Search results for the beatles ballads
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2008-12-19 03:27:12 Description: "And I Love Her" is a song recorded by The Beatles and is the fifth track on their third album, A Hard Day's Night. It was released 20 July 1964 with "If I Fell" as a single (More) "And I Love Her" is a song recorded by The Beatles and is the fifth track on their third album, A Hard Day's Night. It was released 20 July 1964 with "If I Fell" as a single by Capitol Records in the United States.This song was one of the first ballads with a title that starts in mid-sentence. Paul McCartney was pleased with himself that he came up with this clever idea.
A majority of this song switches back and forth between the key of E and its relative minor C#m. It also changes keys altogether just before the solo, to F. It ends, oddly, on the parallel major of the key of F's relative minor, D. (Less)
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1035, 02:36, 2008-04-17 15:09:52 Description: The Temptations (often abbreviated as "The Tempts" or "The Temps") are an American Motown singing group whose repertoire has included doo-wop, soul, psychedelia, funk, disco, (More) The Temptations (often abbreviated as "The Tempts" or "The Temps") are an American Motown singing group whose repertoire has included doo-wop, soul, psychedelia, funk, disco, R&B, and adult contemporary. Formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1960 as The Elgins, the Temptations have always featured five African American male vocalists/dancers. The group, known for its recognizable choreography, distinct harmonies, and onstage suits, has been said to be as influential to soul as the Beatles are to rock.[1] Having sold an estimated 22 million albums by 1982,[2] The Temptations are one of the most successful groups in music history[3] and were the definitive male vocal group of the 1960s.[4] In addition, they have the second-longest tenure on Motown (behind Stevie Wonder), as they were with the label for a total of 40 years: 16 years from 1961 to 1977, and 24 more from 1980 to 2004 (from 1977 to 1980, they were signed to Atlantic Records). As of 2007, the Temptations continue to perform and record for Universal Records with only one original member, founder Otis Williams, in its lineup. The original group included members of two local Detroit vocal groups: The Distants, which featured second tenor/baritone Otis Williams, first tenor Elbridge "Al" Bryant and bass Melvin Franklin; and first tenor/falsetto Eddie Kendricks and second tenor/baritone Paul Williams (no relation to Otis) from The Primes. Among the most notable future Temptations were lead singers David Ruffin and Dennis Edwards (both of whom became successful Motown solo artists after leaving the group), Richard Street (another former Distant), Damon Harris, Ron Tyson, Ali-Ollie Woodson, Theo Peoples, and G.C. Cameron. Like its sister female group, the Supremes, the Temptations' lineup has changed frequently over the years. Over the course of their career, the Temptations have released four Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles and 14 Billboard R&B number-one singles. Their material has earned them three Grammy Awards, while two more awards were conferred upon the songwriters and producers who crafted their 1972 hit "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone". History The Primes Childhood friends Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, Kel Osbourne, and Wiley Waller formed a doo-wop group called the Cavaliers in their hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, in 1955.[5] Reduced to a trio after Waller left the group in 1957, Kendricks, Williams, and Osbourne left Birmingham in order to break into the music business. After first moving to Cleveland, they settled in Detroit. The Primes, as the doo-wop trio was now called, were well-known around Detroit for their meticulous performances.[6] Group manager Milton Jenkins even created a sister group for the Primes called the Primettes, recruiting Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson, Diane (later Diana) Ross, and Betty McGlown for the spin-off act.[5] The Distants Otis Williams had moved from his native Texarkana, Texas to Detroit as a young boy, to live with his mother.[7] By 1958, he was the leader of Otis Williams & the Siberians, a doo-wop group that included Williams, his friend Elbridge "Al" Bryant, James "Pee-Wee" Crawford, Vernard Plain, and Arthur Walton.[8] This quintet recorded the single "Pecos Kid" backed with "All of My Life" for a label run by local radio deejay Senator Bristol Bryant.[8] The single never took off outside the local Detroit market, and the Siberians changed their name to The El Domingoes shortly afterward.[5] At this time, more changes took place. Montgomery, Alabama native Melvin Franklin replaced Arthur Walton as the bass singer, and Franklin's cousin Richard Street replaced Vernard Plain as lead singer.[9] The group soon signed with Northern Records, run by Johnnie Mae Matthews, who renamed the group The Distants. The Distants recorded two singles for Northern, "Come On" (1959, featuring additional background vocals by the Andantes), and "Alright" (1960).[9] Between these two releases, Albert "Mooch" Harrell replaced Pee-Wee Crawford.[9] "Come On" was a local hit for the Distants, and the Warwick label picked the record up for national distribution.[9] After the release of "Alright", Matthews appointed Williams the group leader, and the group was renamed Otis Williams & the Distants.[10] [edit] Influences and colleagues The Primes and the Distants were but two of dozens of local male vocal acts, the most famous of which was the Miracles, led by Smokey Robinson. The Miracles were known for their stage show, and their pop success was something for which both groups strived.[11] Other important inspirations included the Cadillacs, Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers, the Drifters, and the Isley Brothers.[12] The various members of The Primes and the Distants who would later become part of the Temptations met a number of their later Motown bandmates, labelmates, and producers during the early part of their careers. Melvin Franklin had been a member of the recording group the Voice Masters, which also included among its ranks Lamont Dozier and David Ruffin.[9] The musicians at the recording session for the Distants' "Come On" included James Jamerson on bass; the Andantes on background vocals; and Norman Whitfield on tambourine.[9] A promotional image of the original early 1960s Temptations lineup. Clockwise from top right: Otis Williams, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin, Eddie Kendricks, and Elbridge "Al" Bryant. [edit] Forming the Temptations Although "Come On" was a local success in the Detroit area, the Distants never saw much of their share from the record sales, and the second single was not as successful. After receiving an offer from Berry Gordy of Motown Records, the group got out of its contract with Matthews and left Northern. At the same time, it lost Mooch Harrell, Richard Street, and the rights to use its name. Street would front a new group of Distants for the local Thelma label during the early 1960s. The Distants were acquainted with the Primes, as both groups made the same rounds to local record hops, talent shows, and concerts. The two groups were friendly rivals. The Primes disbanded in 1960 when Kel Osbourne moved to California, and Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams returned to Alabama. While in Detroit visiting relatives, Kendricks called Otis Williams who, needing two more members for an audition for Gordy, offered Kendricks a place in the Distants. Kendricks agreed, with one condition -- that he could bring Paul Williams with him. Otis Williams agreed, and Kendricks and Paul Williams moved back to Detroit to join the group. The new lineup of Otis Williams, Franklin, Bryant, Kendricks, and Paul Williams took on the name The Elgins and auditioned for Motown in March 1961. Gordy agreed to sign the group to his Miracle Records imprint, but discovered just before signing that there was already a singing group called the Elgins. The quintet quickly began tossing about ideas for a new name on the steps of Motown's Hitsville U.S.A. headquarters. On a suggestion from Miracle Records employee Billy Mitchell and Otis Williams, The Temptations became the group's new moniker. The "Elgins" name would re-surface at Motown in 1965, when Gordy renamed a quartet called The Downbeats as The Elgins. The Temptations released two singles on Miracle, "Oh Mother of Mine" and "Check Yourself", before it was closed and merged with the Gordy label (to avoid confusion with the Miracles singing group). All seven of the Temptations' singles released between 1961 and 1963 failed to make it onto the U.S. pop singles charts; the 1962 single "Dream Come True" made it to number 22 on the R&B chart. Paul Williams and Kendricks split most of the leads during this period, with Bryant, Otis Williams, and Franklin occasionally singing lead. Many songwriter and producer teams had been trying to craft a hit for the Temptations, including Berry Gordy, Mickey Stevenson, Clarence Paul, and Norman Whitfield. Gordy had in fact written the song "Do You Love Me" for The Temptations in 1961, but when he was unable to get ahold of the group, he recorded the song with the Contours instead. Miracles lead singer/songwriter/producer Smokey Robinson produced his first Temptations single, the Paul Williams-led "I Want a Love I Can See", in 1963, and proved to have the best rapport with the group. Elbridge Bryant, who preferred his day job as a milkman to performing, soon became restless and uncooperative. After a performance at the 1963 Motown company Christmas party, Bryant was fired from the group. His replacement was Meridian, Mississippi native David Ruffin, younger brother of Motown artist Jimmy Ruffin. Though both Ruffin brothers were considered, David was given an edge over Jimmy thanks to his performance skills, which David displayed when he joined the Temptations on-stage during a local Detroit performance earlier that year.[13] The "Classic Five" lineup of the Temptations, circa 1965. Left to right: Melvin Franklin, Eddie Kendricks, Otis Williams, Paul Williams, and David Ruffin. The "Classic Five" era In January 1964,Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Bobby Rogers co-wrote and produced "The Way You Do the Things You Do" with Kendricks on lead; the single became the Temptations' first Top 20 hit that April. While traveling as part of Motown's Motortown Revue later that year, Robinson and fellow Miracle Ronnie White wrote a song for the emotive Ruffin to sing lead on, which the group recorded in the fall of 1964. Released as a single on December 24, 1964, "My Girl", became the Temptations' first number-one pop hit in March 1965, and is their signature song to this day. David Ruffin's emergence as lead singer gave way to the Temptations' most successful period, today referred to as the "Classic Five" era, during which Ruffin, Kendricks, Franklin, Otis Williams, and Paul Williams recorded many of the group's most familiar hits. After the success of "My Girl", Ruffin sang lead on the next three Temptations singles: "It's Growing", "Since I Lost My Baby" and "My Baby", all of which made it to the Top 20 in 1965. The b-side to "My Baby", "Dont Look Back", featured a lead from Paul Williams, and was a sleeper hit on the R&B charts. In 1966, Norman Whitfield became the Temptations' new main producer, after his "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" performed better than Robinson's "Get Ready" on the U.S. pop charts. Whitfield began pushing the group away from Robinson's ballad-based production towards a harder-edged and brass-heavy soul sound reminiscent of the work of James Brown. Nearly all of the pre-1968 Whitfield-produced Temptations singles featured David Ruffin on lead vocals, including the R&B number-one/pop Top 10 hits "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep" and "(I Know) I'm Losing You". Other singles from this period included "You're My Everything", on which Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin share lead vocals, and "All I Need", produced by Whitfield's protg Frank Wilson. Whitfield's writing partners during this period included Roger Penzabene, Temptations road show manager/guitarist Cornelius Grant, and Edward Holland, Jr.. After Eddie Holland left Motown with the rest of the Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting/production team in 1967, Barrett Strong (who sang Motown's first hit, 1960's "Money (That's What I Want)") began working with Whitfield and Penzabene on Temptations material. Two of Whitfield/Strong/Penzabene's collaborations, "I Wish It Would Rain" and "I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)", became hits in 1968. Strong became Whitfield's sole collaborator after Penzabene's suicide in December 1967. Exit David Ruffin Between 1964 and 1968, the Temptations went from unknown hopefuls to international stars. The group appeared frequently on television shows such as American Bandstand and The Ed Sullivan Show, and catered to middle America with a pop standards album (The Temptations in a Mellow Mood, 1967) and performances at the Copacabana in New York City and other such supper clubs. Outside of music, the Temptations were made honorary members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Initially laid back and even-keeled, by 1967 David Ruffin felt that he was almost single-handedly responsible for the group's success. He demanded special treatment, riding to and from gigs in a private mink-lined limousine with his then-girlfriend, singer Tammi Terrell (known for her duets with Marvin Gaye), instead of in the group limousine the other four Temptations used. Ruffin missed a number of rehearsals, concerts, and group meetings; and began regularly using cocaine. After seeing how Motown had made Diana Ross the focus of the Supremes by renaming the group Diana Ross & the Supremes, Ruffin demanded that his group be renamed, as well -- to David Ruffin & the Temptations. Additionally, Ruffin was demanding an accounting of the Temptations' earnings, which caused friction between him and Berry Gordy. There was general agreement among the rest of group that Ruffin needed to be replaced. Otis Williams insists that Ruffin was given fair warning that if he did not change his attitude he would be fired. When Ruffin missed a June 1968 engagement at a Cleveland supper club in order to attend a show by his new girlfriend (Dean Martin's daughter Gail), it was decided that he had crossed the line. The other four Temptations drew up legal documentation firing Ruffin from the group, and Dennis Edwards, formerly of the Contours, was hired to replace him. Edwards and Ruffin were good friends, and Ruffin at first went along with the changing of the guard. After a short time, however, Ruffin began turning up at Temptations shows, jumping onstage during performances of the songs he once sang lead on and stealing the spotlight. The audiences were delighted, but the Temptations and Motown were frustrated and embarrassed. Extra security guards were hired to prevent Ruffin from attending other Temptations' performances. Ruffin sued Motown in October 1968, seeking a release from the label, and Motown settled by offering Ruffin a solo recording deal. Beginning in 1968, Berry Gordy commissioned a number of collaborations for the Temptations with Diana Ross & the Supremes. The results included a joint tour, two studio albums (Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations, which featured the number-two hit single "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me", and Together), and two NBC television specials, TCB (aired December 9, 1968) and G.I.T. on Broadway (aired November 12, 1969). The tracks for Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations included Dennis Edwards' first studio recordings with the Temptations. Psychedelic soul Dennis Edwards' addition to the Temptations coincided with producer Norman Whitfield's adoption of a new sound for the group. In the fall of 1968, Whitfield began producing psychedelic-based material for the Temptations, derived primarily from the sound of funk band Sly & the Family Stone. This new style, which debuted with the Top 10 hit single "Cloud Nine" in October 1968, was a marked departure from the David Ruffin-era ballads. The instrumentation was funkier, the beat was hard-driving, and all five Temptations traded lead vocals, similar to Sly & the Family Stone. "Cloud Nine", the centerpiece of the group's landmark Cloud Nine LP, was a Top 10 hit and won Motown its first Grammy Award, for Best R&B Vocal Group Performance of 1969. The blending of the Motown sound and psychedelic rock sound resulted in a new subgenre of music called "psychedelic soul", also evident in the work of Diana Ross and the Supremes ("Reflections", "Love Child"), Marvin Gaye's version of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", and the music of the Fifth Dimension and War. More Temptations psychedelic soul singles would follow in 1969 and 1970, among them "Runaway Child, Running Wild" (a number-one R&B hit), "I Can't Get Next to You" (a number-one pop hit), "Psychedelic Shack" , "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)", and "Ungena Za Ulimwengu (Unite the World)". Exit Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams During the late-1960s, Paul Williams' physical and mental health began to decline sharply. Williams suffered from both depression and sickle-cell disease, and also developed alcoholism, all of which made it hard for him to continue performing. Oxygen tanks were kept in the wings of performance