![]() ![]() OTIS: “Well, Ron Tyson has been in the group for 25/26 years - he sings first tenor and lead. PETE: Perhaps we can start by discussing the current Temptations line-up for your upcoming UK ‘Greatest Hits’ tour? A unique achievement… Which becomes one of many fascinating topics raised, as Pete Lewis speaks in-depth to Otis Williams - The Temptations’ only surviving original member - just weeks prior to the quintet’s forthcoming British tour. Thus, while The Temptations will be forever remembered for their recognisable, intricate choreography, charismatic vocalists and flashy, tailored suits (not to mention the pivotal role they played in the mainstream breakthrough of the ‘Motown Sound’), what sets them apart today from all of their Sixties and Seventies contemporaries is that they have retained their status as a successfully-charting modern-day recording act for over 42 years. Meanwhile, the 2008 release of their ‘Classic Soul Hits’ set (featuring 12 new recordings of classic soul songs, plus six of The Temptations own greatest hits) impressively returned the group to the UK Pop Top Ten for the first time in 16 years. However, they nevertheless have pretty much to this day retained a consistent presence on the US R&B charts amidst increasingly-frequent membership changes with high points including their punchy 1984 transatlantic hit single ‘Treat Her Like Lady’ the Platinum-selling 1998 LP ‘Phoenix Rising’ plus their 2000, Grammy-winning album ‘Ear-Resistible’. Nevertheless, with the musically-groundbreaking Whitfield/Temptations partnership coming to an end less-than-amicably in 1974 (amidst the group allegedly complaining of the Motown super-producer’s “arrogant†and “overbearing†attitude), much of the quintet’s ongoing pop and international appeal quickly faded. Indeed, with Dennis Edwards having replaced a sacked David Ruffin as lead baritone in 1968, highlights of this period included the Grammy-winning US Number One singles ‘Cloud Nine’ (1968) and ‘Papa Was Rollin’ Stone’ (1972) in addition to significant chart-topping albums like 1969’s ‘Puzzle People’, 1970’s ‘Psychedelic Shack’ and 1972’s ‘All Directions’. It was nevertheless the fivesome’s edgier ‘psychedelic soul’ era (1968 to 1974) which saw them finally attaining bona fide success and credibility on the international mainstream - via a string of socio-political, epic Norman Whitfield productions which (influenced by funk band Sly & The Family Stone) combined a harder-edged, funkier take on the ‘Motown Sound’ with a then-fashionable psychedelic rock edge. During which time - working first with writer/producer Smokey Robinson and later Norman Whitfield - the quintet helped define the ‘Motown Sound’, while establishing themselves as America’s definitive male vocal group of the decade via such classics as 1965’s timeless chart-topping ballad ‘My Girl’ (which remains their signature tune to this day) and 1966’s brassier ‘Ain’t Too Proud To Beg’. Which - spanning 1964 to 1968 - featured bass-singer Melvin Franklin iconic lead tenor/falsetto Eddie Kendricks second tenor Otis Williams baritone/choreographer Paul Williams and charismatic lead baritone David Ruffin. ![]() With their current line-up comprising sole surviving original member Otis Williams alongside newer recruits Terry Weeks, Ron Tyson, Joe Herndon and Bruce Williamson, over the years The Temptations have seen no less than 22 (!) different male vocalists pass through their ranks the most famous line-up occurring during their famed ‘Classic Five’ era. Meanwhile, this March sees them return to the UK for a 10-date ‘Greatest Hits’ tour alongside fellow ex-Motown legends The Four Tops. Originally formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1960 as ‘The Elgins’, The Temptations - having scored four US Pop Number one singles, 14 US R&B Number one singles, and won three Grammy awards - are officially the most successful soul male vocal group ever.
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