Formed in 1960, the Temptations weren’t always iconic. At first, they were even called “The Hitless Temptations.”
“The Way You Do the Things You Do,” the group’s first major hit, was actually their eleventh single!
But once they got the spotlight, they never let go! Crowned the “Most Successful R&B Act of All Time” by Billboard, they’ve had 37 Top 40 hits, 15 No. 1 singles, and 17 No. 1 albums over five decades - and a new 2019 musical is even introducing them to new generations!
How do they have such incredible staying power? Primarily by being adaptable.
They branched out from their early “Motown sound,” going for a more “psychedelic soul” vibe in the early 70s and later, an “adult contemporary R&B” sound. They even took cues from hip-hop in the 90s and sampled themselves to make 1999’s new, modern “Stay.”
The Temptations’ legacy is undebatable. Their immaculate dress, choreography, and vocals have forever influenced music and popular culture, especially vocal groups, from New Edition and Boyz II Men to the Backstreet Boys. Even globally, they’ve impacted acts like current superstar Korean boy band BTS!
So, kick back and listen to some of the classics - “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” or “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone,” perhaps - and see if they’re coming to your city on tour this year!