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The Temptations were and still are a hugely influential vocal group, who had an enormous following during the height of their success in the 60s and 70s. They are best recognised for their distinct choreography, harmonies and flashy wardrobe. The band has been cited as being enormously influential to the evolution of R&B and soul music in the modern music industry. Although only one original member remains in the line-up today, Otis Williams, the group continue to perform.
Consisting of five male vocalists and dancers, the group formed in 1960 in Detroit, Michigan under the name ‘The Elgins’. The original founding members were originally members of two rival Detroit vocal groups: Otis Williams, Elbridge "Al" Bryant, and Melvin Franklin were members of the group ‘Otis Williams & the Distants’. Meanwhile members Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams were part of the group ‘The Primes’.
In 1964, Bryant was replaced by David Ruffin, who was the lead vocalist on a number of the group's biggest hits. Over the decades the group have spawned a large number of hits but some notable tracks include ‘My Girl’, ‘Ain’t Too Proud to Beg’ and ‘Get Ready’. The band’s line up continued to change dramatically as various members left the band and were consequently replaced. The current line-up is made up of original member Otis Williams, Ron Tyson, Joe Herndon, Terry Weeks and Bruce Williamson. Their music can be described as a combination of genres, primarily consisting of R&B, soul, funk, doo-wop and rock and roll.
The band are regarded as legends today: three of their most popular songs, ‘My Girl’, ‘Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)’, and ‘Papa Was a Rollin' Stone’, were ranked as being amongst the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. The Temptations were also ranked at number 68 on the prestigious Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 100 Greatest Artists of all time.
Think of Motown Records and you pretty much immediately think of The Temptations; they’re synonymous with one of the most successful labels in pop history, and came to embody the sound of that era just about as well as anybody. Over the course of a career that’s seen them pick up three Grammys - including a lifetime achievement award - and score countless top twenty singles in the U.S., they’ve taken on iconic status; the image of the ‘classic 5’ lineup of the group, with their sharp tuxedos and slicked-back hair, has become the stuff of music legend. Like a slew of their Motown labelmates, too - The Four Tops spring to mind - they’re still going strong today, at over fifty years in the business; in 2010, they even released an Autotuned new record, Still Here, unsurprisingly to serious derision. Earlier this year, they toured UK arenas with The Four Tops, proving that their commercial viability is in no doubt whatsoever; in fact, there’s another record in the pipeline for late this year, which will have a more contemporary feel than their classic work and feature the likes of Miguel and Ne-Yo - expect further tour dates to follow its release, as The Temptations refuse to hang up their bow ties.
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