temptations

last night I saw and met with "The Temptations" and it made me a bit sad as Otis Williams is the only surviving original member. We had the chance to chat but there were many people who wanted to meet with him so it was "quality time". I must admit that I never met original Tempts David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks or Paul Williams but I knew Melvin Franklin who died seven years ago this past week-but the new replacements are very good and the show was excellent! I will provide you with info only on Otis and Melvin:

Melvin Franklin - The NICEST man at Motown and he was the 'backbone' of the Tempts as he smiled through everything. His voice was used on many background vocals for Motown (Marvelettes, Mary Wells, Rick James, Smokey Robinson and others) as no one had a bass like his. In concert, when he would hit the lowest notes, he would put the microphone just underneath his nose and speakers would rumble! "Old Man River" was done better by no one other than Melvin! I miss him a great deal as the tv show about The Temptations was true about his problems with arthritis. The doctors gave him steroids in the early 1980s and he swelled up so he cut back and thinned down but he hurt. Sometimes he would have to leave part way during shows to put on an oxygen mask but he would come back out smiling as though nothing was wrong. In the later years, he had to take the steroids due to physical movement which made him quite fat and unable to do the choreography. The tv show on the Tempts has him dying in his mother's kitchen but Melvin (his real name is David) died in hospital after a seven day stay - his heart gave up.

Otis Williams - The man with the STRONGEST HEART at Motown as he does not give up! He has very few Tempts leads but is the 'strength' of the Tempts as they are truly his life. Many people say bad things about him which is quite unwarranted as he has held together a group that has made billions smile (kind of like McDonalds restaurant). Otis knows he does not have a lead voice but when it comes to 'talking during a song', there is no better voice than his. I really do admire this man for never giving up as there have been about 20 "Tempts" and after they leave he just continues on...

....I guess I should add Dennis Edwards (I have the GREATEST respect for this man!) as he fought the demons of drugs and won. Dennis was asked to leave the Tempts in the mid 80s due to drugs but he is clean now. He has a group called "The Temptations Revue" which has caused Otis and Dennis to fight in court over the name-this is very sad as Motown and Jobete own most of the rights/money to the group's name. Dennis is doing well and performing regularly!

Anyway...next note will be the Originals

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