venue stages for Williams, and the other four Temptations made valiant efforts to raid and drain his alcohol stashes. By 1969, former Distant Richard Street, now lead singer of Motown act The Monitors, was touring with the group as a backup replacement for Williams. For most shows, Street would sing Williams' parts (save for his solo numbers) from offstage behind a curtain, while Williams danced and lip-synched onstage. At other shows, and during most of the second half of 1970, Street took Williams' place onstage. As Paul Williams' health failed, Eddie Kendricks became detached from the group. He regularly picked fights with Otis Williams and Melvin Franklin over the group's leadership. In addition, Kendricks was uncomfortable with the psychedelic soul material the group was now performing, preferring the ballad material from the earlier days. Kendricks rekindled his friendship with David Ruffin, who persuaded him to quit the Temptations and go solo. After another confrontation between himself, Otis Williams, and Franklin during a November 1970 Copacabana engagement, Kendricks walked out in-between shows and did not return. Both Franklin and Otis Williams agreed at this time that Kendricks would be leaving the group. Before Kendricks officially left the Temptations, he and Paul Williams recorded the lead vocals for "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)", a lush, wistful ballad that became Kendricks' Temptations swan song. Released as a single in January 1971, "Just My Imagination" began steadily climbing the U.S. pop singles chart. By the time "Just My Imagination" hit number-one in March, Kendricks had negotiated his release from the group and signed a solo deal with Motown's Tamla imprint. Kendricks' original replacement was Ricky Owens, from the Los Angeles-based vocal group the Vibrations. However, Owens gave poorly-received performances during the few shows he performed with the group, and he was dropped after only a few weeks. During most of the spring of 1971, the Temptations remained a quartet, and re-recorded the single "It's Summer" without a fifth member. In April, Paul Williams quit the Temptations, after a medical declaration that he was unable to continue performing. Richard Street officially took his place, while Williams remained on the group's payroll as an advisor and choreographer. After Williams had recovered enough to perform again, Motown made plans for a Paul Williams solo career, but he died at age 34 in Detroit on August 17, 1973. Williams' death was ruled a suicide. The Temptations in the early 1970s By May, The Temptations had found a permanent replacement first tenor in twenty-year-old Baltimore native Damon Harris. Otis Williams, Edwards, Franklin, Street, and Harris continued recording and performing, and Norman Whitfield continued producing hits for them. Among these were Top 40 hits such as "Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are)" (1971), a message from the Temptations to the estranged David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks, and "Take a Look Around" (1972). The fall of 1972 saw the release of Whitfield's magnum opus, "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone". Originally a three-minute record written and produced for the Undisputed Truth, Whitfield took the sombre tune and created a sprawling, dramatic eleven and -minute version for the Temptations. An edited seven-minute version was released as a single in September 1972, hitting number-one on the pop charts and number-five on the R&B charts. In 1973, "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" won the Temptations their second Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Group. Whitfield and arranger/conductor Paul Riser won the award for Best R&B Instrumental Performance with the instrumental version of "Papa" on the single's b-side, and Whitfield and Barrett Strong won the songwriters' Grammy for Best R&B Song. After "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone", Whitfield stopped working with Barrett Strong, and began writing the Temptations' material on his own. The success of "Papa" led Whitfield to create more elongated, operatic pieces, including the Top 40 hit "Masterpiece" (1973) and several of the tracks on the resulting Masterpiece album. Tensions developed between Whitfield and the group, who found Whitfield arrogant and difficult to work with. The group cited his habitual tardiness, his emphasis of the instrumental tracks over the vocals on many of his productions, and the declining singles and albums sales as other sources of conflict. Otis Williams complained about Whitfield's actions and the Temptations' stagnant sales to Berry Gordy, who intervened and reassigned them to Jeffrey Bowen, co-producer of the 1967 In a Mellow Mood album. The final Norman Whitfield-produced Temptations album, 1990, was released in late 1973, and included the Top 30 single "Let Your Hair Down". Whitfield left Motown shortly afterwards, and in 1975 established Whitfield Records, taking with him the Undisputed Truth, Willie Hutch, and Rose Royce, who performed the instrumental track for "Let Your Hair Down". Dry spell Bowen's first LP with the Temptations was January 1975's A Song for You, which included a cover of the titular Leon Russell tune (popularized with soul audiences by Donny Hathaway), along with the pop Top 40/R&B number-one hits "Happy People" (featuring the Commodores as the instrumentalists) and "Shakey Ground" (featuring instrumentation by Funkadelic's Eddie Hazel and Billy Bass Nelson), and "Glasshouse", the group's final Top 40 Pop hit. Damon Harris was fired from the group during the recording of A Song for You, as his behavior and work ethic were deemed unprofessional.[14] His replacement was Washington, D.C. native Glenn Leonard, formerly of the Unifics.[15] A number of producers, including Bowen, Brian Holland, James Carmichael, and even the Temptations themselves tried producing hits for the next three LPs, House Party (November 1975), Wings of Love (March 1976), and The Temptations Do the Temptations (August 1976). None of these recordings were as commercially successful as A Song for You, and none of their singles entered the Billboard Hot 100 Top 40.[16] As time progressed, Bowen pushed Dennis Edwards further to the front. This was evident in on Wings of Love, which features Edwards' voice more prominently than the other Temptations' backing vocals.[17] Otis Williams felt that this was hurting the group, and after The Temptations Do the Temptations was recorded in 1976, Edwards was fired from the group.[18] His replacement was Louis Price. The Temptations left Motown for Atlantic Records, citing Motown's inattention as the reason for their declining sales and popularity.[19] However, the group's releases on Atlantic -- Hear to Tempt You (1977), Bare Back (1978), and their associated singles -- failed to perform better than their last handful of Motown singles, and in 1979 Atlantic released the group from its contract.[17] Shortly afterwards, the Temptations met with Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy, and the group re-signed with Motown in 1980.[20] ] Return to Motown and Reunion Upon the return to Motown, Louis Price departed from the group and joined the Drifters. Dennis Edwards, who had been inactive for the previous three years despite remaining with Motown as a solo act, returned to the lineup. Berry Gordy co-wrote and produced the Temptations' first single under the new contract, "Power", from the album of the same name. "Power" missed the Billboard Hot 100 Top 40, but hit number 11 on the R&B charts. Two years of underperforming singles and albums followed, including an eponymous album with Philadelphia-based producer Thom Bell, until Motown began planning a Temptations reunion tour in 1982. Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin agreed to rejoin the group for the Reunion album and tour. Melvin Franklin's nephew, Motown funk star Rick James (who had previously used the Temptations as backup vocalists on his 1981 hit "Super Freak"), wrote, produced, and guested on the Reunion album's lead single, "Standing on the Top", which featured Ruffin, Kendricks, and Edwards on lead. The single went to number-six on the R&B charts. While the ensuing Reunion tour with all seven Temptations (Ruffin, Kendricks, Otis Williams, Franklin, Edwards, Richard Street, and Glenn Leonard) was financially successful, it ended up being a stressful venture: Kendricks' voice had weakened after decades of chain smoking, and Ruffin, still addicted to drugs, missed a number of the performances. At the conclusion of the Reunion tour, Ruffin and Kendricks were fired, and they began touring and performing together as a duo. One more album, Surface Thrills, was released in 1983. It featured a sharp departure in the group's sound by incorporating elements of then-current rock. Following its release, Glenn Leonard left and was replaced by Ron Tyson. Tyson had been a songwriter at Atlantic during the Temptations' time there, and co-wrote several songs on the album Hear To Tempt You. [edit] From the 1980s to the 1990s By this time, the Temptations' releases were no longer performing well on the pop charts, though they sometimes made the R&B Top 20. "Love on My Mind Tonight", a single from Surface Thrills, made it to number 17. "Sail Away", produced by a returning Norman Whitfield and featuring Ron Tyson's first lead vocal, peaked at number 13. Dennis Edwards was again fired in 1984, this time for missing rehearsals, or showing up hungover. He attempted a second solo career, and his place was taken by Ali-Ollie Woodson, who had been a potential candidate to replace Edwards back in 1977. The album Back to Basics was released; it was the first album featuring Ron Tyson, and featured one track with Woodson, "Stop the World Right Here (I Wanna Get Off)". Woodson's first lead on a single was 1984's "Treat Her Like a Lady", co-written by himself and Otis Williams, and co-produced by Al McKay and Ralph Johnson, formerly of Earth, Wind and Fire. The single became their biggest success on R&B radio in some time, reaching number-two on the R&B charts, and just missing the Pop Top 40. The group experienced similar success the following year with the single "Lady Soul", another Top 5 R&B smash. On July 13th 1985, Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin would achieve "World comeback" recognition for their performances with Pop/Rock superstars Daryl Hall and John Oates(Hall and Oates) in a performance given at the "Live Aid" concert in Philadelphia televised world wide. The segment with Kendricks and Ruffin included a Medley of "Get ready/The way you do the things you do/My Girl. The combination of Hall, Oates, Ruffin and Kendricks went on to perform the resurrected Hall and Oates hit (made popular by the English artist Paul Young), "Every time you go away". This was the exact performance the singing quartet had just recorded live in a sold out performance for the "reopening" of the historic Apollo Theater. The medley recorded on "Live at the Apollo" for RCA, became a top 20 hit on the pop charts. Ollie Woodson remained with the Temptations until 1987, when he was fired and replaced by an again-returning Dennis Edwards. The group recorded one album during Edwards' third tenure, Together Again, released in late 1987. The following year, Otis Williams published his autobiography, Temptations, co-written with Patricia Romanowski, chronicling the careers of the group from the Primes/Distants days to the present, and focusing on the lives of Williams and Melvin Franklin. An updated version of the book was published in 2002. Edwards was fired for the third and final time in late 1989, with Woodson re-joining the lineup. Also that year, the Temptations were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, honoring Edwards, Franklin, Otis Williams, David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks (now performing as "Eddie Kendrick"), and, posthumously, Paul Williams. Most of the Temptations, present and former, showed no ill feelings towards each other, although Otis Williams reported that Kendricks would not speak to him during the ceremony. [21] The Temptations ended their induction with Paul Willaims' signature song, "Don't Look Back", dedicated to his memory. After reuniting at the induction ceremony, Edwards, Ruffin, and Kendrick made plans to tour and record as "Ruffin/Kendrick/Edwards, Former Leads of The Temptations". The tour was carried out, much to the chagrin of Otis Williams and Motown, but production on an album was terminated when Ruffin, age 50, died on June 1, 1991 in Philadelphia after a drug overdose. Kendrick was diagnosed with lung cancer but continued to perform; he died on October 5, 1992 at the age of 52, in his native Birmingham. The Temptations in the 1990s From the 1990s on, the Temptations' lineup began to change more frequently than before. Richard Street missed a performance in 1992 after undergoing emergency surgery to remove kidney stones. Otis Williams was not aware of Street's surgery, and called him, angry about Street's absence. Street felt Williams was unsympathetic, and as a result, he left the group in 1993 after twenty-two years. His replacement was St. Louis native Theo Peoples. Two years later, Melvin Franklin was forced to stop performing because of failing health. He died on February 23, 1995 at the age of 52, after suffering a brain seizure. Ray Davis from Parliament/Funkadelic came on as new bass, and the group recorded the pop standards album For Lovers Only, which contained two tracks led by Melvin Franklin. Davis left shortly after completing the album, due to a throat cancer diagnosis. The group continued as a quartet for a short time, before recruiting bass Harry McGilberry, a former member of The Futures. For Lovers Only would also be the last for lead Ali-Ollie Woodson; he was released from the group in 1996 due to health problems, having suffered two battles with throat cancer. He was replaced by his fill-in from his first health concern, new member Terry Weeks. The new Temptations lineup, consisting of Otis Williams, Ron Tyson, Theo Peoples, and newcomers Harry McGilberry and Terry Weeks, debuted at the halftime show of Super Bowl XXXII, which celebrated the 40th anniversary of Motown. In 1998, The Temptations released Phoenix Rising, their first million-selling album in over twenty years. The album was anchored by the Theo Peoples-led single "Stay", a number-one hit on the adult contemporary charts that featured a sample from The Temptations' "My Girl". During the recording of Phoenix Rising, however, Theo Peoples departed, and was replaced by Barrington "Bo" Henderson. The completed album features both Henderson and Peoples (who later joined the Four Tops) on different tracks. A scene from the 1998 Temptations NBC miniseries. The Temptations mini-series Main entry: The Temptations (miniseries). Nineteen ninety-eight also saw the debut of The Temptations, a four-hour television miniseries based on Otis Williams' Temptations autobiography. It was broadcast in two parts on NBC on November 1 and November 2, 1998. The miniseries was a ratings success and won an Emmy award for Best Direction; it was subsequently rerun on the VH-1 cable television network and released to VHS and DVD. Otis Williams' former wife Josephine, Melvin Franklin's mother Rose Franklin, and David Ruffin's family, jointly filed a lawsuit against Williams, Motown, de Passe Entertainment, Hallmark Entertainment, and NBC for a number of charges, including defamations of character. The judges ruled in favor of the defendants, and the ruling was upheld when the plaintiffs appealed in 2001. Williams later claimed that, although his book was used as the source material for the film, he did not have a great deal of control over how the material was presented. From 2000 to the present day The Temptations were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999. In 2001, their 2000 album Ear-Resistible won the group its third Grammy, this one for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance. Three classic Temptations songs, "My Girl", "Ain't Too Proud to Beg", and "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone", are among The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. Bo Henderson was fired from the group in 2003, prompting a wrongful termination lawsuit [22]. His replacement was former Spinners lead G.C. Cameron. The lineup of Cameron, Otis Williams, Ron Tyson, Harry McGilberry, and Terry Weeks recorded for a short time before Harry McGilberry was dismissed;[23] his replacement was former Spaniels bass Joe Herndon. McGilberry died on April 3, 2006, at age 56. The group's final Motown album, Legacy, was released in 2004. Later that year, The Temptations asked to be released from their Motown contract, and moved to another Universal Motown Records Group label, New Door Records. Their latest album, Reflections, was released on January 31, 2006, and contains covers of several popular Motown songs, including Diana Ross & the Supremes' "Reflections", the Miracles' "Ooo Baby Baby", Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing", and the Jackson 5's "I'll Be There".[24] The Temptations were nominated for the 2007 Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance, for their version of Gaye's "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" from Reflections. G.C. Cameron left the group in June of 2007 to focus on his solo career.