1. The Four Tops 1990 - Inducted into RRHoF
The group changes in musical tastes & resisted lineup changes
Retained the same lineup
Performed jazz, doo-wop, soul, R&B, & disco throughout their career
Originally signed w/ Chess Records as the Four Aims
One of the groups that defined the Motown sound in the mid ‘60s
Biggest songs – Baby, I Need Your Loving (#11, 1964) I Can’t Help Myself (#1, 1965) & Reach Out, I’ll Be There (#1, 1966)
1972 -Left Motown when the label moved to LA
Signed w/ ABC records; resigned w/ Motown in 1983
Inducted into RRHoF

2. The Temptations 1960 - Formed in Detroit MI
Most consistently commercially successful & critically acclaimed male vocal group in rock history
13 gold, 6 platinum albums
– 19 Top 20 albums; 37 Top 40 singles; 15 Top 10 singles; 4 #1 singles
Best known for their sharp choreography & vocal harmonies
Considered as important to soul as the Beatles were to rock
Despite 4 different lead singers & numerous lineup changes, they always remained popular
As of 2000, Otis Williams was the only original member left

3. Formed from two different groups The Distants & The Primes
1961 lineup – Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, “El” Bryant, Eddie Kendricks, & Paul Williams
Released several flops in
Known as the “No-Hit” Temptations around Motown
Late 1963 – El Bryant is fired after attacking Paul Williams & is quickly replaced by David Ruffin
1964 – started working with Smokey Robinson as writer/producer
Began string of hits that ran until the early 1970s

4. 1st hit is The Way You Do the Things You Do (#11, 1965)
1965 – first #1 - My Girl
1966 – numerous Temptations songs make it to #1 on the R&B chart, including Get Ready & Ain’t Too Proud to Beg
The Temptations quickly become one of Motown’s flagship groups
Ruffin sees himself as the voice of the group & because of the treatment Diana Ross is receiving, thinks the group should become David Ruffin and the Temptations
1968 – David Ruffin is fired for failing to show for a concert, replaced by Dennis Edwards

5. 14 albums to reach #1 on the R&B sales charts
– Paul Williams suffering from alcoholism and sickle-cell disease is replaced by Richard Street
By 1970 – they are one of only 3 Motown acts to get FM airtime (Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder)
1971 – Eddie Kendricks leaves the group after recording Just My Imagination (#1, 1971)
Achivements
4 #1 pop songs, 15 #1 R&B songs
1st Motown artists to win a Grammy
Won 3 total Grammy awards
14 albums to reach #1 on the R&B sales charts
1989 – six members of the group inducted to the RRHoF as The Temptations (O. Williams, Franklin, Kendricks, P. Williams, Ruffin & Edwards)
Viewed as the classic lineup, plus Edwards
22 total members, Otis Williams the only surviving original member