The Temptations

Rip It Up, Issue 82, 1 May 1984, Page 16

The Temptations

Alastair Dougal

Times haven’t changed. Ron Tyson, . falsetto singer with the Temptations (and a relatively new member of the group), remembers that when a Motown act came to his hometown, “it , was excellence all the way.” Well, the Temptations are still the dancingest,, singingest thing around. When they hit a stage the suits are snappy, the choreography precise, the band well-rehearsed and the singing immaculate.

The Temptations are also still an old-fashioned vocal group of equals, with featured singers from within the group, unlike say, their tour companions the Four Tops who have one lead singer and a background chorus. The Temptations’ approach often allows two vocalists to work freely around the structured harmonising of the other three. The footwork and the patter may not alter from show to show but the singers can respond to the inspiration of the moment.

Melvin Franklin, bass singer for the Tempts, described the show to one daily journalist as

a trip down memory lane, an infectious atmosphere of joy, nine, handsome, talented guys

singing and making merry.” And that’s the way it was. If the enjoyment was feigned, you couldn’t tell. And like Motown shows since the beginning the combination was showbiz and soul. But even when at times the showbiz seemed to predominate, there was always the stunning voices of Ollie Woodson and Richard Street to bring you back to the earthy.

Ron Tyson The Temptations’ creative peak was between 1964 and 1968 when the two most characteristic voices of the group were baritone David Ruffin and falsetto vocalist Eddie Kendricks. So how does it feel to replace such a well-remembered singer as Kendricks. Ron Tyson claims he took the challenge in his stride.

“Eddie’s my idol, you know, so . . . The only part 1 was a little worried about was the dancing. You know there’s the old saying about patting your head and rubbing your stomach at the same time. It’s like that. Our choreographer is Charlie Atkins, he’s 70 years old. 1 figured he’s 70 and he can do it, I’m 36 I should be able to do something.”

Joining the Temptations was not Tyson’s first involvement with the group. In 1977 he had participated in the writing and recording of one of their albums. Tyson recalls:

“Prior to that I was writing and producing for a lot of acts. The Four Tops, Curtis. Mayfield ... I have a production company with a partner, Norman Harris. We did the First Choice. We used to do a lot of acts on Salsoul like the Salsoul Orchestra.”

It’s these writing and producing talents that will in future be applied to the Tempations. “We’re writing and producing some of our own stuff now. The next album we’re doing will probably be done by the Temptations. Otis Williams (of the Tempts) and myself have a partner, Vic Carstarphen, he helped write all the early hits for Teddy Pendergrass and the O’Jays. We’re looking at doing a lot of things in the future especially on the Tempts and other acts we become involved with.”

Tyson firmly believes there is still a market for the vocal group sound and the Temptations.

“It’s coming back even stronger. I’m not taking anything away from Rick James and Prince and all those guys. But I believe there is a market for groups of the Temptations’ status. We’re noticing now our audiences are 90% white.and

they’re young too. “I believe there’s a real market. I believe all we need is one real hit record. That would put us back on top.” Luther Vandross has recorded two of the Temptations most well-known songs Lost My ;Baby’(on, his album Forever, For Always, For Love ) and ‘I Wish It Would Rain’ with Aretha Franklin. Both are intelligent and. affectionate reworkings. But Ron Tyson is less impressed. “I myself am kind of partial to the original people doing them. To me .it’s never really like the act that did it, you know, . David Ruffin and Dennis Edwards. So somebody covering a song is good but to cover another’s song ,you have to really perform it. Luther Vandross, he has his own style. I’m not , taking anything from his style but it just don’t match up to me. ,

The most arresting stage performer and singer in the Temptations today is also the newest member. Ollie Woodson is the high swooping baritone replacement for Dennis Edwards. Where did this exciting talent come from? “He’s from Detroit. He did work for the Drifters. He’s coming into his own. We’re just trying to tell him: ‘Dennis had his day and David had his time. OK. But now it’s Ollie Woodson time. Don’t try to be or sound like those people’.” In Woodson’s charismatic voice, the Temptations’ future may lie.