Questions
Where and when did The Temptations form?
They formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1961. The group came together from two rival local acts, The Distants and The Primes.
Were they always called The Temptations?
No, they started out as The Elgins. They changed the name after Berry Gordy found another group already used it, and the new name was suggested by Miracle Records employee Billy Mitchell and songwriter Mickey Stevenson.
Who was in the classic lineup?
The celebrated "Classic Five" was Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, and David Ruffin. Ruffin joined in January 1964, replacing Elbridge "Al" Bryant.
What is their signature song?
"My Girl," released in 1964, is their signature song and became their first number one pop hit.
What are some of their other biggest hits?
Fan favorites include "Ain’t Too Proud to Beg" (1966), "Cloud Nine" (1968), "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)" (1971), and "Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone" (1972), which was a nearly seven minute production.
Did they win any Grammys?
Yes, they have won four Grammy Awards. "Cloud Nine" won in 1969 for Best R&B Vocal Group and was reportedly Motown’s first Grammy win. They also received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in February 2013.
Are they in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
Yes, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on January 18, 1989. Three of their songs also appear on the Hall’s list of "500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll."
What is "psychedelic soul" and how are they connected to it?
Starting in October 1968, producer Norman Whitfield reshaped their sound, and the group is credited with pioneering psychedelic soul by blending the Motown style with funk influences from artists like Sly and the Family Stone.
Is there any wild behind-the-scenes drama from the group’s early days?
Reportedly, by 1967 David Ruffin was riding to gigs in a private mink-lined limousine while the others shared a group car, and he demanded the act be renamed "David Ruffin & The Temptations." He was dismissed on June 27, 1968.
Did David Ruffin really crash the group’s shows after he was fired?
Reportedly yes. At his replacement Dennis Edwards’ debut in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania on July 7, 1968, Ruffin jumped onstage and sang "Ain’t Too Proud to Beg" before vanishing, and he repeated the stunt throughout that July’s tour despite security.
What happened with founding member Paul Williams?
Reportedly Williams struggled with sickle-cell disease and severe alcoholism by the late 1960s and needed oxygen tanks during performances, with Richard Street lip-synching offstage while Williams danced. Williams died on August 17, 1973, at age 34.
Why did Eddie Kendricks leave?
Reportedly Kendricks pushed for the group to strike in 1970 over financial concerns and disagreed with the psychedelic direction. He walked out after a November 1970 Copacabana engagement and left for good in early 1971.
How were the group’s famous dance moves recognized?
The group was ranked number one on Billboard’s "100 Greatest R&B/Hip-Hop Artists" list in 2023, and Rolling Stone placed them at number 68 on its "100 Greatest Artists" list in 2010.
Is anyone from the original group still performing?
Yes. Otis Williams is the last surviving original member and continues performing as of 2026. He owns the rights to the Temptations name and published his autobiography, "Temptations," in 1988.
Are The Temptations still active?
Yes, the group continues with rotating lineups and has toured for over six decades. They released the album "All the Time" in 2018 and performed at the Super Bowl XXXII halftime show in 1998.
