The Temptations Presentation Facts ● American Vocal group that released Music with Motown Records during the 1960s and 1970s ● Known for their choreography, distinct harmonies, and dress styles ● Over the course of their career, they released four Billboard Hot 100 number one singles and fourteen number- one singles ● They also earned three Grammy Awards ● Years Active: 1960- Present ● Created 43 studio albums ● Had a total of 21 past members Current Members: Otis William Terry Weeks ● ● Baritone Singer He was placed in a ● Founder and LAST surviving William/Moton side original member of the project, For Lovers Only ● Temptations He was a fill-in for the ● Has the right to the Temptations for Ali-Ollie Temptation name Woodson ● ● Years Active: 1958-Present He permanently joined the group in 1997 Ron Tyson ● Tenor Singer Willie Green ● Was the fourth replacement for Eddie Kendrick in 1971 ● Joined in 2016 ● Sang iconic songs in Temptations 57th album ● Bass Singer “EAR-Resistible” Well Known Past Members Eldridge “Al” Bryant Eddie Kendricks ● One of the Founding ● One of the founding Members Members ● Lead singer from 1960- 1971 ● Tenor ● Sang the songs “The Way You Do the Things You Do”, David Ruffin “Get Ready”, and “Just My Imagination (Running Away ● Replaced Bryant in 1964 with Me)” ● Lead Vocalist for “My Girl”, “Ain’t too Proud to Beg” and Paul Williams “I Wish It Would Rain” ● Active from 1955- 1973 ● Replaced Ruffin in 1968 ● One of the founding members Dennis Edwards ● Sang in top hits of “Could Nine” ● Baritone Singer and and “Ball of Confusion (That’s Choreographer What’s the World is Today”) Meet The Temptations ● Released April 13, 1964 ● Most songs feature Paul William as main Lead ● Originally issues only in monaural sound ● Singles from this album ○ “Check Yourself” ○ “Dream Come True“ ○ “Paradise“ ○ “I Want a Love I Can See” ○ “Farewell My Love” ”The Way You Do the Things You Do” https://youtu.be/iG38kyraN7Q The Temptations Sing Smokey ● Released March 22, 1965 ● Most songs were written and produced by Smokey Robinson as wells some members from the Miracles ● Singles from this album ○ “It’s Growing“ “My Girl” https://youtu.be/C_CSjcm-z1w The Temptin’ Temptations ● Released November 1, 1965 ● Seven out of the twelve tracks were previously released singles like “Girl (Why You Wanna Make Me Blue)” and “I’ll Be in Trouble“ ● Singles from this album ○ “Since I Lost My Baby”/ “You’ve Got to Earn It” ○ “Don’t Look Back” “My Baby” https://youtu.be/3MaLNH5q5Lg The Temptin’ Temptations ● Released June 15,1966 ● Transitioning from having Smokey Robinson as main producer to Norman Whitfield ● Two #1 R&B singles included in this album and an original version of “Too Busy Thinking About My Baby” ● Singles from this album ○ “Get Ready” ○ “Fading Away” “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” https://youtu.be/3s0TkufXA38 The Temptations with a Lot o’ Soul ● Released July 17, 1967 ● Most successful Temptations album with the “Classic 5”era- David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Paul WIlliams, Melvin Franklin, and Otis William ● Singles from this album ○ “(I Know) I’m Losing You” ○ “All I Need” ○ “(Loneliness Made Me Realize) It’s You That I Need” “You’re My Everything” https://youtu.be/BKwYyqFJ2RQ The Temptations in a Mellow Mood ● Released November 27, 1967 ● Composed of primarily pop standards due to Berry Gordy wanting to reach broader audience ● Theme of the songs had same standards as “Ol’ Man River“ and “For Once in My Life” ● The Band members were worried about the existing fan base not liking it, but both responded to the album well “For Once in My Life” https://youtu.be/t9wQX8lIrd8 The Temptations Wish It Would Rain ● Released April 29, 1968 ● Final release from the “Classic 5” era ● Last solo album with classic “Motown Sound” ● Last feature production from Smokey Robinson ● Singles ○ “I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)” ○ “Please Return Your Love to Me” “I Wish It Would Rain” https://youtu.be/BrjJeP1GGxY Cloud Nine ● Released February 17, 1969 ● First regular LP to entire Dennis Edwards ● Marks the beginning of Temptations four- year elevens into psychedelia recording ● Album went to number four on Billboards Pop Album Chard ● Group received their first Grammy Award in 1969 “Cloud Nine” https://youtu.be/SkLq8qKpk6g Puzzle People ● Released September 23, 1969 ● Focusing on psychedelic soul ● Dennis Edwards, Eddie Kendricks, and Paul Williams dominated most of the leads on the album ● Released on the same day as “Together” duet album covers with Diana Ross and the Supremes “I Can’t Get Next to You” https://youtu.be/HyK6nMO8XII Psychedelic Shack ● Released March 6, 1970 ● Represents the artist submerging into psychedelia ● This album had hard rock guitars, synthesizers sound effects, multi tracked drums, and stereo-shifting vocals ● Singles ○ “Hum Along and Dance” “Psychedelic Shack” https://youtu.be/s_A3zQw-yEY Citations https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Temptations https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Temptations_discography https://spinditty.com/artists-bands/Bios-of-The-Classic-Five-Members-of-The-Temptations .