- Temptations chronology
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This page is a chronology of the
Motown singing groupThe Temptations . It lists the members of the group during all phases of the group's history. While the Temptations have frequently changed their lineup, the group has always employed a person for each of the following roles:*main lead singer (e.g.,
David Ruffin )
*secondary lead singer (e.g., Paul Williams)
*firsttenor /falsetto lead singer (e.g.,Eddie Kendricks )
*bass lead singer (e.g.,Melvin Franklin )
*background second tenor/baritone w/ occasional lead (since 1961Otis Williams has always held and continues to hold this role)During their live performances, the falsetto and secondary leads have always been as predominant on stage as the group's official main lead/front man. Also, the falsetto lead position is always considered equal to the main lead position on studio recordings as well; the secondary lead was elevated to almost the same status in the studio from 1968 to 1972 and from 1993 onward.
The background/occasional lead role was originally that of another secondary lead singer before 1961.
The group has performed as a
quintet throughout its history, with five exceptions:*The Cavaliers' lineup (1955-57)
*The Primes' lineup (1958-60)
*April - May 1971 (no falsetto)
*The1982 reunion lineup
*The later half of1995 , following the departure of Ray DavisSince 1976, the name "The Temptations" has been a
registered trademark definitively owned by Otis Williams and (the estate of)Melvin Franklin . [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_7_95/ai_54724687 Ex-Temptations Singer Dennis Edwards Loses His Court Battle To Use 'Temptations' Name] , a January 1999 "Jet" magazine article via findarticles.com] [Williams, Otis and Romanowski, Patricia (1988, updated 2002). Pg. 181.]__TOC__
The Cavaliers
1955 - 1957
* Paul Williams
*Eddie Kendricks
* Wiley Waller
* Kel OsbourneThe Primes
1958 - 1960
* Paul Williams
* Eddie Kendricks
* Kel OsbourneOtis Williams & The Siberians/The El Domingoes
1958 - 1959
* Vernard Plain
*Otis Williams
* James "Pee-Wee" Crawford
* Athrur Walton
*Elbridge "Al" Bryant The Distants
1959 - 1960
*
Richard Street
* Otis Williams
* Albert "Mooch" Harrell
*Melvin Franklin
* Elbridge "Al" BryantThe Elgins
1960 - 1961
* Paul Williams
* Elbridge "Al" Bryant
* Eddie Kendricks
* Melvin Franklin
* Otis WilliamsThe Temptations
March 1961 - December 1963
* Paul Williams
* Elbridge "Al" Bryant
* Eddie Kendricks
* Melvin Franklin
* Otis WilliamsJanuary 1964 - December 1964
* Paul Williams
*David Ruffin
* Eddie Kendricks
* Melvin Franklin
* Otis WilliamsJanuary 1965 - June 1968
* David Ruffin [David Ruffin was originally intended as second lead; however, following the success of "My Girl," he was given the main lead position.]
* Paul Williams
* Eddie Kendricks
* Melvin Franklin
* Otis WilliamsJuly 1968 - February 1971
*
Dennis Edwards
* Paul Williams [Richard Street begins to travel with the group in 1969, and will sing Paul Williams' parts from off-stage, due to Williams' failing health]
* Eddie Kendricks
* Melvin Franklin
* Otis WilliamsMarch - April 1971
* Dennis Edwards
* Paul Williams orRichard Street
*Ricky Owens
* Melvin Franklin
* Otis WilliamsApril - May 1971
* Dennis Edwards
* Richard Street
* "none"
* Melvin Franklin
* Otis WilliamsJune 1971 - 1975
* Dennis Edwards
* Richard Street
*Damon Harris
* Melvin Franklin
* Otis Williams1975 - 1977
* Dennis Edwards
* Richard Street
*Glenn Leonard
* Melvin Franklin
* Otis Williams1977 - 1980
*
Louis Price
* Richard Street
* Glenn Leonard
* Melvin Franklin
* Otis Williams1980 - April 1982
* Dennis Edwards
* Richard Street
* Glenn Leonard
* Melvin Franklin
* Otis Williams"Reunion" tour (April 1982 - December 1982)
* David Ruffin
* Eddie Kendricks
* Dennis Edwards
* Richard Street
* Glenn Leonard
* Melvin Franklin
* Otis Williams1983
* Dennis Edwards
* Richard Street
* Glenn Leonard
* Melvin Franklin
* Otis Williams1984
* Dennis Edwards
* Richard Street
*Ron Tyson
* Melvin Franklin
* Otis Williams1985 - 1986
*
Ali-Ollie Woodson
* Richard Street
* Ron Tyson
* Melvin Franklin
* Otis Williams1987 - 1989
* Dennis Edwards
* Richard Street
* Ron Tyson
* Melvin Franklin
* Otis Williams1990 - 1992
* Ali-Ollie Woodson
* Richard Street
* Ron Tyson
* Melvin Franklin
* Otis Williams1993 - 1994
* Ali-Ollie Woodson
*Theo Peoples
* Ron Tyson
* Melvin Franklin
* Otis WilliamsEarly 1995
* Ali-Ollie Woodson
* Theo Peoples
* Ron Tyson
* "'Ray Davis
* Otis WilliamsLate 1995
* Ali-Ollie Woodson
* Theo Peoples
* Ron Tyson
* "none"
* Otis Williams1996
* Ali-Ollie Woodson
* Theo Peoples
* Ron Tyson
*Harry McGilberry
* Otis Williams1997 - 1998
*
Terry Weeks
* Theo Peoples
* Ron Tyson
* Harry McGilberry
* Otis WilliamsLate 1998 - 1999
* Terry Weeks
*Barrington "Bo" Henderson
* Ron Tyson
* Harry McGilberry
* Otis Williams1999 - 2002
* Barrington "Bo" Henderson
* Terry Weeks
* Ron Tyson
* Harry McGilberry
* Otis Williams2003
*
G.C. Cameron
* Terry Weeks
* Ron Tyson
* Harry McGilberry
* Otis Williams2004 - 2007
* G.C. Cameron
* Terry Weeks
* Ron Tyson
*Joe Herndon
* Otis WilliamsJune 2007 - present
* Bruce Williamson
* Terry Weeks
* Ron Tyson
* Joe Herndon
* Otis WilliamsTimeline
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bar:bass from:1960 till:1995 shift:($d) text:"Melvin Franklin" from:1995 till:1996 shift:($d,-4) text:"Ray Davis" from:1996 till:2004 shift:($d) text:"Harry McGilberry" from:2004 till:2008 shift:($d) text:"Joe Herdon"
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References
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