By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 02:10 pm:

http://www.barringtonhenderson.com/message_to_fans.htm

By stephanie (64.63.221.191) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 02:48 pm:

OH well I hope that he does well in his solo and personal endeavors this is sad news..
Stephanie

By medusa9e2003 (66.73.1.158) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 08:07 pm:

...yes it really is sad... Just curious, I wonder how many more Lead Vocalists will B replaced?? I mean, they've had some really good ones. I actually thought Dennis Edwards was it...then Ollie Woodson, I knew he was it...then Barrington..now G C Cameron...maybe they should choose a female next time...What do U think?
..and I don't mean 2 offend anyone...
then again, I guess everyday sure brings about a change..and a change happens every moment.

By Soul Sister (68.73.167.246) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 08:35 pm:

They need to reserect (sp.) David and Paul.

By Nish (170.224.224.134) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 08:38 pm:

HEAR HEAR! David and Paul!!! That's an idea! David, Paul and Eddie = IRREPLACEABLE.

By JoB (204.42.12.2) on Tuesday, June 24, 2003 - 04:08 am:

...LOL...good idea SoulSister...so exactly what time does the sayonce begin?

By medusa9e2003 (66.73.5.194) on Tuesday, June 24, 2003 - 07:07 am:

..or they could start auditioning 4 David, Paul, & Eddie sound a likes...and C what they come up with...lilke they sometimes do the lookalikes contest, then do the soundalikes...????
LOL!

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Tuesday, June 24, 2003 - 02:13 pm:

Better yet..
Why not resurrect the spirits of David, Eddie, Paul & Melvin just to give Otis the willies at night!
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By janebse (68.63.4.162) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 11:32 am:

Hey, be honest here. Are you going to resurrect David with all his problems? David was not self-disciplined. Unless you resurrect him with a few corrections, you are going to have the same problems all over again.

And look at the past. The Beatles could only stay together about ten years. Although the Four Tops were together longer, I've heard that two of them weren't speaking for 20 years and wouldn't even dress for a performance in the same room at the same time. And then one died. And this seems to be a universal truth. Groups have a hard time staying together intact for more than 10 years. Ego problems become a factor. And that's omiting some of the problems such as alcoholism, drugs, whatever.

Take an NBA team since they have 5 playing at the same time. An NBA team with five All-Stars doesn't work. As Magic Johnson said when asked whether a team with Larry Bird and him wouldn't be sensational. "We've been together on a team before, and we lost." When you look at NBA teams and their constant change of personnel, you will see many of the problems that groups have.

So, if you're going to resurrect the Classic Four, you will have to cure Paul's physical health problems and alcoholism, David's personal problems, stop Eddie's smoking, and cure Melvin's rheumatoid arthritis.

If you don't change David's personality, I'll bet if you put a babysitter on David 24 hours a day, he'd still find time to slip out.

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (205.188.209.109) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 12:01 pm:

Well, as far as I'm concerned he was just another 'filler' in the gap who's time has come and gone... and obviously, for whatever the reason.

So goes the story of another one of those 'wannabes' who would now profess to have been a former member of the (so-called) "Temptations"-- that's what I think.

"...NEXT"!!!

By Common (209.2.55.170) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 12:09 pm:

LOL!!!!

By douglasm (68.113.13.31) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 12:26 pm:

I hate to say it, Jim, but you make a good point.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 03:08 pm:

Janebse - May I ask, how well did you know David Ruffin. Were you a personal friend of his, thereby knowing his real peronality? Or are you going by heresay?

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (152.163.252.68) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 04:24 pm:

What a minute. Am I missing something here?
For the most part aren't these guys like, you know, as in the 'former', like in the 'past' tense?

And how can you begin to "change" any person, or persons, especially if you know they are all quite very much-- DEAD?!

Geez-oh Pete....

By Common (209.2.55.168) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 04:25 pm:

Jim: I was wondering the same thing but I missed the bus on this one. It's all good though.

Peace!

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (152.163.252.68) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 04:34 pm:

Yes it is-- and, we're just having some 'common' fun relating back and forth like this in the process!

Nevertheless, Janebse... we thank you for your 'hypothetical' scenario and your well intended comments!

By Common (209.2.55.170) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 04:40 pm:

Jim: LOL! Fun it is. Sometimes, we need some humor. You made my day! :oD

Peace!

By SB (206.214.2.16) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 05:52 pm:

I think janebse was definitely talking about what was going on w/the deceased Tempts at one point during their tenure and after, as it pertained to them. I don't think she was saying that they should be resurrected per se. She was commenting on the fact - that if such things were possible - it might have turned out to be the same old adage, in that - "No matter how things appear to change - they ultimately will still stay the same", and especially if they were meant to stay that a way - IMO.

