Subject: "The Temptations - United?" [1] I found recent observations ("The Soul Patrol Digest" V1 #1379 - Thu, 2 Nov 2000) about Otis Williams very interesting. I love the Temptations, which includes every variation of the group! Click the following images to watch videos on YouTube.com. Temptations "My Girl" (David, Melvin, Otis, Paul, and Eddie) Temptations "Just My Imagination" (Dennis, Melvin, Otis, Paul, and Eddie) Temptations "1983 Medley of Hits" (Dennis, Melvin, Otis, Richard, and Ron) Temptations "Treat Her Like A Lady" (Ali-Ollie , Melvin, Otis, Richard, and Ron) Temptations "2020 Medley of Hits" (Otis, Ron, Terry, Willie, and Mario) As someone who owns ALL of the Temps music, it's my observation this group has consistently demonstrated an uncanny musical chemistry that, if you simply listen to them, remains current, ever powerful. Unfortunately, on one hand, unlike The Dells and The Four Tops, the Temps did not develop and maintain a "killer" team spirit. For example, there was absolutely NO excuse for abandoning Paul Williams, perhaps the most underrated and overlooked Temptation. I'm not going to point fingers at Otis. Clearly, a "team" is more than just one person. [2] On the other hand, the Temptations have consistently been composed of phenomenally talented men who, with the right packaging and development, could have become MAJOR individual music icons. Clearly, they all HAD the POTENTIAL, with: David Ruffin "Morning Song Sung Blue" "Statue of a Fool" "Love Supply") CLICK ABOVE IMAGE TO WATCH VIDEO ON YOUTUBE.COM   Eddie Kendricks "Can I" (Original 6:18 min LP Version) "My People...Hold On" and the so very sincere and beautiful "Each Day I Cry A Little"     Dennis Edwards "Don't Look Any Further" and the best version of Leon Russell's "A Song For You" and "Do You Wanna Go With Me" CLICK ABOVE IMAGE TO WATCH VIDEO ON YOUTUBE.COM     Ali-Ollie Woodson "Touch Me" "At Last" "Love Me Right" and the sequel to "Ball of Confusion," "Error of Our Ways" CLICK ABOVE IMAGE TO WATCH VIDEO ON YOUTUBE.COM     Glenn Leonard "I'm On Fire - The Body Song" "Silent Night" CLICK ABOVE IMAGE TO WATCH VIDEO ON YOUTUBE.COM     Paul Williams "For Once In My Life" "The Impossible Dream" and many more CLICK ABOVE IMAGE TO WATCH VIDEO ON YOUTUBE.COM     Richard Street "Firefly" "I'm Fascinated" "Hey Girl - I Like Your Style" CLICK ABOVE IMAGE TO WATCH VIDEO ON YOUTUBE.COM . . . and yes, of course, I must include Ron Tyson "My Love Is True (Truly For You)" and Melvin Franklin ("Ol' Man River" and "Life Is But a Dream"); and Louis Price, Damon Harris, Theo Peoples and a few others who I won't mention to save time. [3] Unfortunately, Motown was not a place that truly fostered pushing the envelope. Berry Gordy perceived certain limits for his company and its stars. Read Gordy's book. Read Smokey's book. Read Martha Reeves' book. And as you mentioned, read Tony Turner's book. Read them all and you come away with a clear belief that certain people got certain things. Motown was not a democracy. Is any company? It was a company with limits. I believe Otis has survived by trying to ebb and flow within those limits. This was good for Otis but, unfortunately, and despite paying their dues for many, many years as a Temptation, David and Eddie and Dennis and Ali and Richard did not fair as well. [4] My point? In my "ideal" world Dennis Edwards, Ali-Ollie Woodson, Damon Harris, and Richard Street would NOT be excluded as ACTIVE members of the existing roster of "The Temptation!" In fact, when David and Eddie rejoined the Temptations for 1982's "Reunion" I never expected them to stay in the group. I rather desperately HOPED they would make routine appearances as official "active members at large" and participate in an occasional tour and record with the primary (or core) group of Temptations lead, obviously, by Otis Williams. This would be a fans delight! To have seen and heard David and Dennis and Ali on the same stage at the same time! Pinch me. Slap me. I'd be in ecstasy. To have seen and heard Eddie and Damon and Glenn and Ron on the same stage at the same time! Again, pinch me. Slap me! I'm dreaming! Would I pay to see this version of the Temptations? Hell, I'd have jumped at the chance! In retrospect, clearly, Diana Ross should have realized that her mock "Supremes" reunion was more like Dennis Edwards' mock "A Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards" than "the real McCoy" as delivered by the actual Temptations "Reunion" back in 1982. Of course, my "idea" of a revolving roster of active members of the Temptations does not take into consideration the reality of conflicting personalities, internal group politics, and certain inevitable conflicting music business issues. Yes, I'm being naïve but I'd expect Otis and his peers to act like adults, put their petty conflicts aside (like "Sam and Dave" who, apparently, hated each other) and sing and dance for us fans and MAKE A HELL OF A LOT OF MONEY! [5] Remember, out of "NEW EDITION" came