[25]. The current lineup is Otis Williams, Ron Tyson, Terry Weeks, Joe Herndon, and new member Bruce Williamson. Splinter groups Several former Temptations continue to perform outside of the group in spin-off or offshoot acts. The most well known splinter was "Ruffin/Kendrick/Edwards: Former Leads of the Temptations", which featured the three former Temptations and three other members (David Sea, who'd been a consideration to replace Edwards in 1984, Nate Evans, a former member of The Impressions, and a female vocalist). Following David Ruffin's death, Dennis Edwards and Eddie Kendrick began touring as "The Temptations", still with David Sea and Nate Evans, and bringing in another former Temptation, Damon Harris. The group had different sixth vocalists at different times, including Charles Blackmon and Curtis Taylor.[26] This prompted a legal battle with Otis Williams. Following Kendrick's death, the group splintered: Dennis formed "Dennis Edwards and the Temptations Review," Damon formed "Damon Harris and the Temptations Review" (featuring future Temptation Joe Herndon), David Sea went on to a solo career[27], and Evans and Taylor formed a Temptations tribute band[28]. Dennis Edwards' group tours to this day. The group has appeared on several PBS music specials. The lineup is Edwards, David Sea (baritone, returning in 1999), Mike Patillo (bass since 1993), Chris Arnold (first tenor/falsetto, joined post-2000)[29], and another former Temptation, Ali-Ollie Woodson. Woodson previously fronted an act called Ali-Ollie Woodson & the Emperors of Soul--Emperors of Soul being the name of the 1994 Temptations boxed set. He replaced Bernard Gibson[30][31] in 2007; Gibson was an original 1993 addition, and was in the group for all of their PBS performances. Damon Harris split from his group in the late 1990s; the other four members then joined with another former Temptation, Glenn Leonard, to become "Glenn Leonard and the Temptations Experience." Joe Herndon left this group to join the Temptations[32] His spot was filled by former Temptations bass Ray Davis, and, following Davis' death on July 5, 2005, Harry McGilberry, another former Temptations bass (McGilberry died on April 3, 2006). Damon Harris would form a new group later, billed as "Damon Harris and the Temptations Tribute." Richard Street also leads a group, billed as "Richard Street" or "Richard Street's Temptations"[33]. Street is in the process of writing a book regarding his time with The Temptations entitled Ball of Confusion. If it is published, it will be the second autobiography regarding the group. [edit] Musical style The Temptations' songs depended upon the individual members' interaction as a group; unlike many other R&B groups, each member of the Temptations was a lead singer of some capacity. Although the group always had an appointed main lead singer who dominated most the lead vocals (from Paul Williams to David Ruffin, Dennis Edwards, and later singers such as Louis Price, Ali-Ollie Woodson, and Terry Weeks), that singer was never given more of a promotional push than the other members. Co-lead songs, with two or more of the singers sharing the lead vocals, are common in the Temptations catalog, particularly among the psychedelic-era recordings of the late 1960s/early 1970s The "Motown Sound" The group would alter their style several times over the years following their first Motown hit, adapting to the popular styles of the day while retaining their signature visual and vocal styles. The earliest Temptations recordings reflect the influence of producers Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson, featuring a blend of black rhythm and blues and white pop music that came to be later identified as the "Motown Sound". Backed by Motown's stalwart studio band, the Funk Brothers, pre-1966 Temptations recordings were built around songs (usually ballads like "My Girl") with simple, direct lyrics supported by an R&B rhythm section with orchestral strings and horns added for pop appeal. During this period, each recording usually featured only one lead singer, usually David Ruffin or Eddie Kendricks, although Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin, and Otis Williams each had solo numbers of their own at various times. Like most Motown groups, melisma and other complicated vocalization techniques were eschewed by the Temptations for a more direct, yet obviously gospel-rooted vocal approach, to make the songs more palpable for white audiences. Creative control remained primarily in Smokey Robinson's hands, although the Temptations, most frequently Eddie Kendricks, periodically co-wrote some of their material. Kendricks also handled the vocal arrangements for all of the Temptations' material. In 1966, Norman Whitfield changed the group's dynamic, moving them away from the previous one lead singer model and adding elements derived from the rougher soul of artists like James Brown, Wilson Pickett, and the performers at Stax Records. Whitfield and his lyricists crafted Temptations songs with shifts of dynamics, syncopated horn stabs, and more intricate harmony arrangements which spotlighted each singer's unique vocal range. Onstage, this change was reflected in the group's use of a custom-made four-headed microphone, which allowed each member freedom to perform without having to all crowd around one or two microphones. Under Whitfield's control, the Temptations retained their white pop appeal, but also gained popularity amongst black audiences as well. Psychedelic and cinematic soul When David Ruffin was replaced by Dennis Edwards, and Sly and the Family Stone became popular, Whitfield again restructured the Temptations' sound, this time driving the group almost completely into a "psychedelic soul" sound. Recordings from this period (such as "Cloud Nine" and "Psychedelic Shack") featured echoed vocal tracks, distorted guitar lines with prominent use of the wah-wah pedal, hard-hitting drums, and various stereo effects and sound effects. The majority of these songs feature at least two lead singers; often, all five Temptations sang lead, trading bars a la the Family Stone. Dennis Edwards, whose vocal style had a rougher, more Southern-soul based sound than David Ruffin's, was featured prominently on most of these recordings. The lyrics for these songs, inspired heavily by Sly Stone's concurrent works, centered primarily around social issues such as integration, the Vietnam War, and self-consciousness. Ballads in the group's traditional style were still being recorded as b-sides and album fillers (the exception being "Just My Imagination"). Many of the psychedelic soul recordings were presented in extended-length mixes longer than the typical three-minute Motown song. Tracks such as the album version of "Run Away Child, Running Wild" from Cloud Nine, "Take a Stroll Thru Your Mind" from Psychedelic Shack, and "Smiling Faces Sometimes" from Sky's the Limit, all run at least eight minutes in length. Much of the running time for each song consists of instrumental passages without vocals, at Whitfield's insistence. The hit version of their smash 1972 single "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" was nearly seven minutes long, with an instrumental intro that was almost two minutes long -- a rarity for songs of that era. "Psychedelic soul" soon gave way to "cinematic soul": Long recordings with detailed orchestration and extended instrumental introductions and bridging passages, oten focusing on lyrics about the ghettos and inner cities of black America. These songs were heavily influenced by the work of singer/songwriters Isaac Hayes and Curtis Mayfield. Unlike Hayes and Mayfield, the Temptations had no creative control over their recordings, and were not fond of the twelve and thirteen-minute long songs that Norman Whitfield was now producing for them. Whitfield's contributions were the focal point of Temptations albums such as Solid Rock, All Directions, and particularly Masterpiec. From funk to disco to adult contemporary After Whitfield was dismissed as the Temptations' producer in 1974, the group altered its sound to accommodate a balance of both up-tempo dance material and ballads. The vocal arrangements began to again focus primarily on one lead singer per track, although leads were still being periodically shared. In addition, the Temptations themselves, after fighting Motown and Berry Gordy for creative control, began to write and produce some of their material. From this point on, the Temptations focused almost exclusively on songs about romance; songs about social issues similar to the Whitfield-era recordings were periodically recorded as well. Mid-1970s Temptations recordings focused significantly on funk music influences from artists such as Parliament Funkadelic and Sly and the Family Stone; members of both acts contributed to Temptations material during this period. The group's ballads, reduced to filler material during much of the Whifield period, were restored to the lush sound of the earlier Smokey Robinson-produced hits. After a brief diversion into disco in the late-1970s, the Temptations settled into an adult contemporary-rooted form of R&B, a style in which they continue to record. As the ages of its members increased, the Temptations' live shows have focused on less intricate choreography, although dancing remains an important aspect of the group's act. Legacy and influence The Temptations, with their tailored suits and detailed choreography, set the bar for male soul and R&B groups. Before the Temptations became popular, most black vocal groups were rough, high-energy acts with rawer vocals and more improvisational dance movements. Only a few performers, including contemporaries Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, and the Four Tops, showed the refined style that would be popularized by the Temptations. Berry Gordy insisted his acts be equally appealing to white and black audiences, and employed a creative team to help tailor Motown talent for crossover success. Paul Williams and Motown choreographer Cholly Atkins created the Temptation's trademark precise and energetic, yet refined, dance steps. The most famous of these, the "Temptation Walk", or "Temptation Strut", was adapted from similar moves by the Flamingoes and the Vibrations. From those two sources, Paul Williams crafted the group's signature dance routine. During the 1960s and 1970s, a number of soul groups showed significant influence from the Temptations, among them the Delfonics, the Stylistics, George Clinton's original Parliaments, the Dramatics, and Motown labelmates the Jackson Five. These acts, and others, showed the influence of the Temptations in both their vocal performances and their onstage choreography. Several more recent soul and R&B vocal groups, including the Johnny Gill-led version of New Edition, Jodeci, BLACKstreet, Dru Hill, and, most notably, 1990s Motown act Boyz II Men, also showed significant influence from the Temptations. Temptations songs have been covered by scores of musicians, from R&B singers such as Luther Vandross ("Since I Lost My Baby"), to pop vocalists such as Bette Midler ("Just My Imagination"), to rock bands such as Rare Earth ("Get Ready"), Duran Duran ("Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)") and the Rolling Stones ("Ain't Too Proud to Beg"). In 1991, British singer Rod Stewart collaborated with the Temptations on the single "The Motown Song". The lives and careers of The Temptations were one of several inspirations for Robert Townsend's 1991 film about a 1960s Motown-esque male group, The Five Heartbeats. In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked The Temptations #67 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.[34] (Less)
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13, 01:21, 2007-07-12 08:32:37 Description: Alessandro Sorbello http://www.alessandrosorbello.com speaks with Jaider. Brazilian Born guitar virtuoso, Jaider discusses some of his early influences
Till There Was You
This article is about (More) Alessandro Sorbello http://www.alessandrosorbello.com speaks with Jaider. Brazilian Born guitar virtuoso, Jaider discusses some of his early influences
Till There Was You
This article is about the song. For the 1990 movie, see Till There Was You (1990 film).
"Till There Was You" is a song written by Meredith Willson for his 1957 musical play The Music Man, and which also appeared in the 1962 movie version. The song is sung by librarian Marian Paroo (Barbara Cook on Broadway, Shirley Jones in the film) to Professor Harold Hill (portrayed by Robert Preston) toward the end of Act Two.
In 1959, Anita Bryant recorded a single which reached #30 on the Billboard Hot 100; a 1962 instrumental version by Valjean was also popular.
The Beatles' version
"Till There Was You"
Song by The Beatles
Album With the Beatles
Released 22 November 1963
Recorded Abbey Road Studios:
18 and 30 July 1963
Genre Rock and roll
Length 2:16
Label Parlophone
Writer Meredith Wilson
Producer George Martin
Music sample
"Till There Was You" Problems?
With the Beatles track listing
Side one
"It Won't Be Long"
"All I've Got to Do"
"All My Loving"
"Don't Bother Me"
"Little Child"
"Till There Was You"
"Please Mister Postman"
Side two
"Roll Over Beethoven"
"Hold Me Tight"
"You Really Got a Hold on Me"
"I Wanna Be Your Man"
"Devil in Her Heart"
"Not a Second Time"
"Money (That's What I Want)"
The Beatles' version was included on their albums With the Beatles (UK Release, 1963), Meet the Beatles (US Release, 1964). The song was the only Broadway tune the Beatles ever recorded.
"Till There Was You" was a minor hit in the UK for Peggy Lee in March 1961. Paul McCartney was introduced to her music by his older cousin, Bett Robbins, who would occasionally baby-sit the two McCartney brothers.[1] McCartney said: "I had no idea until much later that it was from The Music Man."[2] "Till There Was You" was part of the Beatles repertoire in 1962 and performed at the Star Club in Hamburg.[3] It became illustrative of the Beatles versatility, proving they could appeal to all sections of an audience, moving easily from ballads to rock and roll, as in their live 1963 Royal Command Performance when they followed this song with "Twist and Shout".
The Beatles had previously performed "Till There Was You" as part of their failed audition for Decca Records in London on January 1st, 1962,[3] and it was the second of six the group sang during their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show on February 9th, 1964.[4]
Live versions of the song were released on Live at the BBC (1994) and Anthology 1 (1995). The latter version was recorded when the Beatles played at the Royal Command (Variety) Performance in November 1963.
There were bells on a hill
But I never heard them ringing
No I never heard them at all
'Til there was you
There were birds in the sky
But I never saw them winging
No I never saw them at all
'Til there was you
Then there was music and wonderful roses
They tell me in sweet fragrant meadows of dawn and you
There was love all around
But I never heard it singing
No I never heard it at all
'Til there was you
Then there was music and wonderful roses
They tell me in sweet fragrant meadows of dawn and you
There was love all around
But I never heard it singing
No I never heard it at all
'Til there was you
'Til there was you (Less)
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25, 09:53, 2007-10-01 08:02:58 Description: ► DOWNLOAD: http://SamTUNES.net
► Buy CD at http://SamHarris.com
► http://SamTUBE.com
ALWAYS
"Always" represents the more sensitive, softer side of Sam Harris. His (More) ► DOWNLOAD: http://SamTUNES.net
► Buy CD at http://SamHarris.com
► http://SamTUBE.com
ALWAYS
"Always" represents the more sensitive, softer side of Sam Harris. His raise-the-rafters style that has been his trademark has been put aside, evoking a romantic collection of the most notable easy listening classics, adult contemporary pop standards.
"Always" touches on the musical theater that has become his trademark (Stephen Sondheim's "Not While I'm Around") and classic standards ("Our Love Is Here to Stay," "My Funny Valentine"), but concentrates on pop ballads of the '70s and '80s, including "Longer," "You Are the Sunshine of My Life," "The Wind Beneath My Wings," "If," and "The Rose," subtly accompanied by piano, keyboards, and guitar. Mellow fare, to be sure, but he also opens up his powerful voice with the soaring "Somewhere Out There." Harris fans will still want "Standard Time Different Stages" for their Broadway slant and the gospel-focused "Revival" to rock the house, but "Always" is simply beautiful stuff.
* OUR LOVE IS HERE TO STAY
Ira and George Gershwin
* LONGER
Dan Fogelberg
- sung by David Archuleta on American Idol
* GET HERE
Oleta Adams, Brenda Russell
* FIRST TIME EVERY I SAW YOUR FACE
Roberta Flack, Gordon Lightfoot
- sung by David Cook on American Idol
* YOU ARE THE SUNSHINE OF MY LIFE
Stevie Wonder
* TIME AFTER TIME
Cyndi Lauper
* ALL I NEED TO KNOW (DON'T KNOW MUCH)
Linda Ronstadt, Aaron Neville
* TRUE LOVE
Cole Porter
* WIND BENEATH MY WINGS
Bette Midle
* YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL TO ME
Joe Cocker
* YOU'VE GOT A FRIEND
Carole King, James Taylor
* IF
Bread
* SOMEWHERE OUT THERE
Linda Ronstadt
* LOVE ME TENDER / ALWAYS
Elvis Presley, Irving Berlin, Frank Sinatra
* IN MY LIFE
The Beatles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney
* MY FUNNY VALENTINE
Rodgers and Hart, Babes in Arms
* THE ROSE
Bette Midler
* NOT WHILE I'M AROUND
Sweeney Todd, Stephen Sondheim
* A SONG FOR YOU
Ray Charles, Leon Russell, Willie Nelson
---
► http://SamVLOG.com
... behind the scenes in the everyday life of Sam.
► http://SamHarris.TV
... archive of Sam's performances and appearances.
► http://AskSamHarris.com
... ask Sam anything, and he'll reply via a vlog.
► http://SamHarris.com/answers
... answer link from the "Ask Sam Harris" series.
► http://MySpace.com/SamHarrisMusic
... keep up to date, and be Sam's MySpace friend!
► http://SamTUNES.net
... to download Sam Harris songs and full albums.
► http://SamHarris.com
... information, biography, discography and buy cds.
