Temptations chronology

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This page is a chronology of the Motown singing group The Temptations. It lists the members of the group during all phases of the group's history. While the Temptations have frequently changed their lineup, the group has always employed a person for each of the following roles:

• main lead singer (e.g., David Ruffin)
• secondary lead singer (e.g., Paul Williams)
• first tenor/falsetto lead singer (e.g., Eddie Kendricks)
• bass lead singer (e.g., Melvin Franklin)
• background second tenor/baritone w/ occasional lead (since 1961 Otis Williams has always held and continues to hold this role)

During their live performances, the falsetto and secondary leads have always been as predominant on stage as the group's official main lead/front man. Also, the falsetto lead position is always considered equal to the main lead position on studio recordings as well; the secondary lead was elevated to almost the same status in the studio from 1968 to 1972 and from 1993 onward.

The background/occasional lead role was originally that of another secondary lead singer before 1961.

The group has performed as a quintet throughout its history, with five exceptions:

• The Cavaliers' lineup (1955-57)
• The Primes' lineup (1958-60)
• April - May 1971 (no falsetto)
• The 1982 reunion lineup
• The later half of 1995, following the departure of Ray Davis

Since 1976, the name "The Temptations" has been a registered trademark definitively owned by Otis Williams and (the estate of) Melvin Franklin. ^{[1] [2]}

Contents 1 The Cavaliers 1.1 1955 - 1957 2 The Primes 2.1 1958 - 1960 3 Otis Williams & The Siberians/The El Domingoes 3.1 1958 - 1959 4 The Distants 4.1 1959 - 1960 5 The Elgins 5.1 1960 - 1961 6 The Temptations 6.1 March 1961 - December 1963 6.2 January 1964 - December 1964 6.3 January 1965 - June 1968 6.4 July 1968 - February 1971 6.5 March - April 1971 6.6 April - May 1971 6.7 June 1971 - 1975 6.8 1975 - 1977 6.9 1977 - 1980 6.10 1980 - April 1982 6.11 Reunion tour (April 1982 - December 1982) 6.12 1983 6.13 1984 6.14 1985 - 1986 6.15 1987 - 1989 6.16 1990 - 1992 6.17 1993 - 1994 6.18 Early 1995 6.19 Late 1995 6.20 1996 6.21 1997 - 1998 6.22 1999 - 2002 6.23 2003 6.24 2004 - June 2007 6.25 June 2007 - present 7 Timeline 8 References

The Cavaliers 1955 - 1957 Paul Williams Eddie Kendricks Wiley Waller Kel Osbourne The Primes 1958 - 1960 Paul Williams Eddie Kendricks Kel Osbourne

Otis Williams & The Siberians/The El Domingoes 1958 - 1959 Vernard Plain Otis Williams James "Pee-Wee" Crawford Athrur Walton Elbridge "Al" Bryant The Distants 1959 - 1960 Richard Street Otis Williams Albert "Mooch" Harrell Melvin Franklin Elbridge "Al" Bryant

The Elgins

1960 - 1961

• Paul Williams
• Elbridge "Al" Bryant
• Eddie Kendricks
• Melvin Franklin
• Otis Williams

The Temptations

March 1961 - December 1963

• Paul Williams
• Elbridge "Al" Bryant
• Eddie Kendricks
• Melvin Franklin
• Otis Williams

January 1964 - December 1964

• Paul Williams
• David Ruffin
• Eddie Kendricks
• Melvin Franklin
• Otis Williams

January 1965 - June 1968

• David Ruffin ^[3]
• Paul Williams
• Eddie Kendricks
• Melvin Franklin
• Otis Williams

July 1968 - February 1971

• Dennis Edwards
• Paul Williams ^[4]
• Eddie Kendricks
• Melvin Franklin
• Otis Williams

March - April 1971

• Dennis Edwards
• Paul Williams or Richard Street
• Ricky Owens
• Melvin Franklin
• Otis Williams

April - May 1971

• Dennis Edwards
• Richard Street
• none
• Melvin Franklin
• Otis Williams

June 1971 - 1975

• Dennis Edwards
• Richard Street
• Damon Harris
• Melvin Franklin
• Otis Williams

1975 - 1977

• Dennis Edwards
• Richard Street
• Glenn Leonard
• Melvin Franklin
• Otis Williams

1977 - 1980

• Louis Price
• Richard Street
• Glenn Leonard
• Melvin Franklin
• Otis Williams

1980 - April 1982

• Dennis Edwards
• Richard Street
• Glenn Leonard
• Melvin Franklin
• Otis Williams

Reunion tour (April 1982 - December 1982)

• David Ruffin
• Eddie Kendricks
• Dennis Edwards
• Richard Street
• Glenn Leonard
• Melvin Franklin
• Otis Williams

1983

• Dennis Edwards
• Richard Street
• Glenn Leonard
• Melvin Franklin
• Otis Williams

1984

• Dennis Edwards
• Richard Street
• Ron Tyson
• Melvin Franklin
• Otis Williams

1985 - 1986

• Ali-Ollie Woodson
• Richard Street
• Ron Tyson
• Melvin Franklin
• Otis Williams

1987 - 1989

• Dennis Edwards
• Richard Street
• Ron Tyson
• Melvin Franklin
• Otis Williams

1990 - 1992

• Ali-Ollie Woodson
• Richard Street
• Ron Tyson
• Melvin Franklin
• Otis Williams

1993 - 1994

• Ali-Ollie Woodson
• Theo Peoples
• Ron Tyson
• Melvin Franklin
• Otis Williams

Early 1995

• Ali-Ollie Woodson
• Theo Peoples
• Ron Tyson
• Ray Davis
• Otis Williams

Late 1995

• Ali-Ollie Woodson
• Theo Peoples
• Ron Tyson
• none
• Otis Williams

1996

• Ali-Ollie Woodson
• Theo Peoples
• Ron Tyson
• Harry McGilberry
• Otis Williams

1997 - 1998

• Terry Weeks
• Theo Peoples
• Ron Tyson
• Harry McGilberry
• Otis Williams

1999 - 2002

• Terry Weeks
• Barrington "Bo" Henderson
• Ron Tyson
• Harry McGilberry
• Otis Williams

2003

• Terry Weeks
• G.C. Cameron
• Ron Tyson
• Harry McGilberry
• Otis Williams

2004 - June 2007

• Terry Weeks
• G.C. Cameron
• Ron Tyson
• Joe Herndon
• Otis Williams

June 2007 - present

• Terry Weeks
• Bruce Williamson
• Ron Tyson
• Joe Herndon
• Otis Williams

Timeline

References

1. ^ Ex-Temptations Singer Dennis Edwards Loses His Court Battle To Use 'Temptations' Name, a January 1999 Jet magazine article via findarticles.com
2. ^ Williams, Otis and Romanowski, Patricia (1988, updated 2002). Pg. 181.
3. ^ David Ruffin was originally intended as second lead; however, following the success of "My Girl," he was given the main lead position.
4. ^ Richard Street begins to travel with the group in 1969, and will sing Paul Williams' parts from off-stage, due to Williams' failing health