Melvin franklin died
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Obituaries : Melvin Franklin; Temptations’ Original Bass Vocalist
Melvin Franklin, the original bass singer of the perennially popular Temptations who anchored such hits as “The Way You Do the Things You Do” and “My Girl,” died Thursday. He was 52.
Franklin died of heart failure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, a week after he was admitted following a series of seizures. His condition had been complicated by diabetes.
Born David English on Oct. 12, 1942, in Montgomery, Ala., Franklin fondly remembered getting kicked out of school for singing in the hallways.
He was a 15-year-old street singer in Detroit when he met Otis Williams. The two worked together in the Distants and the Primes, a group recruited by Detroit’s Motown Records founder Berry Gordy in 1960.
Two years later, the group became the Temptations, recording the debut song “Oh Mother, O Mine” on Miracle, a Motown subsidiary label.
The other original members of the quintet were Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams and Eldridge Bryant. Bryant was replaced one year later by David Ruffin.
Franklin and Otis Williams were the
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The Temptations
1999 Inductees
Members:
Melvin Franklin: October 12, 1942 - February 23, 1995
Otis Williams: October 30, 1941
Paul Williams: July 2, 1939 - August 17, 1973
Eddie Kendricks: December 17, 1939 - October 5, 1992
David Ruffin: January 18, 1941 - June 1, 1991
The most successful soul group of the 1960's, the Temptations, is known for intense vocals, tight harmonies, and dynamic rhythms-- all choreographed into an unforgettable stage routine.
The original lineup, Melvin Franklin (Montgomery, Alabama), Otis Williams (Texas), Paul Williams (Birmingham, Alabama), Eddie Kendricks (Birmingham, Alabama), and David Ruffin, joined forces in Detroit after being involved with different music groups for several years. Originally signed to Motown, Berry Gordy Jr. put Smokey Robinson in charge as the Temptations producer in 1964 and the hits started.
Their first hit song "The Way You Do The Things You Do" was R&B chart #11 in April 1964. It was followed by "Why You Wanna Make Me Blue", #26 in October 1964 and "My Girl", #1 in March 1965, which introduced the Temptations
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The Temptations
American rhythm and blues group
For the earlier vocal group of "Barbara" fame, see The Temptations (New York vocal group).
The Temptations is an American vocal group formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1960 as The Elgins, known for their string of successful singles and albums with Motown from the 1960s to the mid-1970s. The group's work with producer Norman Whitfield, beginning with the Top 10 hit single "Cloud Nine" in October 1968, pioneered psychedelic soul, and was significant in the evolution of R&B and soul music.[2] The group members were known for their choreography, distinct harmonies, and dress style. Having sold tens of millions of albums, the Temptations are among the most successful groups in popular music.[3][4][5]
Featuring five male vocalists and dancers (save for brief periods with fewer or more members), the group's founding members came from two rival Detroit vocal groups: Otis Williams, Elbridge "Al" Bryant, and Melvin Franklin of (Otis Williams &) The Distants, and Eddie Kendricks and Paul
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