They have been famous throughout the world for over 40 years, have over 40 top ten Pop and R&B hits, recorded 57 albums many of which went gold and platinum, and are the winner of 4 Grammies. They were the original blueprints for the young singing groups that we have today and their name immediately defines harmony, style, class, dance, and excitement. FIVE TALL TALENTED TEMPTING MEN -THE TEMPTATIONS.Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin and Elbridge Bryant were the DISTANTS who hooked up with the PRIMES, Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams and became THE TEMPTATIONS in 1961 when they were signed by Berry Gordy, founder of the most successful black owned record company, MOTOWN "HITSVILLE". Paul brought to the group their first choreography AND their trademark of being tempting artists with class. With their special harmony and all five men able to sing lead, they began recording on the Miracle Label. However, their first singles shipwrecked and Berry Gordy had them record under the name, the PIRATES, which produced a single "MIND OVER MATTER" that remained buried. Only the Temptations "DREAM COME TRUE" (Gordy Label) made it to #22 on the R&B chart. However, the group kept on working, improving their performances at different venues, singing backup in the Motown studio and they also sang backup for Mary Wells at the Apollo. The Temptations had their foundation set by Motown's Artist Development Department, led by Harvey Fuqua and Mickey Stevenson, manager, Shelly Berger, choreographers Cholly Atkins and Lon Fontaine, and musician/mentors, Maurice King and Thomas "Beans" Bowles. The incomparable FUNK BROTHERS, Earl Van Dyke, keyboards, James Jamerson, bass, Benny Benjamin, drums, and Eddie "Bongo" Brown, congas, played on their recordings in the 60's and 70's. The 1959 DISTANTS song, "CHECK YOURSELF" has James Jamerson playing upright bass and Norman Whitfied playing tambourine.

When Elbridge left the group in 1963, a dynamic baritone singer, David Ruffin (who had a range up into the stratosphere) brought the group to new heights. The combination of David Ruffin exchanging leads with tenor Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, bass Melvin Frankin, and baritone, 2nd tenor Otis Williams, created a magic that could never be recaptured by any group of guys again.
Singer/songwriter Smokey Robinson started this classic group of David, Eddie, Paul, Melvin and Otis off and running, with Eddie leading "THE WAY YOU DO THE THINGS YOU DO" which hit #11 on the coveted pop charts in 1964. In 1965, the Temptations struck GOLD with the world famous #1 Pop and R&B Smokey Robinson song, "MY GIRL" with David Ruffin singing lead and the group never looked back. Smokey continued to produce Temptation chart topping songs led by Eddie Kendricks, David Ruffin and Paul Williams. However in 1966, Norman Whitfield's "AIN"T TOO PROUD TO BEG" hit #3 in the Pop chart while Smokey's "GET READY" only made it to #29 and Norman Whitfield continued producing top ten Pop and R&B Temptation songs for the next 8 years. David Ruffin, unhappy with the group not being called David Ruffin and the Temptations, (like Diana Ross and the Supremes) left in 1968 and was replaced by Dennis Edwards, whose voice seemed tailor made for the Whitfield songs. Otis Williams had noticed the new direction influenced by Sly and the Family Stone and soon Whitfield's songs, like "CLOUD 9" and the #1 Pop song "I CAN'T GET NEXT TO YOU" had the Temptations exchanging leads.

Thanks to founder Otis Williams, whose tenacity kept the Temptations together, they continued working world wide as the lineups changed. In 1971, Paul Williams was unable to tour with the group due to failing health and Eddie Kendricks, after recording the #1 song "JUST MY IMAGINATION", left the group for a successful solo career. Ricky Owens, was tenor for just a short time and Damon Harris continued the tenor legacy. In 1971, Richard Street replaced the beloved Paul who took his life in 1973. Damon, Richard, Otis, Melvin and Dennis won the Temptations first GRAMMY in 1973 with the #1 Pop hit, "PAPA WAS A ROLLIN' STONE" which garnered 3 Grammies for "Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance by a Duo, Group or Chorus, Best Rhythm and Blues Instrumental Performance and Best Rhythm and Blues Song". The Temptations continued touring in the early 70's with top ten albums and #1 R&B hits. When Damon Harris left the group, Glenn Leonard sang the first tenor that is heard on the popular Temptation's rendition of "SILENT NIGHT". After Glenn left, Ron Tyson replaced him. Ron Tyson wrote the majority of the songs on The Temptations' album, HEAR TO TEMPT YOU and his first performance with the Temptations was on the MOTOWN 25 TV SPECIAL in 1983. He has been a Temptation for over 19 years. When Dennis Edwards first left the group, Louis Price replaced him.

The Temptations left Motown and recorded unsuccessfully with Atlantic Records. In 1980 the Temptations were back at Motown and Dennis had rejoined the group. In 1982 Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin joined Otis, Melvin, Dennis, Glen, and Richard for a REUNION which was never to be forgotten. They toured to sold out venues and recorded the Rick James song, R&B#6 "STANDING ON THE TOP". After the reunion tour David and Eddie left and often toured together. Ali Ollie Woodson replaced Dennis in 1984 and sang lead on their #2 R&B hit "TREAT HER LIKE A LADY", which he co- wrote.

The Temptations, David, Eddie, Dennis, Melvin, Otis and Paul were inducted into the HALL OF FAME in 1989. In 1991, David Ruffin passed away of a drug overdose, Eddie Kendricks passed away in 1992 of lung cancer and in 1995 Melvin Franklin passed away of a brain seizure leaving Otis Williams as the only living original Temptation. After Melvin's passing Ray Davis was the bass on the 1995 beautiful album of standard love songs, "FOR LOVERS ONLY". Newcomer Theo Peoples was a lead singer on that album along with Ali-Woodson & Ron Tyson.

In 1998 the highly rated TV mini-series, "THE TEMPTATIONS" was shown and won an Emmy in 1999. That same year their album PHOENIX RISING was released and went platinum with songs "STAY" and "THIS IS MY PROMISE", sung by Theo who later joined The Four Tops. In 2001, the album EAR-RESISTABLE won the Temptations' 4th GRAMMY with the lineup of Harry McGilberry (bass) Terry Weeks(2nd Tenor) Barrington "Bo" Henderson (baritone), Ron Tyson and Otis Williams. The dynamic album AWESOME (with some songs written by Otis, Ron and Bo) was released in November 2001.
The Temptations continue singing to sell out crowds bringing their special harmony, steps and class to the world - 5 tall talented and tempting men. The current line up is Otis Williams, Ron Tyson, Terry Weeks, Joe Herndon, and Bruce Williamson.

Otis wrote in his book "The Temptations" p70, "After all the turmoil and disappointment we were going to make the Temptations into something bigger than all of us."

The legacy continues. TEMPTATIONS FOREVER.