I am not sure about this - but she may have also been wondering aloud, about at what point, should the ex-members (The celebrated 7) of the Tempts, and my beloved group, disbanded? Should they have disbanded when Al left? Should they have disbanded when David left? Should they have disbanded when Eddie left? Should they have disbanded when Paul left? Should they have disbanded when Dennis left? Should they have disbanded when Melvin died?

I have not even been up on the Tempts after the 1975 "Memories", album - and I have neva known much about the ins and outs after that time - yet I also have never mocked or knocked the members that have come and gone since my faves. There are no percentages in it for me to care so much.

I was devastated when Eddie left and Paul died - and that was a bit too much and enough for me, as it pertained to my emotional stake in the Tempts. Yet - I had always wished them Godspeed, because they still had a soft spot in my heart.

Now, we all have the right to our opinions on the matter - but I would venture to guess, that none of us would be totally right about it all. God is the Top Producer in all things, and this includes the members that have come and gone from the group that called themselves The Temptations. Everything single thing that happened to this group happened for a reason, and in God's time and w/i His Master Plan.

Whether one loves, hates or is indifferent to the last surviving original member or not - it means absolutely zilch in the scheme of things. Otis Williams is living out his destiny. It is the one that God planned for him. He could not have walked away from it if he tried. It is God's will that he is still standing w/a group called The Temptations. If God had not willed it so - Otis would not have been left standing. And again - this is whether one loves, hates or is indifferent to him.

IMO - janabse was just pointing out that Eddie wanted a solo career, so he chose to leave. Paul got sick, and eventually was told by his doctors to give it up. David wanted to change the name, and the rest were not down w/that tip. Eventually, he started missing shows, so he was asked to leave. And Melvin got sick and passed.

I had heard all of this before I read Otis's book - btw.

And no - these men cannot be brought back - but their legacy lives on. Can we not understand that the members that replaced the originals - were not that much different than the originals, as it pertains to one of their deepest desires? The members that replaced the originals also had dreams of becoming singers and singing w/a group. I'd bet big bucks that some of them had and would have tried out to sing w/another group besides the Tempts if it was meant to be that they did.

All of these men had dreams of singing in front of an audience when they were young pups - just like - Paul - Eddie - Al - David - Otis - Melvin - Dennis - Bo and all the rest. None of these men were/are perfect. None of these men were/are saints. They were just men - that were lucky enough to join in a profession and career that evidently they all love(d).

I say God Blessed and is Blessing all of their passionate hearts, by having had allowed and allowing them to sing in a group. Forget the name - it is still a singing group. It is not rocket science. They have cured no diseases. They have just brought joy and happiness to many folks thru the medium called Music. It shouldn't be nothing more or less.

Btw - I forgot to mention that Paul & Kell also went to the same high school as Eddie did. Jackson-Olin High School - located in Ensley, AL.

Lordy � but sometimes memories can be an *itch!

Peace.

By Common (209.2.55.169) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 05:55 pm:

Okay, no more jokes. I guess this is a serious topic. No harm was intended.

Peace!

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (64.12.97.7) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 07:44 pm:

SB,
What more can I say?

I am duly 'humbled' (again, even thought I meant what I had said) by your above expressed comments and thoughts, by it's intended well meaning... and I'm sure that 'Common" would agree likewise as well.

Thank you for adding on to that.
--Jim.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 08:03 pm:

Jim - They are still in our hearts and minds. We discuss "dead" people all of the time, not just their music. Sam, Jackie Wilson, etc. They are physically dead. But the spirit lives. Whenever someone talks about David, it's always negative, as if he was the only artist who took drugs, and laid around with the groupies. That's alright, we all will have our turn, what goes around comes around.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 08:23 pm:

I wasn't talking about you Jim on the last sentence. (LOL)

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (152.163.252.68) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 08:25 pm:

Thank you (my) SisDetroit,
You are duly recognized just as well, and for me, it's for always....

By Common (152.163.252.68) on Monday, July 07, 2003 - 08:33 pm:

Jim: I'm just kinda through right now because I thought it was all in fun. Everybody will have their own opinion on the group, whether fans/fanatics like it or not. I love the music like everyone else but to say, because somebody jokingly said that they would want to resurrect the 4 deceased members, doesn't warrant a lecture or a taking potshots because the Classic four has vices. Maybe it's because of the behavior of fans/fanatics that drive these entertainers to the edge in the first place because they are expected to "perfect" & place all these expectations. It is hard for any human being to live up to. Just think how they would feel if all of sudden everyone is demanding everything & anything of you? Yes, these people chose this life but sometimes, the public is unrealistic & relentless. Nobody was putting down the previous members of the group. Obviously, they were all talented men. But FANS need to realize that not everyone is going to share the same view about these group members as they do.

Peace out!

