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Post by Weak4Weeks on Jun 10, 2006 12:49:51 GMT -5
Just wondered on you're opinions on this subject. We know the Tempts had many lineup changes over the years, and I wondered if you thought those changes hurt the Tempts success, or if they actually helped them keep up with the times?
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Post by janebse on Jun 10, 2006 15:14:18 GMT -5
All the lineup changes were made for health, addiction (drug or alcohol), ego (thinking he was the best, unhappy because he wasn't given all the leads, etc), unreliable as to work ethic reasons. Or perhaps shown himself to be unable to work in a team atmosphere. No organization will put up with that.
For example, Smokey Robinson said in print and capital letters no less that David Ruffin was "UNRELIABLE, TOTALLY UNRELIABLE."
Since they had five members, let's compare them to an NBA team. Team members who don't show up for practice, don't share the ball, don't follow the coach's instructions or plays, or are guilty of any of the above problems will soon find themselves traded and sent to Timbuctoo or off the team. No one much bothers with contractual problems. All contracts can be broken.
Many people have their favorite Tempts so they are most likely to think the loss of "that Tempt" has hurt the Temptations. And vice versa.
I don't think the quality of the Temptations has gone down one bit. Styles in music, singing and dancing change; styles in clothes change. Thank goodness jump suits are out. But the quality has always been there. And that is what made the Tempts voted the #1 male vocal group in the world of all time. When they come out, you are going to get a professional performance, a performance that has been achieved by practice and hard work by excellent singers.
Some may say that without _____ they are not the same. But there will also be someone who never did like ______'s voice and think without his voice, they are much better.
Temptations are still doing the same tremendous, excellent, outstanding work. If someone thinks the loss of _________hurts, it is just their opinion of one voice. And as I said, it's very likely a voice someone else never did like.
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jonesesgirl
Full Member
I JUST LOVE THE TEMPTATIONS!!!!!!
Posts: 225
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Post by jonesesgirl on Jun 13, 2006 9:56:03 GMT -5
some helped, some hurt, its all in the way you look at it. :-*i know who did help, ---MR. RON TYSON, when he came aboard he brought new light to the temptations family. i cant imagine the temptations without him
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Post by janebse on Jun 13, 2006 16:58:34 GMT -5
Right, I don't know Ron but I think he is an excellent singer, and my impression is that he is a level headed person, one able to work in a team atmosphere, etc. There are so many elements that go into making a group effective. And to make it even more difficult, to maintain those elements year after year. And I have the impression that Ron has those elements.
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Post by surfacethrills on Jun 14, 2006 15:19:26 GMT -5
I believe that overall, having several line-ups has benefited the Temptations over the long haul. Certainly, I’ve personally appreciated some changes more than others, and I’ve seen my fair share of favorites leave the fold. That being said, I think the changes have, for the most part, reinvigorated the group when they’ve occurred.
For example, the addition of David Ruffin coincided with start of The Tempts first real successful period. Later, Dennis’ voice was perfect for the psychedelic soul period. Ali and Ron also made an impact with their writing as well as their singing. This helped the group become a contemporary force again in a way it hadn’t been for a while.
Another positive is that because there’s been change over the years, the general public’s more accepting of the group today. The counter example I give is The Four Tops. I remember going to see a sold out show back in 2003 featuring The Whispers, O’jays, Tempts and Tops. The Whispers and O’jays were warmly received. This was to be expected since they still have the voices and faces people associate with them. The crowd was also enthusiastic over The Tempts, and to many, there were several new faces. In fact, at the time, GC had only been with the group a couple of months. The audience responded to him as though he’d been in the group forever, and simply enjoyed a great performance.
Now, when the Tops took the stage, the chants of “Where’s Levi” were immediately audible over the music. Theo had been leading the Tops for a couple of years by then, but a lot of people didn’t know this, and were put off by this. So instead of just enjoying a good performance (and it was as Theo was on fire that night) the theater began to empty. By the end of the set, it was less than half capacity. I submit that part of that reaction was due in part because Levi had been the voice/face of The Tops for 40 years, and to many The Tops without Levi was unthinkable. I also submit the same treatment would befall The O’jays without Walter Williams/Eddie Levert or The Whispers without one or both of the twins.
On the other hand, people have come to expect change with the Tempts. In fact, in many ways the changing line-ups have become as much of a part of the tradition for us fans as their songs. At times along the way, the lack of continuity has not been helpful. But now as time begins to rear its ugly head and take from us our musical heroes, we can take comfort in knowing The Temptations will endure, and the quality we’ve come to expect will remain. Fans will still flock to see them and love them because what we want to see is not just one voice or not just one person. We want to be wrapped up in the magic that only 5 talented men named The Temptations can provide.
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Post by janebse on Jun 14, 2006 16:23:49 GMT -5
Beautifully said, surfacethrills, well said, perfectly said. What more can I say?
I was thinking about that very aspect this morning, as I contemplated actually getting out of bed and starting to work. I thought of groups, per se. For example, The N.Y. Philharmonic Orchestra sees changes of musicians, changes in conductors, and yet one always expects a quality orchestra. Each conductor may bring changes in styles but we always get a quality production. The Vienna Boys Choir is the same. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is the same. And probably in each poster's home town there is a church choir which continually does quality work, but yet members and conductors of that choir change.
I particularly like your last sentence. Perfectly said. Remember when Paul Williams referred to the Temptations as The Temptations Organization; well, that is exactly what the five talented men named the Temptations are. An organization producing a harmonic product. Otis and whoever else may be involved in decisions have made the right decisions.
I have also seen that situation when the Tops and Tempts perform together. Even when the Tops go first, and stay on forever it seems to me, the audience is waiting for the Tempts. And then the Tempts do appear, the audience does what they did not do for the Tops, they stand up and clap and cheer for the Tempts arrival and do it throughout the show and wait around, hoping for an encore at the end.
But I think it is more than just that they expect Levi. First, Theo does not do the sort of singing that Levi did. Unfortunately although he has a beautiful voice, he "screams" too much. The word is one I hear from people in the audience. Second, even if Levi were still there I don't think it would work as well. The Tops sing exactly the same way, do exactly the same thing they did 40 years ago. And people get bored. I know some people tell the Temptations that is what they should do, but not me. The Tempts are more universal (crossover if you wish to use that term) in their appeal, appealing to people world wide. Lead the way, I say. When you're the best in the world, lead the way for others to follow. Changing styles in clothes, music, choreography, and personnel is what the Tempts are all about. And, yet not succumbing to the vulgar, to the distasteful, to the shock value of the obscene. They are a class act all the way. There's a big difference between having a #1 hit just because you are appealing to the infantile and have shocked their senses and being #1 in the world because you have maintained quality thoughout the years.
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Post by statone on Mar 15, 2007 16:23:04 GMT -5
I'm a Tempaholic. I love everything Temps. Sometimes those changes hurt especially when you've fallen in love with these guys and your used to seeing them and hearing them and you don't know why they left or was let go. Then sometimes it helps because it gives us a chance to discover a new singer and get used to him and then fall in love with him. Even though they have their own groups I miss Dennis and Richard the most.
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