By Jan Riley (152.163.197.208 - 152.163.197.208) on Monday, July 08, 2002 - 12:15 pm:

Hi:

I am a devout fan of The Temptations. I have memories from my childhood of meeting all of them at Motown. While many of my friends went to day camp, vacation bible school etc. I would go up to the house on the boulevard and just wait for them to show up. And boy, did they show up! I was only 11-12 years old at the time. It was amazing. Eddie, David, Melvin, Otis and Paul. Of course they did not come as a group. It was never just them. While my friends and I were waiting to see which member of The Temps would come we would see the likes of Florence Ballard, Martha Reeves, many of the musicians, Berry Gordy and on and on ........ On one particular weekend I received autographs from David Ruffin. The chances of obtaining autographs were great because I was always there. I still have my albums. I cherish the memories and the autographed albums are so special to me!

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Monday, July 08, 2002 - 01:37 pm:

Hi Jan,
Welcome to the forum. Studio A was a good place to hang out. One could never be sure who would show up.

By Greg C. (209.71.79.209 - 209.71.79.209) on Monday, July 08, 2002 - 10:20 pm:

Hi Jan

I used to camp out in front of 2648 W. Grand Blvd, too. Of the Temptations I only met Paul and Eddie and they were very kind. I had the opportunity to meet the Spinners, the Marvelettes,
Mary Wilson, the Contours, Shorty Long (he was so nice and was that guy ever crazy!),just about all of the Funk Brothers, and the person I'll never forget, Tammi Terrell. She pulled up to Hitsville one hot summer Friday evening in a Cadillac Convertible. She stepped out of that car in this sexy dress and with a cool sophisticated strut, walked up that sidewalk and into the building. Everyone just stood there with their mouths hanging open. LOL Miss Terrell, she had style!

I think I mentioned before I used to sneak up to Hitsville late at night. A lot of the acts would finish their gigs at the 20 Grand and the other clubs around town and would go straight to the studio to record afterwards. I met a lot of Funk Brothers this way. They laid down a lot of the instrumental tracks late at night.

You talk about some serious memories...

By Jan Riley (152.163.207.177 - 152.163.207.177) on Tuesday, July 09, 2002 - 02:34 pm:

Hey Greg:
You and I share a lot of Motown memories. It was unbelievable that anyone could meet and talk with the greats. One lazy summer weekend in Detroit, I had a double-jammer weekend!, on the weekend that I met David Ruffin which was on a Sunday during his hospitalization at Henry Ford Hospital (which was 1/2half a block away), I met Edddie Kendricks as well. We camped out at Motown that Saturday. Eddie pulled up with 3 more guys in a midnight blue, tinted glass, 4 door Cadillac Brougham. It was shining like a diamond. The other 3 guys were not Temptations. So I was just jumping up and down and giggling. Finally, I was able to regain my composure. He gave us his autograph which someone stole from me. While we were talking he mentionned that David was in the hospital. He didnt have to tell me which one. I had to leave Hitsville at about that timebecause it was getting late about 6pm. He and his friends went on in to the building. (Remember I was only about 11-12). But as I walked home, my little posse and I laid serious plans on how we were going to get past the security guards, the docs and the nurses. There was no question that we would succeed and we did! David was so nice. He had a suite, his room looked like an apartment. I had all of my Temptation albums with me. He signed everyone. He relished being a celebrity and I relished being a fan ................

By Jan Riley (152.163.207.177 - 152.163.207.177) on Tuesday, July 09, 2002 - 02:39 pm:

Hey Ralph:

You were right. One could never be sure who would show up. But, if you stayed up there, as sure as the sky is above us, someone would come. It was great.

By Vickie (64.12.97.11 - 64.12.97.11) on Tuesday, July 09, 2002 - 02:43 pm:

I love hearing all these great stories,
Greg thanks for sharing about "our' Tammi - Yes she had style...Lots of it.

Vickie
Tammi Terrell's Biography

By Jan Riley (152.163.189.129 - 152.163.189.129) on Friday, July 12, 2002 - 12:09 pm:

Hi Vicki:

Are you really writing a book on Tammi Terrell?
Is it out? She was so Together! She was pretty, poised, so classy and boy could she sing. Wasnt she from Inkster, Michigan? Marvin never had a better partner (including Diana Ross) They did each other JUSTICE. The way tht she was portrayed in Otis Williams' Temptations movie was horrible. Of course, tht movie was very entertaining, but they ran away with the "artistic license".