PS: Leave DR alone! LOL!

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (205.188.209.109) on Tuesday, July 08, 2003 - 05:58 pm:

Common,

You know, not to 'drudge' further on this but I actually stopped enjoying the "Temptations" after Kendricks had left, all the rest as far as I was concerned (with the exception of the only surviving member) were just 'stand-up' acts, whether they sang or not I could care less-- I just would'nt listen to any more of that.

The 'Temptations's' lost appeal was no longer going 'right' with me.

Realize, I know lot of people might have enjoyed their 'prolonged' stay, people bought into it (probably for sentimental reasons) but I didn't. And that's just how I feel about today's so-called temptin' "Tempts".

End of story.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Tuesday, July 08, 2003 - 06:00 pm:

End of story!!

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (152.163.252.68) on Tuesday, July 08, 2003 - 11:00 pm:

Hey my little Sis,
Let's blow the dust off this one Motown record album I have-- it just happens to be by the Temptations as we knew them all to be, back in 1966.

From their "Getting Ready" album, here's a little number featuring the vocals of Paul Williams, his rich, classy baritoned voice is somewhat reminiscent of that of Chuck Jackson, but with a little latin 'feel' in this one... this according to a review of this song title... on another website.

Once again, ladies and gentleman here they are-- THE TEMPTATIONS!
http://www.melingo.com/thesoulnet/whoyougo.ra,

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 01:59 am:

Who you gonna run to. That sexy voice. That's the man. WoooooWeeee. The best group of Tempts ever. There will never be another set of Tempts so perfect.

By Common (209.2.55.170) on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 08:22 am:

Hey Jim!

I hear ya loud & clear! :o) BTW, I really enjoy to hear Paul Williams sing. Several of his songs are favorites of mine including the last 2 songs he did before he died. I'm happy that his music & memory is living on.

Peace!

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (205.188.209.109) on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 09:08 am:

SisDetroit, Common:
Yes, the Temptations = PERFECT.

That part of the Motown 'legacy' of the 1960s equates into the very word-- despite whatever might have 'tormented' them as individuals and as human beings, collectively.

But whether they were in the recording studios or on stage the Temptations were exactly just that, they were simply = PERFECT.

By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 11:37 am:

HEY SB,YOU BROUGHT IT STROOOOOOOOOOOOONG,WOW!!,BUT YOUR STATEMENT IS PERFECT.

By Kegtapper (67.74.229.206) on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 02:04 pm:

Anybody ever heard of 'Feel Like Giving Up?' by Paul Williams...It was never released on the number assigned Gordy 45rpm (GO45 7125).
b-side was susposed to have been 'Once You Had A Heart'.

Has it been on a 'From the Vaults' collection? Anything?

Or 'DETROIT JAZZ' on Workshop Jazz Label WSJ 204
I loved PAUL's Voice... It was smooth in the early days.

By Scratcher (65.238.127.154) on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 02:09 pm:

Both Paul Williams sides are on the double disk One By One CD that features the solo work of David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Dennis Edwards and Paul Williams. Both sides by Williams are good and should have been released, "Once You Had A Heart" would have been a hit.

By Kegtapper (67.74.229.206) on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 02:16 pm:

Consider one other thing..

If the TEMPTS ever retired. FAKE (& Worse) Temps would springup all over. Muddying the waters. Can we all be a little gratefull that the tradition and tunes heard after individuals departure were still carried on.

The presence on stage, the aura of R&B nobility. They were the KINGS- nobody ever talks about the missing PIP, or rarely speak of wishing Claudette was back with the Miracles before they disbanded. Appreciate what we had and still have, at least it was recorded. And available, think of your gParents music and how hard it is to find for them recorded-(Unless you was born in the 70's)

I just say I am grateful for the times that I had and what influences in music and life they gave to me, in any combination. Though I have my favorite.

By Kegtapper (67.74.229.206) on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 02:19 pm:

Thanks Scratcher!!

By Common (209.2.55.172) on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 02:37 pm:

Kegtapper & Scratcher: those were 2 of the Paul Williams songs I was referring to.

Peace!

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (64.12.97.7) on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 03:09 pm:

Hi Kegtapper,
I'm content and "grateful that the (old Motown Temptations) tradition and tunes heard after individuals departures were still carried on" then, and in present, are still available to us in the form of CD re-issues-- and the Temptations having been with MOTOWN (in the 1960s) only-- as I'll accept nothing less.

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (64.12.97.7) on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 03:45 pm:

Hi Scratcher,
Thanks for that added bit of information, now do you know if that CD you refered us to is currently available?

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 04:55 pm:

Jim Feliciano - If you can't find it on line, you can get it at Damon's Records on Plymouth Rd. a couple blocks west of Evergreen. Give them a call.

