In the year 2004 The Temptations are now in their 43rd year as a recording and performing group. Over those 43 years twenty one members have passed through the group all adding something substantial to the Legacy of The Temptations.
After joining Berry Gordy's expanding Motown empire in 1961, the group spent over three years searching for that elusive hit. Even Berry Gordy himself couldn't produce a hit record for the group and they seemed destined to play a bit part in the Motown legend.
The group finally got the breakout hit they craved with the arrival of David Ruffin replacing the departing Elbridge Bryant and the recording of Smokey Robinson's 'The Way You Do The Things You Do' in January 1964. The rest as they say is folklore, the group spent the next two decades establishing themselves as one of the most successful vocal groups of all time along with being a corner stone for all new acts to judge themselves by.
But what now for Motowns super group? 1997 saw The Temptations return to the fore - front of R&B with the release of their biggest selling album to date the double Platinum selling release 'Phoenix Rising' from which the single 'Stay' was taken. 'Stay' which featured a sample from 'My Girl' stayed at the top of the Urban charts in America for over 11 weeks one of the longest running number one's in the history of the Billboard Charts. This release co-incided with NBC's screening of the Temptations mini - series which helped in propeling the group back to the top of the charts
The Temptations now a settled line up of Otis Williams, Ron Tyson, Terry Weeks, Harry McGilberry Jr & Barrington 'BO' Henderson reaped the rewards of this highly successful album with The Temptations having some of the biggest publicity the group had experienced since the early days of Motown.
The group weathered stormy seas during the nineties with tradgedy after tradgedy threatening to end the group. The deaths of David Ruffin & Eddie Kendricks in 1991 and 1992 respectively had hit the group hard. Although both David & Eddie hadn't performed with the group for years strong mutual ties were still evident and with the worsening health of Melvin Franklin it was considered wether or not the group should be put to rest.
Melvin Franklin passed away in 1995 during the recording of 'For Lovers Only' which features his voice on one track 'Life Is But A Dream'. After the death of Melvin it left Otis Williams as the sole remaining original member of The Temptations and he vowed to continue the Legacy of the group for his fallen brothers. Ray Davies Jr bass singer with Parliament was drafted in to complete the album but he was denied a permanent stay in the group after being diagnosed with Lung Cancer, a change in the line up was evident again with Ali Ollie Woodson who had been with the group since 1983 deciding to call it a day. He was replaced by a young vocalist named Terry Weeks who had been signed to Otis' production company 'Honey of an O'.
Harry Mcgilberry Jr formerly of Philadelphia International's The Futures replaced Ray Daives and the group headed back into the studio. Midway through recording another un-wanted personel change came about in the guise of Theo Peoples leaving the group due to personal problems. He was replaced by Barrington 'BO' Henderson formerly of 'The Dramatics' and the group set about releasing 'Phoenix Rising'.
After the success of 'Phoenix Rising' this line up stayed together for over five years with the release of the Grammy award winning 'Ear-Rissitable' in 2000 and 'Awsome' in 2001. Fast forward to 2003 and problems with members of the group are once again reering their ugly head. Barrington 'BO' Henderson left the group in June 2003 after making it clear he wanted a solo career and was promptly replaced by former lead man for The Spinners G.C Cameron, and in September due to personal problems Harry McGilberry left the group and was replaced by bass singer Joe Herndon who in his career had also sang with Pookie Hudson.
The new line up for the group had been together for just under six months when they entered into the studio to record what was to be the groups 60th album. The 2001 release of 'Awsome' had received a luke warm reception from critics and fans alike, so this new album had to try and carry on from the success of both 'Phoenix Rising' and 'Ear - Ressitable'.
The first single from the album came to surface in March 2004, this being 'Fifty Fifty Love' an up-tempo soulful track which features a shared lead from Terry Weeks and G.C Cameron. The track itsself samples a riff from Scarface's 'Mind Playing Tricks On Me'. Although this track may well alienate some fans of the 'Classic' Temptations it will bode well with fans of current R&B. Yet all the trademark Tempts features are there, a powerful lead vocal blended with fantastic harmonies and a welcome return to the old style of trading leads between members.
Later that month fans got a second sneak preview of the album with 'Somethin Special' which certainly lived up to its title. The track was the first to feature heavily from the groups new bass singer Joe Herndon and his rolling bass voice is highly effective. Again as with the majority of songs on the album 'Somethin Special' features a shared lead from G.C Cameron & Terry Weeks. This track has prooved a big favourite with Modern soul fans and is set to be one of the biggest tracks of the year on the UK Soul scene.
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