By Vickie (205.188.200.52 - 205.188.200.52) on Friday, July 12, 2002 - 03:14 pm:

Hi Jan,
Yes we are writing her story... Tammi's sister an myself - together..
This will be very exciting for Tammi's fans to learn all about her.

Vickie

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Friday, July 12, 2002 - 06:00 pm:

Jan - FYI, Tammi hailed from Philly originally. :o)

By Jan Riley (64.12.97.11 - 64.12.97.11) on Sunday, July 14, 2002 - 12:17 pm:

Hi Vicki:

That is great. Her life story would make a tremendous movie as well as a fantastic book. Is there a website. It warms my heart to know tht the two of you are working on such a project. The world is waiting. She will never be forgotten.

By Jan Riley (64.12.97.11 - 64.12.97.11) on Sunday, July 14, 2002 - 12:22 pm:

Hi Temptation Fans!

Please, someone must tell me the history of a song that I heard on Kiss 105.9 Atl, GA. Of course, it is by The Temptations, the title is
"Sail Away With Me" It is very mellow, but it does not sound like Eddie, David, Melvin, Otis and Paul.

By Vickie (64.12.97.11 - 64.12.97.11) on Sunday, July 14, 2002 - 03:51 pm:

Thanks Jan,
We appreciate everyone's support and encouragement, this is a project long over due,
it will be worth the wait...

Thanks,
Vickie

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Sunday, July 14, 2002 - 04:56 pm:

Jan - the Temps song you refer to - correct title "Sail Away" - is a much later version of the group (1983), with a lead vocal by Ron Tyson.

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.32.130 - 62.31.32.130) on Sunday, July 14, 2002 - 07:12 pm:

Ron Tyson - now there is one of the great writers of the philly sound we love and enjoy AND a singer in The Temptations. Motown and Philly in one package! I would not know where to start if I met him. He has played on many a philly tune as well, I believe.

By Jan Riley (152.163.189.129 - 152.163.189.129) on Monday, July 15, 2002 - 03:46 am:

Thanks Ritchie:
I knew it wasnt the original Tempts, by 83 I was not into the Tempts. My interest and love rekindled when they released "For Lovers Only" which is absolutely a work of art (which includes Melvin Williams post-humously) and subsequently "Phoenix Rising". However, "Sail Away" is absolutely beautiful! Kiss l05.9 give it air play like it was just released. Was it released on an album? Name? The guy that sings Eddie Kendrick's part is very good but you can still discern the difference. Who is he?

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Monday, July 15, 2002 - 07:14 am:

Hi Jan

Sail Away was released on a 45, and it also appears on the Back To Basics album. The line-up at the time was:
Otis, Mel and Dennis, with Ron Tyson (lead) and Richard Street (high tenor).

By Vickie (205.188.193.54 - 205.188.193.54) on Monday, July 15, 2002 - 07:45 am:

Hey Ritchie,
who is it that sounds so similar to David Ruffin.
Is is Dennis?

Vickie

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Monday, July 15, 2002 - 08:19 am:

Hi Vickie

Dennis Edwards of course took David's place in the group, but I think you'd find opions differ about his sounding "so similar" to David. Dennis has an equally "gruff" voice, and fulfilled the "David" role well, but I think we'd all agree that he proved his worth as a member in his own right on the later records. I wonder though, if David had stayed in the group, would the fans have been happy with the "psychedelic" Temptations..? I can imagine his fans begging for "more David, less Norman!"

(Remember Dennis Edwards talking about Papa Was A.. ? He kept asking Norman, "is this where I come in?" only to be told "not yet... not yet". By the time his vocal actually came in to the song, he was so angry he gave the perfect performance out of pure frustration!)

Even so, with all due respect to Dennis, it's still David who gives me that "tingle" when he's at the mic.

By Vickie (205.188.193.21 - 205.188.193.21) on Monday, July 15, 2002 - 08:39 am:

Ritchie,
Gruff is good way to describe it..
I can tell the voices apart, they are
similar. I thought it was Dennis. There are only a few male voices that have that "gruff" sound and at the same time move you, David was one of them..

