An American pop icon of the early 1960's, The Temptations blasted their musical score through radio waves across the nations to millions of Americans during their time. The Detroit group that got their start as The Elgins in 1960, the all male group consisting of five male vocalist and dancers were the emerging pop group on the rhythm and blues scene.

The Temptations

I deal with temptation by yielding to it.

An American pop icon of the early 1960's, The Temptations blasted their musical score through radio waves across the nations to millions of Americans during their time. The Detroit group that got their start as The Elgins in 1960, the all male group consisting of five male vocalist and dancers were the emerging pop group on the rhythm and blues scene.

The Detroit Dancers

Detroit, Michigan has been world renowned as the heart of the American auto industry for decades and has also managed to crank out a few celebrities as well. The Temptations would become one of the nation's emerging pop culture artists with their dazzling outfits, smooth rhythm vocals, and a dance routine that would make any choreographer proud. Original members would include Otis Williams, Elbridge Bryant, Eddie Kendricks, and Melvin Franklin. Signing with Motown Records in 1961, the group would stick with this label for over 40 years behind the R&B legend Stevie Wonder.

Movin' On Up

Collaboration with industry greats such as Smokey Robinson, The Temptations produced their first single called The Way You Do the Things You Do in January of 1964. The group got their first break when the single hit the Top 20 later that spring. The single The Way You Do the Things You Do and a few other songs were made into the album Meet The Temptations. Late in 1964, the group released another single titled My Girl, which became the group's first number hit and is the most recognized of their songs still today.

Keepin' On Keepin' On

After the release of their first album and the hit single My Girl, the group was primed or success and released series of hits throughout the 1960's. With fame comes come temptations, and the lead singer David Ruffin began to see things differently than other band members. His actions, such as riding separate from the group when going to concerts and even wanting the band to change its name, began to alienate his fellow musicians in the ensemble. David Ruffin was eventually fired just before the turn of the decade.

Finding a replacement for Ruffin, The Temptations went back to the studio and began to produce new singles for the new decade. Songs such as Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are) climbed the charts of the Top 40 charts and again placed the group in the limelight. One of their most famous songs of the decade can from the single Papa Was A Rolling Stone, which was in full length twelve minutes long but was condensed for radio play. The single went on to win the group another Grammy Award in 1974.

Limited Success

With some internal restlessness, the group underwent some changes during the latter decade of 1970. Change in management and eventually a change in record labels going from Motown to Atlantic, the group was still producing but the limelight had faded to a flicker. The group managed to break into the charts but did not have the recognition as they did earlier in the decade. With more internal changes, by end of the 1970's the group was rife with problems, however, they did not give up.

In the early 1980's some of the original members came back to the group and release an album titled Reunion. After the release of the album, a tour ensued. More problems on the road and disagreements with the return of David Ruffin, the tour ended and once again the group found themselves in shambles. The 1980's were of lent no love to the group and with each passing year the group faded from the spotlight.

Making History and Becoming History

As was the 1980's the 90's basically were the demise of the group. Their problems with musician retention would not afford them the success that they so desired. The group stayed together and still toured, but the fan base was no longer there. The tours became shorter and the venues they played got smaller. In the early 2000's, The Temptations were recognized in a television mini series called The Temptations. Along with their story debuted on television, the group again achieved fame when their album Ear-Resistible won them another Grammy Award in 2001.

Although the group was back in the limelight, the members were growing weary as some drifted off to pursue solo careers while others simply stopped to take a breath of fresh air. Their music has been re-released on nostalgic albums and the group was eventually inducted into the Vocal Group Hall Of Fame prior to their release of Ear Resistible. The group lives on however, with their music being played on both classic rock as well as golden oldies stations still today.

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