LEGAL & BUSINESS CONTACT:
http://SamHarris.com/contact.htm
© All videos property of Sam Harris
--- (Less)
Channel: youtubeTags: actor always archuleta beatles bette carole cook cyndi dan david fogelberg harris king lauper longer midler sam singer
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5, 07:45, 2008-11-16 20:05:00 Description: This is a music video I produced, please share it with your friends.
This is animated/live action music video tells the story of a mother longing for the love of her daughter. The Teddy Bear is a (More) This is a music video I produced, please share it with your friends.
This is animated/live action music video tells the story of a mother longing for the love of her daughter. The Teddy Bear is a reminder of joy they used to share.
The video features my animations and the intro with me playing the Wurlitzer, was filmed at the beautiful Akron Civic Theater. Truly my masterpiece (Less)
Channel: metacafeTags: Teddy Bear Animation Music Video Wurlitzer Beatles Sad Love Cute Funny Pop Country Frogs Fender Epiphone Guitars 70's 80's 90's Studio Redheads Mouse Sweet Akron Civic Theater John Lennon Classic Rock Ballads Hammond B3 Akron Ohio Pizza & Pipes
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2, 02:28, 2009-09-06 01:05:39 Description: Roy Kelton Orbison (Vernon (Texas), 23 april 1936 Nashville (Tennessee), 6 december 1988) was een Amerikaanse country- en rockzanger. Hij staat sinds 1987 in de Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, en sinds (More) Roy Kelton Orbison (Vernon (Texas), 23 april 1936 Nashville (Tennessee), 6 december 1988) was een Amerikaanse country- en rockzanger. Hij staat sinds 1987 in de Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, en sinds 1989 in de Songwriters Hall of Fame. Roy Orbison begon zijn carrire in 1956 bij het platenlabel Sun Records dat geleid werd door Sam Phillips en waar ook Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis en Carl Perkins onder contract stonden of hadden gestaan. Met het nummer "Ooby Dooby" waarvan er zo'n 500.000 stuks van werden verkocht en dat tot nummer 56 op de Billboard Top 100 kwam, scoorde hij zijn enige hit voor Sun. In de periode dat hij voor het platenlabel actief was, wist hij al dat zijn hart bij het zingen van ballads lag. Sam Phillips, de eigenaar van Sun Records, wilde echter dat Roy uptempo songs opnam, dit zeer tegen de zin van Roy. Toen Roy een grote hit schreef voor The Everly Brothers ("Claudette") zag hij zijn kans schoon en kocht zijn platencontract bij Sun Records af om zodoende ergens anders zijn geluk te kunnen beproeven. Orbison kwam terecht bij het platenlabel R.C.A. waar Elvis Presley vele hits opnam. Roy bleef echter niet lang. Na een aantal nummers op plaat te hebben gezet verliet hij in 1959 het label en kwam terecht bij Monument Records dat onder leiding stond van Fred Foster. [bewerken] Doorbraak De eerste single "Up Town" was een bescheiden succes en bereikte plaats 72 in de Billboard Top 100. De opvolger werd uitgebracht in 1960 en maakte van Roy Orbison een wereldster. Van het nummer "Only The Lonely" gingen er ruim twee miljoen exemplaren over de toonbank en met dit nummer creerde Orbison iets dat nog nooit eerder in de Rock-'n-Roll was gehoord; de dramatische rockballad. Tussen 1960 en 1965 produceerde Roy tijdloze klassiekers als "Running Scared", "Crying", "Blue Angel", "Falling", "Blue Bayou", "It's Over", "In Dreams" en "Oh, Pretty Woman". Al deze songs waren van uitzonderlijke artistieke en muzikale kwaliteit en waren stuk voor stuk meesterwerkjes. Vaak rustig beginnend, bouwde Roy langzaam naar een climax toe die zowel in de arrangementen, de stem en teksten van Orbison tot uitdruking werd gebracht. De unieke stem van Roy en de tijdloze composities van zijn songs zouden hem de status van legende bezorgen. Er was echter nog een element dat de muziek van Orbison zo uniek maakte. Roy had namelijk ook het talent om liedjes op een totaal vernieuwende manier te schrijven. Het was in de beginjaren zestig de gewoonte om een song volgens een vast patroon te schrijven. (A,B,C,B,D,B) Roy schreef echter bijvoorbeeld in schema's als A,B,C,D...Z. Er kwam in het hele liedje dus geen enkele herhaling van zinnen voor. "In Dreams" en "Falling" uit 1963 zijn daar goede voorbeelden van, maar ook "Running Scared" uit 1961 was song die totaal afweek van wat gewoon was op songwriting gebied omdat het refrein aan het einde van het lied zat i.p.v. in het midden. Toen het contract bij Monument Records in 1965 afliep was Roy Orbison een wereldster met platenverkopen die de 30 miljoen hadden overschreden. Roy tekende voor het M.G.M. label dat bereid was om hem het tot dan hoogste bedrag ooit (1 miljoen dollar contant) voor een platenartiest te betalen. Verder kreeg Roy de kans om in films te acteren. M.G.M. had echter wel bedongen dat er per jaar 30 songs en 1 album geproduceerd moest worden. Daarmee kwam de nadruk te liggen op de kwantiteit in plaats van op de kwaliteit van de songs, dit in tegenstelling tot wat bij Monument Records gebruikelijk was. De eerste single op het M.G.M. label was de top 20 hit "Ride Away". Het zou zijn grootste hit voor M.G.M. zijn. In 1966 had hij met "Cry Softly Lonely One" (top 52) zijn laatste hitnotering in Amerika. In Engeland had hij meer hits met als hoogste notering "Too Soon To Know" dat in 1966 de top 3 haalde. "Penny Arcade" was in 1969 zijn laatste notering in Engeland. Het opkomen van de Beatles en andere Britse bands (The British Invasion) en de daarmee veranderende smaak bij het platenkopend publiek, zorgde ervoor dat de aanwezigheid van Roy in de hitlijsten minder werd. Verder vonden er grote tragedies in zijn privleven plaats. Zijn vrouw Claudette kwam in 1966 om het leven bij een motorongeluk en twee van zijn drie zoons vonden in 1968 de dood bij een brand in zijn landhuis. De carrire van Roy kwam in een diep dal terecht. De hits bleven uit en het (grote) publiek leek hem vergeten te zijn. Zijn concerten in Engeland werden nog wel goed bezocht omdat de fans hem trouw waren gebleven, maar in zijn thuisland Amerika was dat volkomen anders. Daar trad hij met regelmaat op voor een klein publiek. In 1973 werd zijn contract bij M.G.M. ontbonden. Een jaar later tekende Roy bij Mercury Records en nam daar het album "I'm Still In Love With You" op. Niet alleen was dit album onder de artistieke maat vergeleken bij zijn vroegere Monument werk, muzikaal gezien verraste Roy de luisteraar niet meer met de vocale hoogstandjes die hem zijn bijnaam "The Big O" hadden opgeleverd. In 1977 tekende Roy opnieuw bij Monument Records en nam het album "Regeneration" op. Dit album was beter dan het voorgaande maar kon ook niet de vergelijking doorstaan met zijn vroegere werk. Een tweede album was af (nooit uitgebracht) toen Roy hartklachen kreeg nadat hij had opgetreden in een show ter nagedachtenis aan Elvis Presley, die kort daarvoor was overleden. Roy onderging een hartoperatie en kreeg 3 by-passes. Kort daarna verliet Orbison Monument Records. In 1979 tekende hij bij Aslyum Records en bracht daar het album "Laminar Flow" uit. Het album bevatte matige disco-achtige liedjes met uitzondering van "Poor Baby" en "Hounddog Man". Ondertussen was er achter schermen iets op gang gekomen, want Roy was dan wel niet meer een succesvol platenartiest, de grootsheid van zijn zestiger jaren werk had echter wel zijn sporen nagelaten bij jongere collega's. Linda Rondstadt nam "Blue Bayou" op (1977), Don McClean "Crying" (1980) en Van Halen "Oh Pretty Woman" (1981) en allen scoorden zij daarmee grote hits. Zelf scoorde Roy samen met Emmylou Harris in 1980 eindelijk weer een hit met "That Loving You Feeling Again". Het werd beloond met een Grammy Award, zijn eerste. [bewerken] Comeback Vanaf die tijd begon Roy aan een comeback te werken en kwam hij meer en meer in de spotlights te staan. Zo stond hij in het begin van de jaren tachtig in het voorprogramma van "The Eagles" en liet zich daardoor aan een groter en jonger publiek zien. In 1983 verscheen hij op televisie door een concert te geven onder de naam "Roy Orbison live in Austin City Limits Texas" In 1985 trad hij op bij "Farm Aid" en bracht hij een nieuwe single uit "Wild Hearts". Het was een ballad die een ouderwets goede Orbison liet horen. Helaas merkte het grote publiek deze prachtige song niet op. Ook maakte hij dat jaar een album met zijn oude Sun maatjes Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins en Johnny Cash. Het album heette "The Class off '55". In 1986 werd het nummer "In Dreams" gebruikt in de cult movie "Blue Velvet", geregisseerd door David Lynch. Hierdoor kwam Roy onder de aandacht van een jong en hip publiek. Velen van hen wilden weten wie de zanger van "In Dreams" was en ontdekte daardoor de prachtige muziek die Orbison tot dan gemaakt had. In 1987 nam Roy samen met KD Lang "Crying" opnieuw op als een duet. Het nummer werd in Amerika een hit en het leverde hem opnieuw een Grammy Award op. In hetzelfde jaar werd hij opgenomen in de Rock and Roll Hall of Fame dat een jaar eerder in het leven was geroepen. Daarmee werd de status van Roy Orbison als belangrijke pionier en vernieuwer van de Rock-'n-Roll officieel bevestigd en erkend door de muziekindustrie. In datzelfde jaar nam hij een televisiespecial op waarvan de zwart-wit video Roy Orbison and Friends, A Black and White Night uitkwam. In deze show bracht Roy al zijn grote hits, inclusief twee nummers van zijn dan nog nieuw uit te komen album, ten gehore. Roy werd omringd door gastmuziekanten als Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Bonnie Rait, Tom Waits, Jennifer Warnes, KD Lang, Jackson Browne, J.D. Souther en James Burton (ex-gitarist van Elvis Presley). Roy was eindelijk terug aan de top en maakte dat nog eens duidelijk door in 1988 deel uit te maken van de supergroep The Traveling Wilburys waarvan Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne en Tom Petty ook deel uitmaakten. Het debuut album heette Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1, waarvan wereldwijd miljoenen exemplaren verkocht werden. Op het moment dat de single "Handle With Care" van het laatst genoemde album en het album zelf hoog in de hitlijsten stonden en de voorbereidingen voor het uitbrengen van Orbisons solo album "Mystery Girl" en de daarbij behorende wereldtoernee in volle gang waren, overleed Orbison op 6 december 1988 plotseling aan een hartstilstand bij zijn moeder thuis in Hendersonville, een voorstadje van Nashville Zijn nieuwe album werd in januari 1989 postuum uitgebracht onder het Virgin label. De single "You Got It'" werd een wereldwijde hit. De enige keer dat Orbison You Got It voor een publiek zong was drie weken voor z'n dood op het Diamond Awards Festival in het Sportpaleis in Antwerpen alwaar hij een "Diamond Award" kreeg omdat hij 25 jaar tot de "top off the bill" behoorde. De opnames van dat optreden werden gebruikt voor de videoclip van "You Got It". De tweede single "She's A Mystery Girl" werd ook een hit. In 1992, vier jaar na zijn dood, werd het nummer "I drove All Night" een hit in Engeland en bereikte daar de 7e plaats. De opvolger Crying (duet met KD lang) haalde in datzelfde jaar de 13e positie. Roy Orbison was, in tegenstelling tot veel van zijn tijdgenoten, helemaal terug aan de top toen hij stierf en keek vooruit naar nieuwe dingen en niet terug op oude vergane glorie. Vandaag de dag wordt hij door velen in de muziekbusiness erkend als een van de allergrootste artiesten die de Rock-'n-Roll heeft voortgebracht. Zijn platen blijven goed verkopen en zijn in aantal de 100 miljoen ruim gepasseerd. Hij is een voorbeeld en inspiratie voor vele artiesten en dat voor iemand waartegen producer Jack Clement (Sun Records) ooit zei; "Roy, you never gonna make it as a balladsinger" (Less)
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96, 02:34, 2008-04-17 15:09:51 Description: P. J. Proby (born James Marcus Smith, 6 November 1938, Houston, Texas) is a singer, songwriter, and actor noted for his theatrical portrayals of Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison, plus interpretations of (More) P. J. Proby (born James Marcus Smith, 6 November 1938, Houston, Texas) is a singer, songwriter, and actor noted for his theatrical portrayals of Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison, plus interpretations of old standards in the vein of Billy Eckstine, Nat King Cole and Tony Bennett. The stage name P. J. Proby was suggested to him by a friend named Sharon Sheeley [1] who remembered an old high school boyfrien Youth and early career Proby grew up in a banking family where his father was the VP of the Second National Bank in Houston Texas. He was educated at San Marcos Military academy, Culver Naval Academy and Western Military academy, where, upon graduation he moved to California to become a motion picture actor and recording artist.Given the stage name Jett Powers by top Hollywood agents Gabey, Lutz, Heller and Loeb, [2], he took acting and singing lessons, and appeared in movies with small roles. Two singles "Go, Girl, Go", and "Loud Perfume", were released on an independent label, but were not noticed. In 1962 he began writing songs and recording demos, for artists such as Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. Proby was taken by songwriter Sharon Sheeley (who penned 'Poor Little Fool' for Ricky Nelson, and was engaged to Eddie Cochran) to audition at Liberty Records. He travelled to London after being introduced to Jack Good by Sheeley and Jackie DeShannon. Soon, Proby created his fashion image of a pony-tail tied back with a ribbon, swashbuckling pirate shirts, and buckle shoes. In addition to this, he wore skin-tight suits made of velvet in different colours for each day of the week. Appearing on The Beatles' television special in 1964, he received great media interest with this fashion styling. Under the production of Good, Proby's balladeer style and theatrical presentation scored a string of hits in 1964 with "Hold Me" and "Together" (featuring session guitarists Big Jim Sullivan and Jimmy Page), "Somewhere", "Maria", and "I Apologise". A royalty dispute with Liberty Records in 1966, broke his run of success in the UK Singles Chart. His career was also affected by controversies. His skin-tight trousers split open during a concert in England. The women in the audience went wild. Somehow, the trousers split again at the next venue. Critics, and the audience, were divided on whether he was using a gimmick to promote his image, or simply an eccentric rock star. During a concert with Cilla Black in 1967 they split again, and PJ was dropped from the rest of the tour by theatre managers. [edit] Back in the USA In 1967 Proby scored a world-wide Billboard Top 30 hit "Niki Hoeky". He was then auditioned for the[London? [citation needed]] production of Finian's Rainbow, but did not get the role and to this day has never been told why. Poor managerial advice led to Proby briefly declaring bankruptcy. He returned to the United States to rest. In September 1968, Proby recorded the album Three Week Hero, which was released in 1969. A collection of country-style ballads mixed with blues, the album is notable more for its association with the new Yardbirds, his backing band, who would later become Led Zeppelin. [edit] Success on the London stage In 1971 he appeared on stage as Casio in a rock musical version of Shakespeare's Othello, called Catch My Soul [3]. The play enjoyed a successful run in London's West End. After Catch My Soul, he continued to perform mostly in cabarets and nightclubs, singing 1960s ballads and rhythm 'n' blues material. Signing with Good again in 1977, he portrayed Elvis Presley in a theatrical production of Elvis - The Musical, which received rave reviews, winning a Best Musical of the Year award. In 1978, Proby recorded with the Dutch rock group Focus releasing Focus con Proby. He then returned to singing in clubs, before embarking on a change of direction. In 1993 Proby appeared in the Jack Good biographical musical "Good Rockin' Tonite"- as himself. Two years later in 1995, Proby appeared in the Roy Orbison tribute show "Only the Lonely". By 1996 Proby was acting again in "Elvis - The Musical". [edit] Eighties nadir His career followed a similar path trod by Tom Jones in the 1980s, who began to cover contemporary songs. Proby began with a version of Joy Division's epic "Love Will Tear Us Apart", followed with Gloria Jones's "Tainted Love", and then, less advisedly, The Sex Pistols' "Anarchy in the UK". He did enjoy minor success but, unlike Jones, was largely neglected by the media. In 1989, the Southport based author/songwriter Ron Ellis recorded Proby singing one of his compositions, "Hot California Nights", and released the recording as a CD single on Da Doo Ron Ron Records. It is now a rare and highly collectible [citation needed] CD. [edit] Rise of the legend By 1990 P. J. Proby was living in Bolton, Lancashire and suffering from alcoholism. He was offered a recording deal with the Preston based, J'Ace Records, and this led to the release of a single "Stage of Fools", and an album entitled, Thanks. It was distributed internationally by BMG and it brought Proby back into the record shops, for the first time since he left Liberty Records almost twenty years before. Granada TV featured Proby in a documentary and BBC TV featured Proby, on their flagship current affairs programme This Week. Following his return to the public eye, in 1991, Proby suffered a heart attack whilst on holiday in Florida in 1992 which curtailed his activities until 1993. Then he reappeared on stage in the biographical musical of Jack Good's life called Good Rockin Tonight, followed by playing himself in the Roy Orbison story called Only the Lonely. A year later Proby returned to a new production of Elvis, and released the critically acclaimed album Legend [4]. The album featured songwriting and production contributions from Marc Almond, and Neal X from Sigue Sigue Sputnik. A resulting single, "Yesterday Has Gone", a duet with Almond, reached Number 58 on the UK chart at the end of 1996. In 1997, Proby toured with The Who in America and in Europe, performing as "The Godfather" [5] in the road production of Quadrophenia [6]. After Quadrophenia, Proby continued singing by doing performances in UK, Sweden [7], Denmark [8] and Germany[9]. In addition, he had been touring in "Sixties Gold" [10], another revival series of shows, for some years. In August 2004, he also toured successfully in Australia. From the 26 February until 7 May 2006, Proby was touring with the "Solid Silver Sixties Show 2006" [11]" throughout much of the UK - ended at The London Palladium.[12] Following this in 2006 Proby toured the UK in the 'Ring of Fire..Johnny Cash Show' giving a performance that received standing ovations.[citation needed] In 2002, Van Morrison recorded a song for his album, Down the Road, entitled "Whatever Happened to P.J. Proby?" (Less)
