Concert: The Temptations

Keywords

The Temptations Concert Schedule

Chicago Gigs

The Temptations

Album

Songs

Video

Music

Background:

They are an American Motown singing group. They are known as the "The Tempts" or "The Temps". There music includes doo-wop, soul, psychedelic, funk, disco, R&B, and adult contemporary.

The group was formed in 1960, in Detroit, Michigan. They were formed as The Elgins. They have always had five African-American male vocalists/dancers. As The Beatles are to rock , so are they to soul. The group is noted for its finely tuned choreography, distinct harmonies, and stylish suits.

By 1982, they had sold out 22 million albums. They are the most popular group in black music history. They were proclaimed the male vocal group of the 1960s.

The had the second longest tenure on Motown. They were under the label for 40 years. 16 years from 1961 to 1977, and 24 more from 1980 to 2004. from 1977-80, they were with Atlantic Records.

Presently the group continues to perform but only has founder Otis Williams (from the original group), in its lineup. There line up has altered over the year just like the sister group. In these years they have given four #1 pop hit singles and 14 #1 R&B hit singles. The have won three Grammy Awards.

Discography:

For a detailed listing of albums and singles, see: Temptations discography.

US and UK Top Ten Singles:

The following singles reached the Top Ten of either the United States pop singles chart or the United Kingdom pop singles chart. Also included are the singles that hit #1 on the US R&B charts.

Year Song title US Top 10 chart R&B No. 1
1965: "My Girl" Listen[?] 1 1
1966: "Get Ready" Listen[?] - 1
1966: "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" Listen[?] - 1
1966: "Beauty is Only Skin Deep" 3 1
1967: "(I Know) I'm Losing You" Listen[?] 8 1
1967: "All I Need" 8 -
1967: "You're My Everything" 6 -
1968: "I Wish It Would Rain" Listen[?] 4 1
1968: "I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)" - 1
1968: "Cloud Nine" Listen[?] 6 -
1968: "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me"
(Diana Ross & the Supremes and the Temptations) 2 -
1969: "Run Away Child, Running Wild" 6 1
1969: "I Can't Get Next to You" Listen[?] 1 1
1970: "Psychedelic Shack" Listen[?] 7 -
1970: "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World is Today)" Listen[?] 3 -
1971: "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)" Listen[?] 1 1
1972: "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" Listen[?] 1 -
1973: "Masterpiece" 7 1
1973: "Let Your Hair Down" - 1
1974: "Happy People" - 1
1975: "Shakey Ground" - 1
1981: "Super Freak (Part I)"
(Rick James featuring The Temptations) 6 -

Other Samples:

1959: "Come On" by The Distants (first recording) Listen[?]
1964: "The Way You Do the Things You Do" (first Top 40 and Top 20 hit) Listen[?]
1982: "Standing on the Top" (1982 Reunion single, featuring Rick James) Listen[?]
1984: "Treat Her Like a Lady" (#2 R&B hit) Listen[?]
1998: "Stay" (#1 adult contemporary hit) Listen[?]

Top Ten Albums:

The following albums reached the Top Ten on either the United States pop albums chart or the United Kingdom pop albums chart.

1966: Greatest Hits (US #5)
1967: Temptations Live! (US #10)
1967: The Temptations with a Lot o' Soul (US #7)
1968: Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations (with Diana Ross & The Supremes) (US #2)
1968: TCB (with Diana Ross & The Supremes) (US #1)
1969: Cloud Nine (US #4)
1969: Puzzle People (US #5)