By Scratcher (65.238.127.167) on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 05:14 pm:

I'm sure it is Jim. Check Amazon or Barnes and Noble. I keep it in my car's CD changer. It's really a great CD, all the cuts are the full versions, including Kendricks' "Keep On Trucking," "Boogie Down" and "Can I."

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 05:22 pm:

Hope this works for "One By One" on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000001AAN/qid=1057785972/sr=1-27/ref=sr_1_27/103-1978513-2891843?v=glance&s=music

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (205.188.209.109) on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 06:14 pm:

Scratcher, (my) Sis in Detroit... thank you both so kindly, and I'll just do that!

By janebse (68.63.4.162) on Wednesday, July 16, 2003 - 03:51 pm:

Kegtapper, You're right. Be grateful we still have Temptations carrying on the Tempt tradition. Read an interview with Theo Peoples who said it was his own fault (drugs) that he left the Tempts. He talked about learning how to carry on a tradition, aboutlearning how to do all the things that make a Tempt a Tempt. About the strict training and rehearsals.

When I see him as a Top now, all I can see is a Tempt amidst Tops. Theo moves, sings, and dances like a Tempt.

By JSmith (212.39.231.20) on Thursday, July 17, 2003 - 09:13 am:

While on the subject of the Tempts........
A friend asked me who sang the background vocals on Shorty Long's "Devil With A Blue Dress?" He seems to think it might have been the Temptations.
ANY CHANCE ?????

By janebse (68.63.4.162) on Thursday, July 17, 2003 - 03:46 pm:

I don't know, but unless it was in the really early days I don't think it was the Temptations as such. Once they had a hit, they were stars. And if you had all five singing as the Temptations they weren't singing any background.

HOWEVER, as individuals they sang background on many a song, even after Motown moved to L.A. You can look at lists of credits and see the names Melvin Franklin, Otis Williams, Richard Street, et al. I can't remember if any one song had all five of them. As individuals they sang background for friends, whatever. They made that distinction. As individuals they were free to sing background, just not as The Temptations.

By JSmith (195.93.50.10) on Saturday, July 19, 2003 - 01:22 am:

Another Tempts related fact........
ex member Ali Woodson sounds great on a new release "You Need Love" released by BOSTICK.
I know nothing about the artist or how Ali came to be providing the lead vocals on the track BUT it is a really good cut (released in the UK on a Cafe de Soul comp CD).

By MzMusik (205.188.209.109) on Sunday, July 20, 2003 - 10:41 pm:

You know what? I am so sick of Otis and his Temptations!!!! There will never be another like the classic 5!! The only thing the Tempts are good for now is making nice cd's to listen to, because when they are in concert, all they do is sing the songs from the 60's and 70's Temptations. I went to see them in 2000 and they sang most of the early hits. They released For Lover's Only in '98 and Phoenix Rising in 2000? and they didn't sing one song from FLO and only This Is My Promise from PR. I was soooooo disgusted with them. I like to hear the classics but damn, do you have to make your whole show from songs that you hadn't sang on. You would think that they would have sang most of the songs from Phoenix Rising because that was in heavy rotation on the radio at the time. They will be here in Toledo on December 19 but i'm not wasting my money, if I want to hear the songs of yesteryear, i'll play them on my stereo. Nuff said!!!

By Leoscasino (66.72.196.14) on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 - 07:49 pm:

Amen, MzMusik. Well said. This has been
a thorn in my side for YEARS!. Unfortunately,
I will be seeing them in Cleveland Saturday nite,
ONLY because The Tops, Whispers and Ojays are
also appearing.

By Jim Feliciano in Detroit. (205.188.209.109) on Wednesday, July 23, 2003 - 08:48 pm:

'YO, and two RIGHT-ONS!!!

By JoB (204.42.12.2) on Thursday, July 24, 2003 - 03:11 am:

Leocasino...that is going to be a GREAT show...I went to the same exact one here in Indy last Saturday...got a full review for ya (check out the thread entitled "AND IT'S OFFICIAL..."---and take my advice, don't waste your time on the so-called "afterparty"...

By gdwms (67.97.33.140) on Thursday, July 24, 2003 - 09:44 am:

You can't ressurect the Classic 5,but you can bring back 4/5 of the "Papa Was A Rolling Stone"
line up,Otis,Richard,Damon & Dennis.Or the "Power"
line up with Glen replacing Damon.Possibly bring
in Ray Davis from Parliament,for the bass parts.
To me this would be as close as we could get.

By R. S. (151.204.38.119) on Thursday, July 24, 2003 - 11:50 am:

Why Bring in Ray Davis? Harry Berry could do the bass part. He has a nice clear bass and sounds closer to Melvin. Plus he can dance. Ray Davis wasn't there long enough to learn the steps!