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340, 03:11, 2008-04-17 15:10:22 Description: The Temptations (often abbreviated as "The Tempts" or "The Temps") are an American Motown singing group whose repertoire has included doo-wop, soul, psychedelia, funk, disco, (More) The Temptations (often abbreviated as "The Tempts" or "The Temps") are an American Motown singing group whose repertoire has included doo-wop, soul, psychedelia, funk, disco, R&B, and adult contemporary. Formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1960 as The Elgins, the Temptations have always featured five African American male vocalists/dancers. The group, known for its recognizable choreography, distinct harmonies, and onstage suits, has been said to be as influential to soul as the Beatles are to rock.[1] Having sold an estimated 22 million albums by 1982,[2] The Temptations are one of the most successful groups in music history[3] and were the definitive male vocal group of the 1960s.[4] In addition, they have the second-longest tenure on Motown (behind Stevie Wonder), as they were with the label for a total of 40 years: 16 years from 1961 to 1977, and 24 more from 1980 to 2004 (from 1977 to 1980, they were signed to Atlantic Records). As of 2007, the Temptations continue to perform and record for Universal Records with only one original member, founder Otis Williams, in its lineup. The original group included members of two local Detroit vocal groups: The Distants, which featured second tenor/baritone Otis Williams, first tenor Elbridge "Al" Bryant and bass Melvin Franklin; and first tenor/falsetto Eddie Kendricks and second tenor/baritone Paul Williams (no relation to Otis) from The Primes. Among the most notable future Temptations were lead singers David Ruffin and Dennis Edwards (both of whom became successful Motown solo artists after leaving the group), Richard Street (another former Distant), Damon Harris, Ron Tyson, Ali-Ollie Woodson, Theo Peoples, and G.C. Cameron. Like its sister female group, the Supremes, the Temptations' lineup has changed frequently over the years. Over the course of their career, the Temptations have released four Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles and 14 Billboard R&B number-one singles. Their material has earned them three Grammy Awards, while two more awards were conferred upon the songwriters and producers who crafted their 1972 hit "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone". History The Primes Childhood friends Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, Kel Osbourne, and Wiley Waller formed a doo-wop group called the Cavaliers in their hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, in 1955.[5] Reduced to a trio after Waller left the group in 1957, Kendricks, Williams, and Osbourne left Birmingham in order to break into the music business. After first moving to Cleveland, they settled in Detroit. The Primes, as the doo-wop trio was now called, were well-known around Detroit for their meticulous performances.[6] Group manager Milton Jenkins even created a sister group for the Primes called the Primettes, recruiting Florence Ballard, Mary Wilson, Diane (later Diana) Ross, and Betty McGlown for the spin-off act.[5] The Distants Otis Williams had moved from his native Texarkana, Texas to Detroit as a young boy, to live with his mother.[7] By 1958, he was the leader of Otis Williams & the Siberians, a doo-wop group that included Williams, his friend Elbridge "Al" Bryant, James "Pee-Wee" Crawford, Vernard Plain, and Arthur Walton.[8] This quintet recorded the single "Pecos Kid" backed with "All of My Life" for a label run by local radio deejay Senator Bristol Bryant.[8] The single never took off outside the local Detroit market, and the Siberians changed their name to The El Domingoes shortly afterward.[5] At this time, more changes took place. Montgomery, Alabama native Melvin Franklin replaced Arthur Walton as the bass singer, and Franklin's cousin Richard Street replaced Vernard Plain as lead singer.[9] The group soon signed with Northern Records, run by Johnnie Mae Matthews, who renamed the group The Distants. The Distants recorded two singles for Northern, "Come On" (1959, featuring additional background vocals by the Andantes), and "Alright" (1960).[9] Between these two releases, Albert "Mooch" Harrell replaced Pee-Wee Crawford.[9] "Come On" was a local hit for the Distants, and the Warwick label picked the record up for national distribution.[9] After the release of "Alright", Matthews appointed Williams the group leader, and the group was renamed Otis Williams & the Distants.[10] [edit] Influences and colleagues The Primes and the Distants were but two of dozens of local male vocal acts, the most famous of which was the Miracles, led by Smokey Robinson. The Miracles were known for their stage show, and their pop success was something for which both groups strived.[11] Other important inspirations included the Cadillacs, Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers, the Drifters, and the Isley Brothers.[12] The various members of The Primes and the Distants who would later become part of the Temptations met a number of their later Motown bandmates, labelmates, and producers during the early part of their careers. Melvin Franklin had been a member of the recording group the Voice Masters, which also included among its ranks Lamont Dozier and David Ruffin.[9] The musicians at the recording session for the Distants' "Come On" included James Jamerson on bass; the Andantes on background vocals; and Norman Whitfield on tambourine.[9] A promotional image of the original early 1960s Temptations lineup. Clockwise from top right: Otis Williams, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin, Eddie Kendricks, and Elbridge "Al" Bryant. [edit] Forming the Temptations Although "Come On" was a local success in the Detroit area, the Distants never saw much of their share from the record sales, and the second single was not as successful. After receiving an offer from Berry Gordy of Motown Records, the group got out of its contract with Matthews and left Northern. At the same time, it lost Mooch Harrell, Richard Street, and the rights to use its name. Street would front a new group of Distants for the local Thelma label during the early 1960s. The Distants were acquainted with the Primes, as both groups made the same rounds to local record hops, talent shows, and concerts. The two groups were friendly rivals. The Primes disbanded in 1960 when Kel Osbourne moved to California, and Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams returned to Alabama. While in Detroit visiting relatives, Kendricks called Otis Williams who, needing two more members for an audition for Gordy, offered Kendricks a place in the Distants. Kendricks agreed, with one condition -- that he could bring Paul Williams with him. Otis Williams agreed, and Kendricks and Paul Williams moved back to Detroit to join the group. The new lineup of Otis Williams, Franklin, Bryant, Kendricks, and Paul Williams took on the name The Elgins and auditioned for Motown in March 1961. Gordy agreed to sign the group to his Miracle Records imprint, but discovered just before signing that there was already a singing group called the Elgins. The quintet quickly began tossing about ideas for a new name on the steps of Motown's Hitsville U.S.A. headquarters. On a suggestion from Miracle Records employee Billy Mitchell and Otis Williams, The Temptations became the group's new moniker. The "Elgins" name would re-surface at Motown in 1965, when Gordy renamed a quartet called The Downbeats as The Elgins. The Temptations released two singles on Miracle, "Oh Mother of Mine" and "Check Yourself", before it was closed and merged with the Gordy label (to avoid confusion with the Miracles singing group). All seven of the Temptations' singles released between 1961 and 1963 failed to make it onto the U.S. pop singles charts; the 1962 single "Dream Come True" made it to number 22 on the R&B chart. Paul Williams and Kendricks split most of the leads during this period, with Bryant, Otis Williams, and Franklin occasionally singing lead. Many songwriter and producer teams had been trying to craft a hit for the Temptations, including Berry Gordy, Mickey Stevenson, Clarence Paul, and Norman Whitfield. Gordy had in fact written the song "Do You Love Me" for The Temptations in 1961, but when he was unable to get ahold of the group, he recorded the song with the Contours instead. Miracles lead singer/songwriter/producer Smokey Robinson produced his first Temptations single, the Paul Williams-led "I Want a Love I Can See", in 1963, and proved to have the best rapport with the group. Elbridge Bryant, who preferred his day job as a milkman to performing, soon became restless and uncooperative. After a performance at the 1963 Motown company Christmas party, Bryant was fired from the group. His replacement was Meridian, Mississippi native David Ruffin, younger brother of Motown artist Jimmy Ruffin. Though both Ruffin brothers were considered, David was given an edge over Jimmy thanks to his performance skills, which David displayed when he joined the Temptations on-stage during a local Detroit performance earlier that year.[13] The "Classic Five" lineup of the Temptations, circa 1965. Left to right: Melvin Franklin, Eddie Kendricks, Otis Williams, Paul Williams, and David Ruffin. The "Classic Five" era In January 1964,Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Bobby Rogers co-wrote and produced "The Way You Do the Things You Do" with Kendricks on lead; the single became the Temptations' first Top 20 hit that April. While traveling as part of Motown's Motortown Revue later that year, Robinson and fellow Miracle Ronnie White wrote a song for the emotive Ruffin to sing lead on, which the group recorded in the fall of 1964. Released as a single on December 24, 1964, "My Girl", became the Temptations' first number-one pop hit in March 1965, and is their signature song to this day. David Ruffin's emergence as lead singer gave way to the Temptations' most successful period, today referred to as the "Classic Five" era, during which Ruffin, Kendricks, Franklin, Otis Williams, and Paul Williams recorded many of the group's most familiar hits. After the success of "My Girl", Ruffin sang lead on the next three Temptations singles: "It's Growing", "Since I Lost My Baby" and "My Baby", all of which made it to the Top 20 in 1965. The b-side to "My Baby", "Dont Look Back", featured a lead from Paul Williams, and was a sleeper hit on the R&B charts. In 1966, Norman Whitfield became the Temptations' new main producer, after his "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" performed better than Robinson's "Get Ready" on the U.S. pop charts. Whitfield began pushing the group away from Robinson's ballad-based production towards a harder-edged and brass-heavy soul sound reminiscent of the work of James Brown. Nearly all of the pre-1968 Whitfield-produced Temptations singles featured David Ruffin on lead vocals, including the R&B number-one/pop Top 10 hits "Beauty Is Only Skin Deep" and "(I Know) I'm Losing You". Other singles from this period included "You're My Everything", on which Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin share lead vocals, and "All I Need", produced by Whitfield's protg Frank Wilson. Whitfield's writing partners during this period included Roger Penzabene, Temptations road show manager/guitarist Cornelius Grant, and Edward Holland, Jr.. After Eddie Holland left Motown with the rest of the Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting/production team in 1967, Barrett Strong (who sang Motown's first hit, 1960's "Money (That's What I Want)") began working with Whitfield and Penzabene on Temptations material. Two of Whitfield/Strong/Penzabene's collaborations, "I Wish It Would Rain" and "I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)", became hits in 1968. Strong became Whitfield's sole collaborator after Penzabene's suicide in December 1967. Exit David Ruffin Between 1964 and 1968, the Temptations went from unknown hopefuls to international stars. The group appeared frequently on television shows such as American Bandstand and The Ed Sullivan Show, and catered to middle America with a pop standards album (The Temptations in a Mellow Mood, 1967) and performances at the Copacabana in New York City and other such supper clubs. Outside of music, the Temptations were made honorary members of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Initially laid back and even-keeled, by 1967 David Ruffin felt that he was almost single-handedly responsible for the group's success. He demanded special treatment, riding to and from gigs in a private mink-lined limousine with his then-girlfriend, singer Tammi Terrell (known for her duets with Marvin Gaye), instead of in the group limousine the other four Temptations used. Ruffin missed a number of rehearsals, concerts, and group meetings; and began regularly using cocaine. After seeing how Motown had made Diana Ross the focus of the Supremes by renaming the group Diana Ross & the Supremes, Ruffin demanded that his group be renamed, as well -- to David Ruffin & the Temptations. Additionally, Ruffin was demanding an accounting of the Temptations' earnings, which caused friction between him and Berry Gordy. There was general agreement among the rest of group that Ruffin needed to be replaced. Otis Williams insists that Ruffin was given fair warning that if he did not change his attitude he would be fired. When Ruffin missed a June 1968 engagement at a Cleveland supper club in order to attend a show by his new girlfriend (Dean Martin's daughter Gail), it was decided that he had crossed the line. The other four Temptations drew up legal documentation firing Ruffin from the group, and Dennis Edwards, formerly of the Contours, was hired to replace him. Edwards and Ruffin were good friends, and Ruffin at first went along with the changing of the guard. After a short time, however, Ruffin began turning up at Temptations shows, jumping onstage during performances of the songs he once sang lead on and stealing the spotlight. The audiences were delighted, but the Temptations and Motown were frustrated and embarrassed. Extra security guards were hired to prevent Ruffin from attending other Temptations' performances. Ruffin sued Motown in October 1968, seeking a release from the label, and Motown settled by offering Ruffin a solo recording deal. Beginning in 1968, Berry Gordy commissioned a number of collaborations for the Temptations with Diana Ross & the Supremes. The results included a joint tour, two studio albums (Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations, which featured the number-two hit single "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me", and Together), and two NBC television specials, TCB (aired December 9, 1968) and G.I.T. on Broadway (aired November 12, 1969). The tracks for Diana Ross & the Supremes Join the Temptations included Dennis Edwards' first studio recordings with the Temptations. Psychedelic soul Dennis Edwards' addition to the Temptations coincided with producer Norman Whitfield's adoption of a new sound for the group. In the fall of 1968, Whitfield began producing psychedelic-based material for the Temptations, derived primarily from the sound of funk band Sly & the Family Stone. This new style, which debuted with the Top 10 hit single "Cloud Nine" in October 1968, was a marked departure from the David Ruffin-era ballads. The instrumentation was funkier, the beat was hard-driving, and all five Temptations traded lead vocals, similar to Sly & the Family Stone. "Cloud Nine", the centerpiece of the group's landmark Cloud Nine LP, was a Top 10 hit and won Motown its first Grammy Award, for Best R&B Vocal Group Performance of 1969. The blending of the Motown sound and psychedelic rock sound resulted in a new subgenre of music called "psychedelic soul", also evident in the work of Diana Ross and the Supremes ("Reflections", "Love Child"), Marvin Gaye's version of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", and the music of the Fifth Dimension and War. More Temptations psychedelic soul singles would follow in 1969 and 1970, among them "Runaway Child, Running Wild" (a number-one R&B hit), "I Can't Get Next to You" (a number-one pop hit), "Psychedelic Shack" , "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)", and "Ungena Za Ulimwengu (Unite the World)". Exit Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams During the late-1960s, Paul Williams' physical and mental health began to decline sharply. Williams suffered from both depression and sickle-cell disease, and also developed alcoholism, all of which made it hard for him to continue performing. Oxygen tanks were kept in the wings of performance venue stages for Williams, and the other four Temptations made valiant efforts to raid and drain his alcohol stashes. By 1969, former Distant Richard Street, now lead singer of Motown act The Monitors, was touring with the group as a backup replacement for Williams. For most shows, Street would sing Williams' parts (save for his solo numbers) from offstage behind a curtain, while Williams danced and lip-synched onstage. At other shows, and during most of the second half of 1970, Street took Williams' place onstage. As Paul Williams' health failed, Eddie Kendricks became detached from the group. He regularly