The Temptations

The Temptations

The Temptations are an American vocal group known for their success in the 60s and 70s at Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music. Known for their recognizable choreography, distinct harmonies, and flashy onstage suits, the Temptations have been said to be as influential to soul as The Beatles are to pop and rock. Formed in Detroit, Michigan, in 1960 as The Elgins , the Temptations have always featured at least five male vocalists/dancers. Having sold tens of millions of albums, the...
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quick facts
Career began:1960
Members:Ray Davis, Eddie Kendricks, Melvin Franklin, David Ruffin, Elbridge Bryant, Richard Street, Ron Tyson, G. C. Cameron, Barrington "Bo" Henderson, Dennis Edwards, Ali Ollie Woodson, Damon Harris, Otis Williams, Theo Peoples, Harry McGilberry, Joe Herndon, Terry Weeks, Glenn Leonard, Louis Price, Ricky Owens, Aaron "A Train" Smith, Paul Williams, Bruce Williamson
Hometown:Detroit
Also known as:The Tempations, The Original Lead Singers of the Temptations, THE ORGINALLEAD SINGERS OF THE TEMPTATIONS

Honors and Awards

Ear-Resistible
Grammy Awards
Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance

Members of The Temptations

Ray Davis
Ray Davis
Lived:1940-2005
Role:
Eddie Kendricks
Eddie Kendricks
Lived:1939-1992
Role:
Melvin Franklin
Melvin Franklin
Member from:1961-1994
Lived:1942-1995
Role:
David Ruffin
David Ruffin
Lived:1941-1991
Role:
Elbridge Bryant
Elbridge Bryant
Lived:1939-1975
Role:
Richard Street
Richard Street
Age:69
Role:

Record label for The Temptations

Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Founded:1947
Founders:Herb Abramson, Ahmet Ertegün
Parent company:Warner Music Group

Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz. Over its first 20 years of operation Atlantic earned a reputation as one of the most important American independent recording labels, specializing in jazz, R&B and soul...
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Gordy Records
Gordy Records
Parent company:Motown Records

Gordy Records was Motown's primary subsidiary for mainstream R&B/soul music. Originally known as Miracle Records , the name was changed in 1962 to avoid confusion with the Miracles singing group. The label's numbering system was combined with those of Motown and Tamla in 1982, and the label was...
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Motown Records
Motown Records
Founders:Berry Gordy
Parent company:Universal Motown Records Group

Motown is a record company originally founded by Berry Gordy, Jr. and incorporated as Motown Record Corporation in Detroit, Michigan, United States, on April 14, 1960. The name, a portmanteau of motor and town, is also a nickname for Detroit. Now headquartered in New York City, Motown is a...
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Musical genres covered by The Temptations

Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues

Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B and RnB, is a genre of popular African-American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was...
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Rock music
Rock music

Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has...
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Hometown of The Temptations

Detroit
Detroit
Founded:1701
Population:713,777

Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan, and the seat of Wayne County. It is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people, and serves as a major port on the Detroit River connecting the...
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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q:
    What year were The Temptations inducted into the music Hall of Fame?
  • A:
    The Temptations was inducted in to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989.
  • Q:
    Where did The Temptations begin performing music?
  • A:
    The band began in Detroit.
  • Q:
    What genre of music does The Temptations play?
  • A:
    Musical tracks by The Temptations are in the rhythm and blues genre.
  • Q:
    Which albums have been recorded by The Temptations?
  • A:
    Music albums released include:
    - Meet the Temptations
    - Sing Smokey
    - Gettin' Ready
    - Cloud Nine
    - I Can't Get Next to You
    - Puzzle People
    - Psychedelic Shack
  • Q:
    The Temptations' songs were released by which record label?
  • A:
    Record labels that The Temptations worked with include Motown Records.
The Temptations Photo Gallery

Awards & Accolades

  • Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals
    1973, 1969
  • Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance
    2001
  • Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
    1989

Lists

The Temptations
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