Bell, Biv, and DeVoe AND the individual careers of Bobby Brown and Ralph Tresvant. Yet, as I stated before, unfortunately, unlike The Dells and The Four Tops, NEW EDITION also did not develop and maintain a "killer" team spirit. If they had, I believe the careers of Bobby Brown and even Johnny Gill would have flourished instead of languishing in their current mediocrity. Even today, right now, I'd like to see Dennis and Ali and Richard and Damon occasionally touring and recording with Otis and Ron and the other "new" Temps. My "idea" of a revolving roster of active members of the Temptations would allow the pursuit of both team goals and individual goals and, yes, make this fan happy. [6] Do we petition Otis to allow Dennis and Ali and Richard and Damon to occasionally tour and record with the group as active members? [7] Do we boycott the current Temptations until or unless Dennis and Ali and Richard and Damon are allowed to occasionally tour and record with the group? [8] Does Otis care? [9] No, Otis does NOT care. Why? It's business and it's personal. [10] But, I wish he would try. It would be a exceptional legacy to leave to HIS fans! I made the aforementioned "Top 10" observations on November 11, 2000. Three months later, I'd still PAY for an opportunity to see "real" Temptations back together again. How can anyone deny the voices of Dennis Edwards, Richard Street [where's the book?], Ali Woodson, Damon Harris and Glen Leonard their RIGHTFUL place? Come on, Otis, do the right thing. Otis? Are you listening? Can't Black people work together, Otis? Mr. Williams, if I were you (yes, I know I'm not you, but...) I'd license [via contract] permission to Dennis, Richard, Ali, Damon (et al) use of the "Temptations" name. Why would you do this? A. Every time the "licensed" Temptations would perform (record, club dates, soundtracks, etc.) you'd get paid a certain percent of their gross. Why not use the FACT that the name "Temptations" has "weight?" Obviously, "A Temptations Review with Dennis Edwards" can't command the same dollars as the authorized "Temptations." However, two (2) valid groups can play more dates, and with floating rosters, also give members more time off to pursue individual interests too. B. A legitimate spin-off group eliminates perceptions of group adversity (can you say, "Supremes" or "Drifters," etc.) and a positive reception by the media and fans. Translation: YOU MAKE MORE MONEY. C. 1982's "The Temptations Reunion" album was truly an EVENT. You can and should increase the marque value of "The Temptations" by re-introducing Dennis, Ali, Damon and Richard into the fold. They paid their dues and will ALWAYS be recognized as TEMPTATIONS. It's a mistake not to realize their value. Let's get serious, the only one who can sing "I Can't Get Next To You" with authority is Dennis Edwards, period. Anyone else is an imitator. The original "Error of Our Ways" with Ali Woodson is superior to cover version on "Ear-Resistible." Substitutes just don't work. Where Diana Ross and her pseudo-Supremes failed, you can succeed! Translation: YOU MAKE MORE MONEY. D. As a performer, your safety net comes from being enmeshed in the group and NOT by leading the group. This is not a negative reflection on you but a reality that Ali and Dennis, in particular, and frequently Damon and Richard, have been out front carrying the songs, selling the songs. "Ear-Resistible" demonstrates the Temps still compare well with many contemporary groups. Yet, your current version of the Temptations has no soul, no history. More appropriately, you should call the group, "Otis Williams and the Temptations, " but do you think people would come to see you as the featured performer? Dennis, Ali, Damon and Richard should be producing NEW product and not just languishing their careers singing "oldies and goodies" [via "Emperors Of Soul"] from their heyday in the Temptations. Your former peers are consummate performers, driven to represent themselves - and the "Temptations'" name as perfectly and professionally as possible. Translation: YOU MAKE MORE MONEY. I'm telling you that I'd buy the music and attend the concerts of a "united" Temptations. I'm just one of many, many millions of TRUE fans of The Temptations that care less about your group politics and more about your artistry. The memory of what was and what could be endures! (In the melody of "My Girl") I guess you'd say, what can make me feel this way...   It's now 2021, and my, my, my . . . as represented by the graphic below, nearly all of the original and "key" members of The Temptations have died. Note their early deaths. Sadly, the band will not be getting back together.   But their wonderful, beautiful music endures . . . For their latest CD, concert schedule, and more, please go to - http://www.temptationsofficial.com I welcome your feedback. Trip Reynolds trip.reynolds@yahoo.com Reynolds' Rap Thu, 2 Nov 2000 © 2001-2021 Tripoetry. All Rights Reserved. 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