will not take anything away from the fact that he is a natural 1st tenor and as for his beautiful rendition of Silent Night it was great song styling, but once again it is the name. "Legendary Lead Singers of The Temptations". None of which could legitimately claim legendary status.

I hear you but again in the case of Glenn I have to disagree with you. Fact is there is no bigger selling album by The Tempts than their Christmas album. And every true blood Tempt fan knows its because of Silent Night. And yes I know Ali is not with the group in question but I talking whats morally right. The man was the voice of Temptations for more than a decade. Otis disses these brothers like they never went through any thing together. But I for one feel personally that they have every right to tell people who they are and what they have done. I agree as far as Bo GC and some of the others are concerned but Ali Glenn and even Richard are legendary.

[tempfan]

A quick update. The show at the Sahara in Las Vegas is back up and running however the Former Temptations have been replaced by the Marvelettes. Show producers have said this will continue and the Former Temptations group will only return to the show if something can be settled regarding the billing of their name.

[AnnaK]

Oh god! This is too sad. Keeping the guys from making a living is certainly not alright.
I hope they'll find a way to get rid of this messy issue ... And I hope all the members of the licensed Tempts know by now with whom they are dealing.