Vickie

By HW (12.110.192.128 - 12.110.192.128) on Monday, July 15, 2002 - 04:24 pm:

"Sail Away" is of course on the Temptations box set, 'Emperors Of Soul' - a good place to get your Temps' history, as it covers the group's history right up to the point they started recording 'For Lovers Only.'

By Ritchie (62.254.0.6 - 62.254.0.6) on Monday, July 15, 2002 - 05:10 pm:

I second that - a superb set.

(Nice one, H!)

By r (165.235.75.119 - 165.235.75.119) on Monday, July 22, 2002 - 03:10 pm:

David Ruffin, Wee Gee Howard (Dramatics), Marvin Junior, Teddy Pendergrass, are some of the names I come up with when I think "gruff". These are all voices that can give you that tingle you're talking about. I don't know how David would have approached the "Psychedelic Tempts". When Dennis first joined the group, he was trying to sound like David, so it probably would have worked. When LJ Reynolds first joined the Dramatics, he tried to sound like Wee Gee...that did'nt work for him. He was much better with his own style...but in my opinion, the songs would have probably been much better with Wee Gee. Listen to the "Dramatics Live" CD, and you'll see what I mean...LJ singing "Thank You For Your Love" pretty much makes you want to hear Wee Gee's version.

By JM Riley (152.163.189.129 - 152.163.189.129) on Wednesday, August 14, 2002 - 02:57 am:

I have autographed album covers of The Tempts Live, signature piece,
The one and only Mr. David Ruffin. I love the Tempts! They have earned their places in history. I am so glad tht Otis is still here with us. Just thought I'd throw tht out there. Im so proud of my original albums.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.7 - 62.254.0.7) on Wednesday, August 14, 2002 - 09:00 am:

JM - what a wonderful piece of memorabilia. Your original albums - cherish them with love. As you say about David - there will never be another like him. The "Classic Five" still stand as the yardstick for vocal groups - at least for those of us who can remember further back than BoyzIIMen!

By Dennis Coffey (152.163.189.129 - 152.163.189.129) on Wednesday, August 14, 2002 - 12:32 pm:

Hi everyone. The one thing I would like to say about the Temptations happened when I did an In Concert live show with them in LA. We had a lot of technical problems and other issues in the show. I just did my job. Afterwards I was surprized to get a thank you letter signed by all of the Temptations for my efforts. In all of my years playing with artists, this was the only thank you letter I ever received. They are a class act!

Dennis Coffey

By Bob Olhsson (68.32.101.228 - 68.32.101.228) on Wednesday, August 14, 2002 - 02:38 pm:

I always thought the whole point of the "Psychedelic Tempts" was that EVERYBODY was singing lead. Certainly it was a radical departure by Norman Whitfield but it was also precisely what the group both wanted and needed in order to become more than just a superstar lead singer and some background singers.

This always seemed very obvious to me. Norman filled the prescription but it was clearly the group who had written it.

By soulboy (213.105.242.198 - 213.105.242.198) on Thursday, August 15, 2002 - 10:23 am:

I recently purchased the 'lost and found' CD by the temptations, and it falls into the 'jaw dropper' category. How they condemned these tracks to the vault is beyond me. Real Quality stuff, i sometimes think that the temptations could not have made a bad record even if they tried to.
This CD focuses a bit more on the vocal talents of paul williams, (last one out is brokenhearted)
WOW!!! But my favourite of all has to be "we'll be satisfied" williams, kendricks,ruffin, compete with each other all on one track, not to mention the bassline. All i can say is:
I AM SATISFIED!!!!!

By Ritchie (62.254.0.7 - 62.254.0.7) on Thursday, August 15, 2002 - 10:41 am:

Hi SB

Much as we love David, Paul is highly rated by those Temptations fans who are smarter than the average bear.

By John Lester (213.1.132.185 - 213.1.132.185) on Thursday, August 15, 2002 - 12:03 pm:

I always considered Paul to be the heart of the Temps......and when he was no longer there, well, we all know what happened.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.7 - 62.254.0.7) on Thursday, August 15, 2002 - 12:08 pm:

As spoken by a smart bear.