picked fights with Otis Williams and Melvin Franklin over the group's leadership. In addition, Kendricks was uncomfortable with the psychedelic soul material the group was now performing, preferring the ballad material from the earlier days. Kendricks rekindled his friendship with David Ruffin, who persuaded him to quit the Temptations and go solo. After another confrontation between himself, Otis Williams, and Franklin during a November 1970 Copacabana engagement, Kendricks walked out in-between shows and did not return. Both Franklin and Otis Williams agreed at this time that Kendricks would be leaving the group. Before Kendricks officially left the Temptations, he and Paul Williams recorded the lead vocals for "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)", a lush, wistful ballad that became Kendricks' Temptations swan song. Released as a single in January 1971, "Just My Imagination" began steadily climbing the U.S. pop singles chart. By the time "Just My Imagination" hit number-one in March, Kendricks had negotiated his release from the group and signed a solo deal with Motown's Tamla imprint. Kendricks' original replacement was Ricky Owens, from the Los Angeles-based vocal group the Vibrations. However, Owens gave poorly-received performances during the few shows he performed with the group, and he was dropped after only a few weeks. During most of the spring of 1971, the Temptations remained a quartet, and re-recorded the single "It's Summer" without a fifth member. In April, Paul Williams quit the Temptations, after a medical declaration that he was unable to continue performing. Richard Street officially took his place, while Williams remained on the group's payroll as an advisor and choreographer. After Williams had recovered enough to perform again, Motown made plans for a Paul Williams solo career, but he died at age 34 in Detroit on August 17, 1973. Williams' death was ruled a suicide. The Temptations in the early 1970s By May, The Temptations had found a permanent replacement first tenor in twenty-year-old Baltimore native Damon Harris. Otis Williams, Edwards, Franklin, Street, and Harris continued recording and performing, and Norman Whitfield continued producing hits for them. Among these were Top 40 hits such as "Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are)" (1971), a message from the Temptations to the estranged David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks, and "Take a Look Around" (1972). The fall of 1972 saw the release of Whitfield's magnum opus, "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone". Originally a three-minute record written and produced for the Undisputed Truth, Whitfield took the sombre tune and created a sprawling, dramatic eleven and -minute version for the Temptations. An edited seven-minute version was released as a single in September 1972, hitting number-one on the pop charts and number-five on the R&B charts. In 1973, "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" won the Temptations their second Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Group. Whitfield and arranger/conductor Paul Riser won the award for Best R&B Instrumental Performance with the instrumental version of "Papa" on the single's b-side, and Whitfield and Barrett Strong won the songwriters' Grammy for Best R&B Song. After "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone", Whitfield stopped working with Barrett Strong, and began writing the Temptations' material on his own. The success of "Papa" led Whitfield to create more elongated, operatic pieces, including the Top 40 hit "Masterpiece" (1973) and several of the tracks on the resulting Masterpiece album. Tensions developed between Whitfield and the group, who found Whitfield arrogant and difficult to work with. The group cited his habitual tardiness, his emphasis of the instrumental tracks over the vocals on many of his productions, and the declining singles and albums sales as other sources of conflict. Otis Williams complained about Whitfield's actions and the Temptations' stagnant sales to Berry Gordy, who intervened and reassigned them to Jeffrey Bowen, co-producer of the 1967 In a Mellow Mood album. The final Norman Whitfield-produced Temptations album, 1990, was released in late 1973, and included the Top 30 single "Let Your Hair Down". Whitfield left Motown shortly afterwards, and in 1975 established Whitfield Records, taking with him the Undisputed Truth, Willie Hutch, and Rose Royce, who performed the instrumental track for "Let Your Hair Down". Dry spell Bowen's first LP with the Temptations was January 1975's A Song for You, which included a cover of the titular Leon Russell tune (popularized with soul audiences by Donny Hathaway), along with the pop Top 40/R&B number-one hits "Happy People" (featuring the Commodores as the instrumentalists) and "Shakey Ground" (featuring instrumentation by Funkadelic's Eddie Hazel and Billy Bass Nelson), and "Glasshouse", the group's final Top 40 Pop hit. Damon Harris was fired from the group during the recording of A Song for You, as his behavior and work ethic were deemed unprofessional.[14] His replacement was Washington, D.C. native Glenn Leonard, formerly of the Unifics.[15] A number of producers, including Bowen, Brian Holland, James Carmichael, and even the Temptations themselves tried producing hits for the next three LPs, House Party (November 1975), Wings of Love (March 1976), and The Temptations Do the Temptations (August 1976). None of these recordings were as commercially successful as A Song for You, and none of their singles entered the Billboard Hot 100 Top 40.[16] As time progressed, Bowen pushed Dennis Edwards further to the front. This was evident in on Wings of Love, which features Edwards' voice more prominently than the other Temptations' backing vocals.[17] Otis Williams felt that this was hurting the group, and after The Temptations Do the Temptations was recorded in 1976, Edwards was fired from the group.[18] His replacement was Louis Price. The Temptations left Motown for Atlantic Records, citing Motown's inattention as the reason for their declining sales and popularity.[19] However, the group's releases on Atlantic -- Hear to Tempt You (1977), Bare Back (1978), and their associated singles -- failed to perform better than their last handful of Motown singles, and in 1979 Atlantic released the group from its contract.[17] Shortly afterwards, the Temptations met with Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy, and the group re-signed with Motown in 1980.[20] ] Return to Motown and Reunion Upon the return to Motown, Louis Price departed from the group and joined the Drifters. Dennis Edwards, who had been inactive for the previous three years despite remaining with Motown as a solo act, returned to the lineup. Berry Gordy co-wrote and produced the Temptations' first single under the new contract, "Power", from the album of the same name. "Power" missed the Billboard Hot 100 Top 40, but hit number 11 on the R&B charts. Two years of underperforming singles and albums followed, including an eponymous album with Philadelphia-based producer Thom Bell, until Motown began planning a Temptations reunion tour in 1982. Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin agreed to rejoin the group for the Reunion album and tour. Melvin Franklin's nephew, Motown funk star Rick James (who had previously used the Temptations as backup vocalists on his 1981 hit "Super Freak"), wrote, produced, and guested on the Reunion album's lead single, "Standing on the Top", which featured Ruffin, Kendricks, and Edwards on lead. The single went to number-six on the R&B charts. While the ensuing Reunion tour with all seven Temptations (Ruffin, Kendricks, Otis Williams, Franklin, Edwards, Richard Street, and Glenn Leonard) was financially successful, it ended up being a stressful venture: Kendricks' voice had weakened after decades of chain smoking, and Ruffin, still addicted to drugs, missed a number of the performances. At the conclusion of the Reunion tour, Ruffin and Kendricks were fired, and they began touring and performing together as a duo. One more album, Surface Thrills, was released in 1983. It featured a sharp departure in the group's sound by incorporating elements of then-current rock. Following its release, Glenn Leonard left and was replaced by Ron Tyson. Tyson had been a songwriter at Atlantic during the Temptations' time there, and co-wrote several songs on the album Hear To Tempt You. [edit] From the 1980s to the 1990s By this time, the Temptations' releases were no longer performing well on the pop charts, though they sometimes made the R&B Top 20. "Love on My Mind Tonight", a single from Surface Thrills, made it to number 17. "Sail Away", produced by a returning Norman Whitfield and featuring Ron Tyson's first lead vocal, peaked at number 13. Dennis Edwards was again fired in 1984, this time for missing rehearsals, or showing up hungover. He attempted a second solo career, and his place was taken by Ali-Ollie Woodson, who had been a potential candidate to replace Edwards back in 1977. The album Back to Basics was released; it was the first album featuring Ron Tyson, and featured one track with Woodson, "Stop the World Right Here (I Wanna Get Off)". Woodson's first lead on a single was 1984's "Treat Her Like a Lady", co-written by himself and Otis Williams, and co-produced by Al McKay and Ralph Johnson, formerly of Earth, Wind and Fire. The single became their biggest success on R&B radio in some time, reaching number-two on the R&B charts, and just missing the Pop Top 40. The group experienced similar success the following year with the single "Lady Soul", another Top 5 R&B smash. On July 13th 1985, Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin would achieve "World comeback" recognition for their performances with Pop/Rock superstars Daryl Hall and John Oates(Hall and Oates) in a performance given at the "Live Aid" concert in Philadelphia televised world wide. The segment with Kendricks and Ruffin included a Medley of "Get ready/The way you do the things you do/My Girl. The combination of Hall, Oates, Ruffin and Kendricks went on to perform the resurrected Hall and Oates hit (made popular by the English artist Paul Young), "Every time you go away". This was the exact performance the singing quartet had just recorded live in a sold out performance for the "reopening" of the historic Apollo Theater. The medley recorded on "Live at the Apollo" for RCA, became a top 20 hit on the pop charts. Ollie Woodson remained with the Temptations until 1987, when he was fired and replaced by an again-returning Dennis Edwards. The group recorded one album during Edwards' third tenure, Together Again, released in late 1987. The following year, Otis Williams published his autobiography, Temptations, co-written with Patricia Romanowski, chronicling the careers of the group from the Primes/Distants days to the present, and focusing on the lives of Williams and Melvin Franklin. An updated version of the book was published in 2002. Edwards was fired for the third and final time in late 1989, with Woodson re-joining the lineup. Also that year, the Temptations were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, honoring Edwards, Franklin, Otis Williams, David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks (now performing as "Eddie Kendrick"), and, posthumously, Paul Williams. Most of the Temptations, present and former, showed no ill feelings towards each other, although Otis Williams reported that Kendricks would not speak to him during the ceremony. [21] The Temptations ended their induction with Paul Willaims' signature song, "Don't Look Back", dedicated to his memory. After reuniting at the induction ceremony, Edwards, Ruffin, and Kendrick made plans to tour and record as "Ruffin/Kendrick/Edwards, Former Leads of The Temptations". The tour was carried out, much to the chagrin of Otis Williams and Motown, but production on an album was terminated when Ruffin, age 50, died on June 1, 1991 in Philadelphia after a drug overdose. Kendrick was diagnosed with lung cancer but continued to perform; he died on October 5, 1992 at the age of 52, in his native Birmingham. The Temptations in the 1990s From the 1990s on, the Temptations' lineup began to change more frequently than before. Richard Street missed a performance in 1992 after undergoing emergency surgery to remove kidney stones. Otis Williams was not aware of Street's surgery, and called him, angry about Street's absence. Street felt Williams was unsympathetic, and as a result, he left the group in 1993 after twenty-two years. His replacement was St. Louis native Theo Peoples. Two years later, Melvin Franklin was forced to stop performing because of failing health. He died on February 23, 1995 at the age of 52, after suffering a brain seizure. Ray Davis from Parliament/Funkadelic came on as new bass, and the group recorded the pop standards album For Lovers Only, which contained two tracks led by Melvin Franklin. Davis left shortly after completing the album, due to a throat cancer diagnosis. The group continued as a quartet for a short time, before recruiting bass Harry McGilberry, a former member of The Futures. For Lovers Only would also be the last for lead Ali-Ollie Woodson; he was released from the group in 1996 due to health problems, having suffered two battles with throat cancer. He was replaced by his fill-in from his first health concern, new member Terry Weeks. The new Temptations lineup, consisting of Otis Williams, Ron Tyson, Theo Peoples, and newcomers Harry McGilberry and Terry Weeks, debuted at the halftime show of Super Bowl XXXII, which celebrated the 40th anniversary of Motown. In 1998, The Temptations released Phoenix Rising, their first million-selling album in over twenty years. The album was anchored by the Theo Peoples-led single "Stay", a number-one hit on the adult contemporary charts that featured a sample from The Temptations' "My Girl". During the recording of Phoenix Rising, however, Theo Peoples departed, and was replaced by Barrington "Bo" Henderson. The completed album features both Henderson and Peoples (who later joined the Four Tops) on different tracks. A scene from the 1998 Temptations NBC miniseries. The Temptations mini-series Main entry: The Temptations (miniseries). Nineteen ninety-eight also saw the debut of The Temptations, a four-hour television miniseries based on Otis Williams' Temptations autobiography. It was broadcast in two parts on NBC on November 1 and November 2, 1998. The miniseries was a ratings success and won an Emmy award for Best Direction; it was subsequently rerun on the VH-1 cable television network and released to VHS and DVD. Otis Williams' former wife Josephine, Melvin Franklin's mother Rose Franklin, and David Ruffin's family, jointly filed a lawsuit against Williams, Motown, de Passe Entertainment, Hallmark Entertainment, and NBC for a number of charges, including defamations of character. The judges ruled in favor of the defendants, and the ruling was upheld when the plaintiffs appealed in 2001. Williams later claimed that, although his book was used as the source material for the film, he did not have a great deal of control over how the material was presented. From 2000 to the present day The Temptations were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999. In 2001, their 2000 album Ear-Resistible won the group its third Grammy, this one for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance. Three classic Temptations songs, "My Girl", "Ain't Too Proud to Beg", and "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone", are among The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. Bo Henderson was fired from the group in 2003, prompting a wrongful termination lawsuit [22]. His replacement was former Spinners lead G.C. Cameron. The lineup of Cameron, Otis Williams, Ron Tyson, Harry McGilberry, and Terry Weeks recorded for a short time before Harry McGilberry was dismissed;[23] his replacement was former Spaniels bass Joe Herndon. McGilberry died on April 3, 2006, at age 56. The group's final Motown album, Legacy, was released in 2004. Later that year, The Temptations asked to be released from their Motown contract, and moved to another Universal Motown Records Group label, New Door Records. Their latest album, Reflections, was released on January 31, 2006, and contains covers of several popular Motown songs, including Diana Ross & the Supremes' "Reflections", the Miracles' "Ooo Baby Baby", Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing", and the Jackson 5's "I'll Be There".[24] The Temptations were nominated for the 2007 Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance, for their version of Gaye's "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" from Reflections. G.C. Cameron left the group in June of 2007 to focus on his solo career.[25]. The current lineup is Otis Williams, Ron Tyson, Terry Weeks, Joe Herndon, and new member Bruce Williamson. Splinter groups Several former Temptations continue to perform outside of the group in spin-off or offshoot acts. The most well known splinter was "Ruffin/Kendrick/Edwards: Former Leads of the Temptations", which featured the three former Temptations and three other members (David Sea, who'd been a consideration to replace Edwards in 1984, Nate Evans, a former member of The Impressions, and a female vocalist). Following David Ruffin's death, Dennis Edwards and Eddie Kendrick began touring as "The Temptations", still with David Sea and Nate Evans, and bringing in another former Temptation, Damon Harris. The group had different sixth vocalists at different times, including Charles Blackmon and Curtis Taylor.