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The Temptations

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

The Temptations are an American vocal group from Detroit, formed in 1961 from two local groups: Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin and Elbridge Bryant of the Distants and Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams of the Primes. They began as the Elgins and signed in 1961 with Berry Gordy of Motown, who gave them the name Temptations. In the first years they had little success, so that they were called the Hitless Temptations. That changed when Smokey Robinson began writing for them and David Ruffin replaced Bryant in 1964. With Ruffin on lead, My Girl, written by Robinson, became their first number one in the United States in 1965.

Music and breakthrough

In 1966 Norman Whitfield took over production, after the success of Ain't Too Proud to Beg. He steered the group away from Robinson's ballads towards a harder, horn-heavy soul in the vein of James Brown. Hits from that period were Beauty Is Only Skin Deep and I Wish It Would Rain. After Ruffin left in 1968, Dennis Edwards came in. With him Whitfield worked on the psychedelic soul of Cloud Nine, I Can't Get Next to You and Ball of Confusion. Cloud Nine earned the first Grammy for a Motown act in 1969. Just My Imagination and Papa Was a Rollin' Stone followed later.

Influence

The group stood out for its five-part harmony, meticulous choreography and smart clothes. Between line-ups the lead singers often changed, and the music moved with the times, from doo-wop and ballad to funk and socially conscious soul. In 1989 the Temptations were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Otis Williams is the last original singer and keeps the group alive.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to My Girl and notice the bass line that opens it, and the way the five voices alternate. Can you hear how Ruffin's lead sounds warm and rough at the same time?

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

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See also

Categories: ArtistsMotown