By Common (209.2.55.115 - 209.2.55.115) on Thursday, August 15, 2002 - 12:36 pm:

Good morning all! (Though it maybe afternoon for some I see!;o) ) I, too, am in love with the Tempts "Lost & Found" CD. I tend to agree with Soulboy about the wonderful tracks that feature Paul on lead. I'm mystified as to why some of these tracks didn't appear on any of the Classic 5 LPs.

I do have a question. Does anyone notice that on "Camouflage, Pt.2", that there maybe some additional backup voices? For some reason, one of the voices sounds just like Richard Street. Now, I've read that the originals usually did a lot of backup work & was thinking if they, too, ever did additional backup work on the Tempts, especially on this "Lost & Found" CD? I clearly hear the Andantes on "That'll Be The Day"(a favorite of mine!). And, I, too, love the shared leads of "We'll Be Satisfied". I wonder if the Tempts themselves or others did backup for this song as well. :o)

By r (165.235.75.119 - 165.235.75.119) on Thursday, August 15, 2002 - 07:43 pm:

I respectfully disagree with the comment about the "Psychadelic Tempts". I don't think anything changed from the formula that was so successful. When it was Eddie and David, it seemed that Eddie got a lot of the leads in the earlier cuts, then David got most of the leads. In the group with Dennis, Dennis was the unquestionable lead on almost every song. They always let Paul and Melvin complement the lead, (and I know the great Paul was the original baritone lead, and everyone's favorite, we just loved to hear him sing even one line)...after Eddie left, after the psychedelic days, Richard and Dennis and Damon/Ron did seem to share more leads.

By soulboy (213.105.242.198 - 213.105.242.198) on Thursday, August 15, 2002 - 11:00 pm:

I am still a novice(relatively)when it comes to this sort of music. I also purchased the Marvin gaye lost and found CD. the feel of this was totaly different to that of the tempts lost and found, in that the album had a more dark and brooding type of feel to it. I love that also.
The point i am getting at is that despite having common writer,producers, and funk brothers, the artists still maintain an strong individual musical identity of their own.I still find this amazing.
OH, and there's a certain character on those CD'S that keeps croping up time and time again -
john lester

By Common (209.2.55.115 - 209.2.55.115) on Friday, August 16, 2002 - 01:49 pm:

Hello Soulboy. I, too, love Marvin's Lost & Found CD. There are some cuts that have that feeling that you describe. The songs tend to compliment Marvin's personality. It's very interesting that how closely some of the songs actually mirrored Marvin's life.


And it is amazing how all the artists were able to maintain their musical identity despite sharing the same "sound". I guess that's why Motown endured these past 40+ years. :o)

By TD (205.188.197.187 - 205.188.197.187) on Saturday, August 17, 2002 - 12:20 pm:

I recently purchased the "Lost Temptations" C.D. I was also blown away by the quality. I also recently purchased "Cellarful of Motown" a two C.D. set with some excellent music from lesser known acts i.e. Countors, Brenda Hollaway,Isley Brothers etc.- .
If you have not purchased this you must. It's like finding gold.
PS
Since this is the Temptation site, i must tell you that Dennis Edwards never sounded as good as he does on the Contours-"I like Everything about You"- wholly cow.
I cannot imangine any other recording company having this many unkown treasures hiddden.
4-Stars all the way.
One thing that is consistent through out is the great "Funk Brothers" playing on the songs- You will not beleve some of the stuff they are doing. Infact they actually have a couple song on the c.d. You gotta here "Tell Me Its Just a Rumor Boy"- WOW- fantastic.

TD

By soulboy (213.105.242.198 - 213.105.242.198) on Sunday, August 18, 2002 - 12:39 pm:

TD
By all accounts there are many more treasures in the 'cellar'

By TD (64.12.102.172 - 64.12.102.172) on Sunday, August 18, 2002 - 05:01 pm:

Soulboy

Looking forward to more.

TD

By Ritchie (62.254.0.7 - 62.254.0.7) on Sunday, August 18, 2002 - 07:44 pm:

Speaking of rare Temptations records....

Found on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=900119240

THE TEMPTATIONS WITH A LOT O' SOUL 78 RPM

"THIS IS A 78 RPM CALLED THE TEMPTATIONS WITH LOT O' SOUL. IT IS SINED BY DAVIS RUFFIN."