[26] This prompted a legal battle with Otis Williams. Following Kendrick's death, the group splintered: Dennis formed "Dennis Edwards and the Temptations Review," Damon formed "Damon Harris and the Temptations Review" (featuring future Temptation Joe Herndon), David Sea went on to a solo career[27], and Evans and Taylor formed a Temptations tribute band[28]. Dennis Edwards' group tours to this day. The group has appeared on several PBS music specials. The lineup is Edwards, David Sea (baritone, returning in 1999), Mike Patillo (bass since 1993), Chris Arnold (first tenor/falsetto, joined post-2000)[29], and another former Temptation, Ali-Ollie Woodson. Woodson previously fronted an act called Ali-Ollie Woodson & the Emperors of Soul--Emperors of Soul being the name of the 1994 Temptations boxed set. He replaced Bernard Gibson[30][31] in 2007; Gibson was an original 1993 addition, and was in the group for all of their PBS performances. Damon Harris split from his group in the late 1990s; the other four members then joined with another former Temptation, Glenn Leonard, to become "Glenn Leonard and the Temptations Experience." Joe Herndon left this group to join the Temptations[32] His spot was filled by former Temptations bass Ray Davis, and, following Davis' death on July 5, 2005, Harry McGilberry, another former Temptations bass (McGilberry died on April 3, 2006). Damon Harris would form a new group later, billed as "Damon Harris and the Temptations Tribute." Richard Street also leads a group, billed as "Richard Street" or "Richard Street's Temptations"[33]. Street is in the process of writing a book regarding his time with The Temptations entitled Ball of Confusion. If it is published, it will be the second autobiography regarding the group. [edit] Musical style The Temptations' songs depended upon the individual members' interaction as a group; unlike many other R&B groups, each member of the Temptations was a lead singer of some capacity. Although the group always had an appointed main lead singer who dominated most the lead vocals (from Paul Williams to David Ruffin, Dennis Edwards, and later singers such as Louis Price, Ali-Ollie Woodson, and Terry Weeks), that singer was never given more of a promotional push than the other members. Co-lead songs, with two or more of the singers sharing the lead vocals, are common in the Temptations catalog, particularly among the psychedelic-era recordings of the late 1960s/early 1970s The "Motown Sound" The group would alter their style several times over the years following their first Motown hit, adapting to the popular styles of the day while retaining their signature visual and vocal styles. The earliest Temptations recordings reflect the influence of producers Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson, featuring a blend of black rhythm and blues and white pop music that came to be later identified as the "Motown Sound". Backed by Motown's stalwart studio band, the Funk Brothers, pre-1966 Temptations recordings were built around songs (usually ballads like "My Girl") with simple, direct lyrics supported by an R&B rhythm section with orchestral strings and horns added for pop appeal. During this period, each recording usually featured only one lead singer, usually David Ruffin or Eddie Kendricks, although Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin, and Otis Williams each had solo numbers of their own at various times. Like most Motown groups, melisma and other complicated vocalization techniques were eschewed by the Temptations for a more direct, yet obviously gospel-rooted vocal approach, to make the songs more palpable for white audiences. Creative control remained primarily in Smokey Robinson's hands, although the Temptations, most frequently Eddie Kendricks, periodically co-wrote some of their material. Kendricks also handled the vocal arrangements for all of the Temptations' material. In 1966, Norman Whitfield changed the group's dynamic, moving them away from the previous one lead singer model and adding elements derived from the rougher soul of artists like James Brown, Wilson Pickett, and the performers at Stax Records. Whitfield and his lyricists crafted Temptations songs with shifts of dynamics, syncopated horn stabs, and more intricate harmony arrangements which spotlighted each singer's unique vocal range. Onstage, this change was reflected in the group's use of a custom-made four-headed microphone, which allowed each member freedom to perform without having to all crowd around one or two microphones. Under Whitfield's control, the Temptations retained their white pop appeal, but also gained popularity amongst black audiences as well. Psychedelic and cinematic soul When David Ruffin was replaced by Dennis Edwards, and Sly and the Family Stone became popular, Whitfield again restructured the Temptations' sound, this time driving the group almost completely into a "psychedelic soul" sound. Recordings from this period (such as "Cloud Nine" and "Psychedelic Shack") featured echoed vocal tracks, distorted guitar lines with prominent use of the wah-wah pedal, hard-hitting drums, and various stereo effects and sound effects. The majority of these songs feature at least two lead singers; often, all five Temptations sang lead, trading bars a la the Family Stone. Dennis Edwards, whose vocal style had a rougher, more Southern-soul based sound than David Ruffin's, was featured prominently on most of these recordings. The lyrics for these songs, inspired heavily by Sly Stone's concurrent works, centered primarily around social issues such as integration, the Vietnam War, and self-consciousness. Ballads in the group's traditional style were still being recorded as b-sides and album fillers (the exception being "Just My Imagination"). Many of the psychedelic soul recordings were presented in extended-length mixes longer than the typical three-minute Motown song. Tracks such as the album version of "Run Away Child, Running Wild" from Cloud Nine, "Take a Stroll Thru Your Mind" from Psychedelic Shack, and "Smiling Faces Sometimes" from Sky's the Limit, all run at least eight minutes in length. Much of the running time for each song consists of instrumental passages without vocals, at Whitfield's insistence. The hit version of their smash 1972 single "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" was nearly seven minutes long, with an instrumental intro that was almost two minutes long -- a rarity for songs of that era. "Psychedelic soul" soon gave way to "cinematic soul": Long recordings with detailed orchestration and extended instrumental introductions and bridging passages, oten focusing on lyrics about the ghettos and inner cities of black America. These songs were heavily influenced by the work of singer/songwriters Isaac Hayes and Curtis Mayfield. Unlike Hayes and Mayfield, the Temptations had no creative control over their recordings, and were not fond of the twelve and thirteen-minute long songs that Norman Whitfield was now producing for them. Whitfield's contributions were the focal point of Temptations albums such as Solid Rock, All Directions, and particularly Masterpiec. From funk to disco to adult contemporary After Whitfield was dismissed as the Temptations' producer in 1974, the group altered its sound to accommodate a balance of both up-tempo dance material and ballads. The vocal arrangements began to again focus primarily on one lead singer per track, although leads were still being periodically shared. In addition, the Temptations themselves, after fighting Motown and Berry Gordy for creative control, began to write and produce some of their material. From this point on, the Temptations focused almost exclusively on songs about romance; songs about social issues similar to the Whitfield-era recordings were periodically recorded as well. Mid-1970s Temptations recordings focused significantly on funk music influences from artists such as Parliament Funkadelic and Sly and the Family Stone; members of both acts contributed to Temptations material during this period. The group's ballads, reduced to filler material during much of the Whifield period, were restored to the lush sound of the earlier Smokey Robinson-produced hits. After a brief diversion into disco in the late-1970s, the Temptations settled into an adult contemporary-rooted form of R&B, a style in which they continue to record. As the ages of its members increased, the Temptations' live shows have focused on less intricate choreography, although dancing remains an important aspect of the group's act. Legacy and influence The Temptations, with their tailored suits and detailed choreography, set the bar for male soul and R&B groups. Before the Temptations became popular, most black vocal groups were rough, high-energy acts with rawer vocals and more improvisational dance movements. Only a few performers, including contemporaries Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, and the Four Tops, showed the refined style that would be popularized by the Temptations. Berry Gordy insisted his acts be equally appealing to white and black audiences, and employed a creative team to help tailor Motown talent for crossover success. Paul Williams and Motown choreographer Cholly Atkins created the Temptation's trademark precise and energetic, yet refined, dance steps. The most famous of these, the "Temptation Walk", or "Temptation Strut", was adapted from similar moves by the Flamingoes and the Vibrations. From those two sources, Paul Williams crafted the group's signature dance routine. During the 1960s and 1970s, a number of soul groups showed significant influence from the Temptations, among them the Delfonics, the Stylistics, George Clinton's original Parliaments, the Dramatics, and Motown labelmates the Jackson Five. These acts, and others, showed the influence of the Temptations in both their vocal performances and their onstage choreography. Several more recent soul and R&B vocal groups, including the Johnny Gill-led version of New Edition, Jodeci, BLACKstreet, Dru Hill, and, most notably, 1990s Motown act Boyz II Men, also showed significant influence from the Temptations. Temptations songs have been covered by scores of musicians, from R&B singers such as Luther Vandross ("Since I Lost My Baby"), to pop vocalists such as Bette Midler ("Just My Imagination"), to rock bands such as Rare Earth ("Get Ready"), Duran Duran ("Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)") and the Rolling Stones ("Ain't Too Proud to Beg"). In 1991, British singer Rod Stewart collaborated with the Temptations on the single "The Motown Song". The lives and careers of The Temptations were one of several inspirations for Robert Townsend's 1991 film about a 1960s Motown-esque male group, The Five Heartbeats. In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked The Temptations #67 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time (Less)
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50, 02:32, 2008-04-17 15:10:26 Description: P. J. Proby (born James Marcus Smith, 6 November 1938, Houston, Texas) is a singer, songwriter, and actor noted for his theatrical portrayals of Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison, plus interpretations of (More) P. J. Proby (born James Marcus Smith, 6 November 1938, Houston, Texas) is a singer, songwriter, and actor noted for his theatrical portrayals of Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison, plus interpretations of old standards in the vein of Billy Eckstine, Nat King Cole and Tony Bennett. The stage name P. J. Proby was suggested to him by a friend named Sharon Sheeley [1] who remembered an old high school boyfrien Youth and early career Proby grew up in a banking family where his father was the VP of the Second National Bank in Houston Texas. He was educated at San Marcos Military academy, Culver Naval Academy and Western Military academy, where, upon graduation he moved to California to become a motion picture actor and recording artist.Given the stage name Jett Powers by top Hollywood agents Gabey, Lutz, Heller and Loeb, [2], he took acting and singing lessons, and appeared in movies with small roles. Two singles "Go, Girl, Go", and "Loud Perfume", were released on an independent label, but were not noticed. In 1962 he began writing songs and recording demos, for artists such as Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. Proby was taken by songwriter Sharon Sheeley (who penned 'Poor Little Fool' for Ricky Nelson, and was engaged to Eddie Cochran) to audition at Liberty Records. He travelled to London after being introduced to Jack Good by Sheeley and Jackie DeShannon. Soon, Proby created his fashion image of a pony-tail tied back with a ribbon, swashbuckling pirate shirts, and buckle shoes. In addition to this, he wore skin-tight suits made of velvet in different colours for each day of the week. Appearing on The Beatles' television special in 1964, he received great media interest with this fashion styling. Under the production of Good, Proby's balladeer style and theatrical presentation scored a string of hits in 1964 with "Hold Me" and "Together" (featuring session guitarists Big Jim Sullivan and Jimmy Page), "Somewhere", "Maria", and "I Apologise". A royalty dispute with Liberty Records in 1966, broke his run of success in the UK Singles Chart. His career was also affected by controversies. His skin-tight trousers split open during a concert in England. The women in the audience went wild. Somehow, the trousers split again at the next venue. Critics, and the audience, were divided on whether he was using a gimmick to promote his image, or simply an eccentric rock star. During a concert with Cilla Black in 1967 they split again, and PJ was dropped from the rest of the tour by theatre managers. [edit] Back in the USA In 1967 Proby scored a world-wide Billboard Top 30 hit "Niki Hoeky". He was then auditioned for the[London? [citation needed]] production of Finian's Rainbow, but did not get the role and to this day has never been told why. Poor managerial advice led to Proby briefly declaring bankruptcy. He returned to the United States to rest. In September 1968, Proby recorded the album Three Week Hero, which was released in 1969. A collection of country-style ballads mixed with blues, the album is notable more for its association with the new Yardbirds, his backing band, who would later become Led Zeppelin. [edit] Success on the London stage In 1971 he appeared on stage as Casio in a rock musical version of Shakespeare's Othello, called Catch My Soul [3]. The play enjoyed a successful run in London's West End. After Catch My Soul, he continued to perform mostly in cabarets and nightclubs, singing 1960s ballads and rhythm 'n' blues material. Signing with Good again in 1977, he portrayed Elvis Presley in a theatrical production of Elvis - The Musical, which received rave reviews, winning a Best Musical of the Year award. In 1978, Proby recorded with the Dutch rock group Focus releasing Focus con Proby. He then returned to singing in clubs, before embarking on a change of direction. In 1993 Proby appeared in the Jack Good biographical musical "Good Rockin' Tonite"- as himself. Two years later in 1995, Proby appeared in the Roy Orbison tribute show "Only the Lonely". By 1996 Proby was acting again in "Elvis - The Musical". [edit] Eighties nadir His career followed a similar path trod by Tom Jones in the 1980s, who began to cover contemporary songs. Proby began with a version of Joy Division's epic "Love Will Tear Us Apart", followed with Gloria Jones's "Tainted Love", and then, less advisedly, The Sex Pistols' "Anarchy in the UK". He did enjoy minor success but, unlike Jones, was largely neglected by the media. In 1989, the Southport based author/songwriter Ron Ellis recorded Proby singing one of his compositions, "Hot California Nights", and released the recording as a CD single on Da Doo Ron Ron Records. It is now a rare and highly collectible [citation needed] CD. [edit] Rise of the legend By 1990 P. J. Proby was living in Bolton, Lancashire and suffering from alcoholism. He was offered a recording deal with the Preston based, J'Ace Records, and this led to the release of a single "Stage of Fools", and an album entitled, Thanks. It was distributed internationally by BMG and it brought Proby back into the record shops, for the first time since he left Liberty Records almost twenty years before. Granada TV featured Proby in a documentary and BBC TV featured Proby, on their flagship current affairs programme This Week. Following his return to the public eye, in 1991, Proby suffered a heart attack whilst on holiday in Florida in 1992 which curtailed his activities until 1993. Then he reappeared on stage in the biographical musical of Jack Good's life called Good Rockin Tonight, followed by playing himself in the Roy Orbison story called Only the Lonely. A year later Proby returned to a new production of Elvis, and released the critically acclaimed album Legend [4]. The album featured songwriting and production contributions from Marc Almond, and Neal X from Sigue Sigue Sputnik. A resulting single, "Yesterday Has Gone", a duet with Almond, reached Number 58 on the UK chart at the end of 1996. In 1997, Proby toured with The Who in America and in Europe, performing as "The Godfather" [5] in the road production of Quadrophenia [6]. After Quadrophenia, Proby continued singing by doing performances in UK, Sweden [7], Denmark [8] and Germany[9]. In addition, he had been touring in "Sixties Gold" [10], another revival series of shows, for some years. In August 2004, he also toured successfully in Australia. From the 26 February until 7 May 2006, Proby was touring with the "Solid Silver Sixties Show 2006" [11]" throughout much of the UK - ended at The London Palladium.[12] Following this in 2006 Proby toured the UK in the 'Ring of Fire..Johnny Cash Show' giving a performance that received standing ovations.[citation needed] In 2002, Van Morrison recorded a song for his album, Down the Road, entitled "Whatever Happened to P.J. Proby?" (Less)
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13, 05:13, 2007-04-03 10:44:01 Description: Filmed live on the http://www.stevelevyshow.com/
Learn more about Adam Fallon at http://www.adamfallon.com/
Biography: Adam Fallon
It's dusk, it's cool, and the stadium lights are on. (More) Filmed live on the http://www.stevelevyshow.com/
Learn more about Adam Fallon at http://www.adamfallon.com/
Biography: Adam Fallon
It's dusk, it's cool, and the stadium lights are on. About 50,000 concert-goers are singing a song back to Adam Fallon, the headline act.
