

The Temptations are an American vocal group that achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The groups repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B (rhythm and blues), doo-wop, funk (funk (music)), disco, soul (soul music), and adult contemporary music.
Formed in Detroit, Michigan, in 1960 as The Elgins (The Elgins (disambiguation)), the Temptations have always featured at least five male vocalists/dancers. Known for its 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 (pop music) and rock (rock music). Having sold tens of millions of albums, the Temptations are one of the most successful groups in music history and were the definitive male vocal group of the 1960s. As of2010, the Temptations continue to perform and record for Universal Records with its one living original member, Otis Williams, still in its lineup.
The original lineup included members of two local Detroit vocal groups: from The Distants, second tenor Otis Williams, first tenor Elbridge "Al" Bryant (Elbridge Bryant) and bass (Bass (voice type)) Melvin Franklin; and from The Primes, first tenor/falsetto Eddie Kendricks and second tenor/baritone Paul Williams (Paul Williams (The Temptations)) (no relation to Otis). Among the most notable future Temptations were lead singers David Ruffin and Dennis Edwards (both later solo artists), Richard Street, Damon Harris, Ron Tyson, Ali-Ollie Woodson, Theo Peoples, and G. C. Cameron. Like its "sister" female group, the Supremes, the Temptations lineup has changed frequently over the years.
Over the course of their career, the Temptations have released four Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles and 14 Billboard R&B number-one singles (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs). Their material has earned them three Grammy Awards, while two more awards were conferred upon the songwriters and producers (record producer) who crafted their 1972 hit "Papa Was a Rollin Stone". The Temptations were the first Motown act to earn a Grammy Award. Six Temptations (Dennis Edwards, Melvin Franklin, Eddie Kendricks, David Ruffin, Otis Williams, and Paul Williams) were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. Three classic Temptations songs, "My Girl (My Girl (The Temptations song))", "Aint Too Proud to Beg", and "Papa Was a Rollin Stone", are among The Rock and Roll Hall of Fames 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.
Background: group_or_band
Allias Name: Otis Williams & the Siberians, The Primes, The Distants, Otis Williams & the Distants, The Elgins, The Pirates
Origin: city-stateDetroitMichigan, ,United States
Genre: R&B (Rhythm and blues),Soul (Soul music),Funk,Doo-wop
Years Active: 1960-present
Associated Acts: The Supremes,The Temptations Review,The Primes
Website: www.otiswilliams.net/
Current Members: Otis Williams,Terry Weeks,Joe Herndon,Ron Tyson,Bruce Williamson (Bruce Williamson (singer))
Past Members: Elbridge "Al" Bryant (Elbridge Bryant) , Melvin Franklin , Eddie Kendricks , Paul Williams (Paul Williams (The Temptations)) , David Ruffin , Dennis Edwards , Richard Street ,Ricky Owens , Damon Harris , Glenn Leonard , Louis Price , Ali-Ollie Woodson , Theo Peoples , Ray Davis (Ray Davis (musician)) , Harry McGilberry , Barrington "Bo" Henderson ,G. C. Cameron