Could this be Genna's missing 78? ;)

By Common (205.188.192.29 - 205.188.192.29) on Sunday, August 18, 2002 - 08:47 pm:

Hey Ritchie,

Can this 78rpm be played on a stereo system that only has 45rpm & 33rpm? I have that particular Tempts LP & this sounds like a cool addition to any record collection, especially one signed by David.:o)

Peace! :o)

By Ritchie (62.254.0.7 - 62.254.0.7) on Sunday, August 18, 2002 - 09:31 pm:

I think the "78" description has got to be a serious misnomer! Surely, it's just a normal album - "sined" or not. Maybe it's being sold by someone who's so young they've never encountered vinyl...?

It's a newbie, so they're probably not too sussed... BTW, he/she is also offering a copy of the Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour (also described as a "78"). Unfortunately, there's no record in the jacket. (Optimist?)

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Sunday, August 18, 2002 - 11:44 pm:

Ritchie,
I have to agree with you. By the time the Temptations and Motown were on the scene 78's were long a thing of the past. I'm sure the seller has an LP.

By acooolcat (211.78.28.80 - 211.78.28.80) on Monday, August 19, 2002 - 09:49 am:

I think "Money" was pressed as a 78 - on the Anna label.
Graham

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Monday, August 19, 2002 - 01:30 pm:

Graham,
If that's the case, that would be a REAL collector's item.

By Common (209.2.55.112 - 209.2.55.112) on Monday, August 19, 2002 - 02:13 pm:

LOL! Ritchie, I just went back & looked at the ebay auction!! "Sined"?! LOL! Adding insult to injury, they're selling just a Beatles record jacket. This seller doesn't sound too confident when he/she placed this auction, huh? LOL!:o)

Peace!

By TD (12.126.74.86 - 12.126.74.86) on Monday, August 19, 2002 - 11:21 pm:

I purchased the solo David Ruffin album that was produced by Bobby Miller many years ago. If you can get this I highly reccommend it. There are several outstanding tracks
Common Man, the Roving Kind,Im Justa Mortal Man and several others that I cannot remember the names to.

TD

By keith harmon (165.83.235.12 - 165.83.235.12) on Wednesday, August 21, 2002 - 07:04 pm:

I wonder is Motown going to release CD'S ON Billy
Eckstein and Barbara Mcnair. The "Prime of my Life lp was a classic album by Mr. B. I hope Motown releases the Motown Revue in a cd package that would be great.

By Ritchie (62.254.0.7 - 62.254.0.7) on Wednesday, August 21, 2002 - 07:19 pm:

Keith

If you check out the Motown message board, you'll find the answers to these questions in detail, but briefly:

Yes
Yes
Not at present.

http://boards.motown.com/

By Common (209.2.55.114 - 209.2.55.114) on Wednesday, August 21, 2002 - 07:57 pm:

Hello TD,

I have that LP as well. It really is an excellent LP. "Common Man" is one of my favorite tracks, hence my moniker, which is really "Common Woman". :o) The other tracks are:

I Miss You(remake)
If Loving You Is Wrong(remake)
There Will Always Be Another Song To Sing
A Little More Trust
A Day In The Life Of A Working Man

Anyway, another good Ruffin LP is "Gentleman Ruffin". Though, it's not on Motown, it was produced by Don Davis & a couple of the cuts are written by Leon Ware, who produced & co-wrote Marvin Gaye's "I Want You".

Peace!

By Common (209.2.55.114 - 209.2.55.114) on Wednesday, August 21, 2002 - 07:57 pm:

Hello TD,

I have that LP as well. It really is an excellent LP. "Common Man" is one of my favorite tracks, hence my moniker, which is really "Common Woman". :o) The other tracks are:

I Miss You(remake)
If Loving You Is Wrong(remake)
There Will Always Be Another Song To Sing
A Little More Trust
A Day In The Life Of A Working Man

Anyway, another good Ruffin LP is "Gentleman Ruffin". Though, it's not on Motown, it was produced by Don Davis & a couple of the cuts are written by Leon Ware, who produced & co-wrote Marvin Gaye's "I Want You".

Peace!