This is Fallon's ultimate musical goal. Based on the rapid growth of his audience throughout North America and his new EP, Slightly Used, hitting the market in 2006, he could achieve it very soon.
From his base in Chicago, Fallon is building a following throughout the Midwest, Ontario and across the continent. Audiences are opening up to his style: his own unique take on the tradition of singer/songwriter, but with an intangible quality that makes listener feel that, deep down, he knows what they are feeling. Fallon moves effortlessly from ballads to upbeat pop to full-out rock.
The 26-year-old Canadian singer and songwriter has been, at various times, a performer, producer, promoter, and roadie. Fallon is something of a local legend around Belleville, Ontario, where he pulled up to an A%26W --former band Pickseed aboard a flatbed truck-and drew 300 people for an impromptu concert.
It may be his knack for producing and promoting that keeps him so connected to what his fans expect. "The typical person at my show tends to be laid back, casual and looking for good live entertainment," Fallon says. "They just want to close their eyes, listen to the story, and be carried away."
He's been there himself: Fallon learned at an early age that music could take him away from problems at home and school. He started with clarinet at age 12; and really developed a deep appreciation for music at age 14, when he got his first drum set. "I'd go into the garage four hours a night," he says, "and just put on a CD and headphones and play along." He credits those early sessions with Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, and Foo Fighters with honing his skills and helping him feel good about himself. (He also includes Led Zepplin, The Beatles, The Who, the Matthew Good Band, Our Lady Peace and the Tragically Hip among his influences.)
As he finished high school and pursued a degree in radio broadcasting at Loyalist College, his songwriting style crystallized. Fallon considers himself a free-association writer. "The majority of my songs are written off cuff," he says. "I get an idea in my head and then put the pen to the paper and just start writing, because if I think about what I want to say, I overthink and censor myself."
Many of his songs spring from experiences with his wife, Kim, who has a profound influence on his art-she's his Muse, you could say. Fallon credits her with keeping his creativity on track. "She's not afraid to tell me if something stinks or needs to be better or if it's perfect," he says. "I can sometimes come up with an idea that I've played before; she has a great memory and will step in very quickly to let me know that I'm re-using stuff that I've already done."
Despite his extensive musical experience, Fallon understands the power of collaboration. His five-year co-writing relationship with guitarist Kyle Defreitas, whom he considers a "guitar genius," is a good example "After developing the original idea for a song-the lyrics and basic musical structure-Kyle and I work on the progression and harmonies and then build the song from there," says Fallon. "Two songs on the new EP, "Someday" and "Ignored," are examples of what we can do together."
When the new EP, Slightly Used, is released on NYOC Records this year, it will be Fallon's fourth recording. He recorded a 3-song solo EP with Defreitas in March 2002 titled The Power of the Voice of One Vol. 1; followed that up with a full-length album with his former band, Pickseed; then re-teamed with Defreitas for The Power of the Voice of One Vol. 2. Scott Juba of the-trades.com said Vol. 2 "demonstrates his tremendous versatility as an artist and proves why he is beginning to earn radio airplay in select US and Canadian markets."
Back to the stadium: the song is over, the crowd is roaring, and Adam Fallon lets the sound wash over him. Big dream? Sure. But this artist, who backs up the dream with talent, enthusiasm and a relentless drive to succeed, will soon be stepping onto a larger stage. (Less)
Channel: youtubeTags: adam britney Bundchen clooney conan fallon Gisele kevin leno letterman levy posh sex show spears steve Timberlake
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20, 05:37, 2008-03-01 19:54:43 Description: TOTAL BALALAIKA SHOW (1993) - part 11 of 11
21) "Just a Gigolo"
=====================================
Russia's renowned Alexandrov Red Army Ensemble jams with Finland's (More) TOTAL BALALAIKA SHOW (1993) - part 11 of 11
21) "Just a Gigolo"
=====================================
Russia's renowned Alexandrov Red Army Ensemble jams with Finland's outlandish rockers the Leningrad Cowboys. The odd pairing of these two groups results in an inspiring collaboration.
The concert took place on 12 June 1993 on Senate Square in Helsinki, Finland. The event drew a crowd of approximately 70,000 people from two nations - Finland and Russia - that had been engaged in a state of "peaceful coexistence" during the Cold War.
The concert featured an eclectic mix of Western rock and Russian folk music, including a balalaika rendition of "Stairway to Heaven", and folk dancers performing to rock songs.
========================================
The Leningrad Cowboys is a Finnish rock and roll band famous for it's humorous songs and concerts featuring the Soviet Red Army Choir.
Currently, the band has eleven Cowboys and two Leningrad Ladies. The songs, all somewhat influenced by polka and progressive rock, and performed in English, have themes such as 'vodka', 'tractors', 'rockets', and 'Genghis Khan', as well as folkloric Russian songs, rock and roll ballads and covers from bands as diverse as The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, all with lots of humour.
-----------------------------------
The Red Army Choir (Choir Aleksandrov) is a performing ensemble that served as the official army choir of the former Soviet Union's Red Army. The choir consists of a male choir, an orchestra, and a dance ensemble. The songs they perform range from Russian folk tunes to Church hymns, operatic arias and popular music.
In 1991, The Red Army Choir participated in Roger Waters' The Wall concert celebrating the fall of the Berlin Wall. They performed an anti-war song "Bring the Boys Back Home".
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Red Army Choir has continued performing, entertaining audiences both inside and outside Russia. (Less)
Channel: youtube Rate it: Rate:
37, 05:30, 2008-03-01 19:07:23 Description: TOTAL BALALAIKA SHOW (1993) - part 10 of 11
20) "Glory Hallelujah"
========================================
Russia's renowned Alexandrov Red Army Ensemble jams with (More) TOTAL BALALAIKA SHOW (1993) - part 10 of 11
20) "Glory Hallelujah"
========================================
Russia's renowned Alexandrov Red Army Ensemble jams with Finland's outlandish rockers the Leningrad Cowboys. The odd pairing of these two groups results in an inspiring collaboration.
The concert took place on 12 June 1993 on Senate Square in Helsinki, Finland. The event drew a crowd of approximately 70,000 people from two nations - Finland and Russia - that had been engaged in a state of "peaceful coexistence" during the Cold War.
The concert featured an eclectic mix of Western rock and Russian folk music, including a balalaika rendition of "Stairway to Heaven", and folk dancers performing to rock songs.
========================================
The Leningrad Cowboys is a Finnish rock and roll band famous for it's humorous songs and concerts featuring the Soviet Red Army Choir.
Currently, the band has eleven Cowboys and two Leningrad Ladies. The songs, all somewhat influenced by polka and progressive rock, and performed in English, have themes such as 'vodka', 'tractors', 'rockets', and 'Genghis Khan', as well as folkloric Russian songs, rock and roll ballads and covers from bands as diverse as The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, all with lots of humour.
-----------------------------------
The Red Army Choir (Choir Aleksandrov) is a performing ensemble that served as the official army choir of the former Soviet Union's Red Army. The choir consists of a male choir, an orchestra, and a dance ensemble. The songs they perform range from Russian folk tunes to Church hymns, operatic arias and popular music.
In 1991, The Red Army Choir participated in Roger Waters' The Wall concert celebrating the fall of the Berlin Wall. They performed an anti-war song "Bring the Boys Back Home".
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Red Army Choir has continued performing, entertaining audiences both inside and outside Russia.
=================================== (Less)
Channel: youtube Rate it: Rate:
17, 09:46, 2008-03-01 18:32:02 Description: TOTAL BALALAIKA SHOW (1993) - part 9 of 11
19) "Stairway To Heaven"
=====================================
Russia's renowned Alexandrov Red Army Ensemble jams with (More) TOTAL BALALAIKA SHOW (1993) - part 9 of 11
19) "Stairway To Heaven"
=====================================
Russia's renowned Alexandrov Red Army Ensemble jams with Finland's outlandish rockers the Leningrad Cowboys. The odd pairing of these two groups results in an inspiring collaboration.
The concert took place on 12 June 1993 on Senate Square in Helsinki, Finland. The event drew a crowd of approximately 70,000 people from two nations - Finland and Russia - that had been engaged in a state of "peaceful coexistence" during the Cold War.
The concert featured an eclectic mix of Western rock and Russian folk music, including a balalaika rendition of "Stairway to Heaven", and folk dancers performing to rock songs.
========================================
The Leningrad Cowboys is a Finnish rock and roll band famous for it's humorous songs and concerts featuring the Soviet Red Army Choir.
Currently, the band has eleven Cowboys and two Leningrad Ladies. The songs, all somewhat influenced by polka and progressive rock, and performed in English, have themes such as 'vodka', 'tractors', 'rockets', and 'Genghis Khan', as well as folkloric Russian songs, rock and roll ballads and covers from bands as diverse as The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, all with lots of humour.
-----------------------------------
The Red Army Choir (Choir Aleksandrov) is a performing ensemble that served as the official army choir of the former Soviet Union's Red Army. The choir consists of a male choir, an orchestra, and a dance ensemble. The songs they perform range from Russian folk tunes to Church hymns, operatic arias and popular music.
In 1991, The Red Army Choir participated in Roger Waters' The Wall concert celebrating the fall of the Berlin Wall. They performed an anti-war song "Bring the Boys Back Home".
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Red Army Choir has continued performing, entertaining audiences both inside and outside Russia. (Less)
Channel: youtube Rate it: Rate:
13, 09:57, 2008-03-01 16:31:01 Description: TOTAL BALALAIKA SHOW (1993) - part 8 of 11
17) Those Were The Days
18) Dark Eyes
=======================================
Russia's renowned Alexandrov Red Army Ensemble jams with (More) TOTAL BALALAIKA SHOW (1993) - part 8 of 11
17) Those Were The Days
18) Dark Eyes
=======================================
Russia's renowned Alexandrov Red Army Ensemble jams with Finland's outlandish rockers the Leningrad Cowboys. The odd pairing of these two groups results in an inspiring collaboration.
The concert took place on 12 June 1993 on Senate Square in Helsinki, Finland. The event drew a crowd of approximately 70,000 people from two nations - Finland and Russia - that had been engaged in a state of "peaceful coexistence" during the Cold War.
The concert featured an eclectic mix of Western rock and Russian folk music, including a balalaika rendition of "Stairway to Heaven", and folk dancers performing to rock songs.
========================================
The Leningrad Cowboys is a Finnish rock and roll band famous for it's humorous songs and concerts featuring the Soviet Red Army Choir.
Currently, the band has eleven Cowboys and two Leningrad Ladies. The songs, all somewhat influenced by polka and progressive rock, and performed in English, have themes such as 'vodka', 'tractors', 'rockets', and 'Genghis Khan', as well as folkloric Russian songs, rock and roll ballads and covers from bands as diverse as The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, all with lots of humour.
-----------------------------------
The Red Army Choir (Choir Aleksandrov) is a performing ensemble that served as the official army choir of the former Soviet Union's Red Army. The choir consists of a male choir, an orchestra, and a dance ensemble. The songs they perform range from Russian folk tunes to Church hymns, operatic arias and popular music.
In 1991, The Red Army Choir participated in Roger Waters' The Wall concert celebrating the fall of the Berlin Wall. They performed an anti-war song "Bring the Boys Back Home".
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Red Army Choir has continued performing, entertaining audiences both inside and outside Russia. (Less)
Channel: youtube Rate it: Rate:
13, 03:17, 2008-04-17 15:13:15 Description: George Harvey Strait, (born May 18, 1952), nicknamed " King George" is an American country music singer. The native Texan is known for his honky tonk country western sound. Strait is (More) George Harvey Strait, (born May 18, 1952), nicknamed " King George" is an American country music singer. The native Texan is known for his honky tonk country western sound. Strait is sometimes referred to as the "King of Country" and some critics call Strait a living legend (Bego, 2001). He is well known for his unique style of western swing music, barroom ballads, honky-tonk style, and fresh yet traditional country western music. A member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Strait has been nominated for more CMA awards than any other artist. He holds the record for most Number 1 songs on Billboard Country Music charts and second on all charts behind Conway Twitty. Strait has had more albums certified gold or platinum in the United States than any other country artist and only Elvis Presley and The Beatles have more overall. (Less)
Channel: 123video Rate it: Rate:
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