About Me
This is the real Otis Williams of The Temptations, im never one to disapoint his fans. If I dont respond back to your messages or commets, dont think i dont respect them, im just so busy, i approve my friend requests and sometimes I can get back at you.In the late 50's, I would put many little groups together with members dropping in and out. In 1959, I befriended schoolmate Melvin Franklin after hearing his voice on a track by The Voicemasters, and invited him to join my group, The Distants.By early 1961, Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams, members of a rival group, The Primes, would join members of The Distants Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin and Elbridge Bryant to form the Elgins. After auditioning for Berry Gordy and signing a contract with Motown, we became The Temptations.In the early part of the 1960's, we wouldn't have any major success, but we were a group Berry Gordy believed in, and we worked hard to perfect our singing and our act.In 1964, things turned around for The Temptations. Group member Elbridge Bryant became a problem, and was replaced by David Ruffin. We had their first hit in "The Way You Do The Things You Do", followed by "My Girl", our first number one smash.Over the next few years we would enjoy success, but trouble would begin again when David Ruffin's blossoming ego compiled with a drug problem, would force us to dismiss him, an act that would be a major event in 1968.Despite the change in personnel, we would have continuing success with the addition of Dennis Edwards to the group. The music would change too, when Norman Whitfield took over most of the writing and producing.In the early seventies, things began to crumble. Me and Melvin prayed together, and pondered what our success really meant. There was tension between us and producer Norman Whitfield. Paul Williams health was failing and Eddie Kendricks wanted a solo career, and in 1971, both Paul and Eddie would leave the group. It was the end of an era, and the end of the Temptations of Hitsville, USA.Since 1995, all of the original members have passed on, and only I, Otis Williams remains. Through numerous personnel changes, I have pressed on.In 1988 I wrote my autobiography relating the story of how it all began. In 1998 the NBC made for TV mini-series was born from the book. The highly successful mini-series, besides bringing back a flood of memories, would result in the birth of a whole new generation of Temptation fans.
