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Tuesday 7 December 2021

The Temptations [2021] - When We Were Kings [UMG]


The first track pre-released from The Temptations album "Temptations 60" which is due on 22 Jan 2022 is "When We Were Kings" released last Friday (3 Dec 2021) to celebrate their 60th anniversary. 

The embryo of the group was formed in 1955 as The Cavaliers changing their name to The Primes in 1957. The Primes disbanded in 1960 but Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams from the group later joined with previous members of The Distants (Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, Elbridge "Al" Bryant) to form The Elgins and auditioned for Motown in March 1961. Before singing their name was changed to The Temptations as there was another group (not the later Motown group renamed from The Downbeats) called The Elgins. Their first two singles were released on the Motown Miracle imprint in Jul and Nov 1961 before switching to Gordy in 1962 where they stayed until leaving for Atlantic in 1976/77. They returned to Motown in 1980 continuing on the Gordy imprint.

David Ruffin replaced Al Bryant in Jan 1964 and 'the famous five' went on to start having hits (their first #1 being "My Girl" in Jan 1965) and become international stars.

They've recorded around forty four studio albums and several (approx. four) live albums and multiple compilations and soundtracks.

The group has gone through many line-up changes over the years with only remaining original member being Otis Williams who is now 80. A little anecdote from Wiki (whether it's true or not who knows) but Williams was engaged to Patti LaBelle who ended the engagement after Williams asked her to quit the music business to become a housewife!


Details
Rating: 7.7
Explicit: N
Genre/Style: Classic Soul
Format: Single
Media: Digital
Label:UMG
Cat No: None
Date: 03/12/2021
Key/BPM: 4A/95
Value: £1


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