The Good ‘Doctor’ | Otis Williams Turns 80 and is truly the Soul Survivor
The Temptations, one of the most prolific musical institutions of all time and known as the “No. 1 R&B Artists of All Time”(Billboard), are commemorating their 60th Anniversary, now through June 2022. The year-long campaign will feature many celebratory events along the way…
In the beginning there was Melvin Franklin, Eddie Kendrick, Paul Williams and David Ruffin joined after their Meet The Temptations album, replacing Eldridge Bryant, and Otis Williams.
It has been 60 non-stop years of what has become classic Temptation harmony
Otis Williams, legendary recording artist, songwriter, executive producer and author, said, “I am thrilled to be celebrating the group’s 60th Anniversary and my 80th birthday” Williams said in a recent interview.
With 14 R&B No 1 singles under their belts (among them: My Girl, The Way You Do the Things You Do, Cloud Nine, Papa Was a Rolling Stone and Get Ready), their music provided a soundtrack to the 60’s and early 70’s, helping lift up Motown Records in the process.
The Tempts earned Motown it’s first Grammy in 1968 with Cloud Nine a song that marked the first personnel change when David Ruffin was replaced by Dennis Edwards who sang the majority of the lead on Cloud Nine and marked a change in the types of songs the Temptations were known for, Edwards was formerly with the Contours, Ruffin died in 1992. Paul Williams suffered from sickle-cell anemia, and this illness caused him pain and proved to be a difficult experience for him, his troubles increased as he turned to alcohol to cope with the band’s hectic touring schedules and recording sessions. Soon after, he also began to have money problems. Williams reportedly committed suicide on August 17, 1973 and was replaced by Richard Street formerly of the Monitors.
Eddie Kendricks left the group and embarked on a successful solo career in was replaced by Damon
