The Four Tops 1990 - Inducted into RRHoF The group changes in musical tastes & resisted lineup changes Retained the same lineup 1953-97 Performed jazz, doo-wop, soul, R&B, & disco throughout their career Originally signed w/ Chess Records as the Four Aims One of the groups that defined the Motown sound in the mid ‘60s Biggest songs – Baby, I Need Your Loving (#11, 1964) I Can’t Help Myself (#1, 1965) & Reach Out, I’ll Be There (#1, 1966) 1972 -Left Motown when the label moved to LA Signed w/ ABC records; resigned w/ Motown in 1983 1990 - Inducted into RRHoF

The Temptations 1960 - Formed in Detroit MI Most consistently commercially successful & critically acclaimed male vocal group in rock history 13 gold, 6 platinum albums 1964-75 – 19 Top 20 albums; 37 Top 40 singles; 15 Top 10 singles; 4 #1 singles Best known for their sharp choreography & vocal harmonies Considered as important to soul as the Beatles were to rock Despite 4 different lead singers & numerous lineup changes, they always remained popular As of 2000, Otis Williams was the only original member left

Formed from two different groups The Distants & The Primes 1961 lineup – Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, “El” Bryant, Eddie Kendricks, & Paul Williams Released several flops in 1961-62 Known as the “No-Hit” Temptations around Motown Late 1963 – El Bryant is fired after attacking Paul Williams & is quickly replaced by David Ruffin 1964 – started working with Smokey Robinson as writer/producer Began string of hits that ran until the early 1970s

1st hit is The Way You Do the Things You Do (#11, 1965) 1965 – first #1 - My Girl 1966 – numerous Temptations songs make it to #1 on the R&B chart, including Get Ready & Ain’t Too Proud to Beg The Temptations quickly become one of Motown’s flagship groups Ruffin sees himself as the voice of the group & because of the treatment Diana Ross is receiving, thinks the group should become David Ruffin and the Temptations 1968 – David Ruffin is fired for failing to show for a concert, replaced by Dennis Edwards

14 albums to reach #1 on the R&B sales charts 1969-70 – Paul Williams suffering from alcoholism and sickle-cell disease is replaced by Richard Street By 1970 – they are one of only 3 Motown acts to get FM airtime (Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder) 1971 – Eddie Kendricks leaves the group after recording Just My Imagination (#1, 1971) Achivements 4 #1 pop songs, 15 #1 R&B songs 1st Motown artists to win a Grammy Won 3 total Grammy awards 14 albums to reach #1 on the R&B sales charts 1989 – six members of the group inducted to the RRHoF as The Temptations (O. Williams, Franklin, Kendricks, P. Williams, Ruffin & Edwards) Viewed as the classic lineup, plus Edwards 22 total members, Otis Williams the only surviving original member