MovieChat Forums > The Temptations (1998) Discussion > Why didn't Paul Williams...

Why didn't Paul Williams...

posted 12 years ago by chihuahuaboydh-724-612855
4 replies | jump to latest

...take his own advice & start his own group when Otis Williams declared Paul wasn't well enough to return to The Tempts? Paul could have called David Ruffin & Eddie Kendricks & started their own group. Although I really felt bad for Paul @ this point, he did have other options & he could have started his own group if he had so desired. He wouldn't have killed himself as a result.

R.I.P., Paul Williams...1943 - 1973. Your voice will sing on forever.

Larry Appleton: "I have..."
Balki Bartokomous: "Oh, God!"
Larry Appleton: "...a plan!"

[–] Kelea7 12 years ago

Well in real life he also had sickle cell. I hate that they didn't even mention it. But in the movie I just don't think he was in the right frame of mind to do that. He was just coming off of addiction and depression (well the fact that he killed himself showed he still was battling depression) plus there was no guarantee that the guys would want to join up with him. I don't think it ever crossed his mind. He was in such a dark place.

Rest in Peace Michael Clarke Duncan, your smile will be missed.
RIP Al Freeman Jr.

[–] b-touch 12 years ago

This movie is not a historically accurate account.

Paul Williams' suicide was not directly due to his inability to join the Temptations, though it certainly did not help. Other issues - his being in debt over a failed business, his struggle between his marriage and two affairs, and his deteriorating health and drinking problem - were factors as well.

He was in no condition or frame of mind to start a new group, nor would David or Eddie have realistically joined them (both being preoccupied with their solo careers). Paul did record a single for Motown as a solo artist in 1973, which the label decided not to release.

[–] jporter-6 11 years ago

Good points all. I used to work for a concert promoter, and what I could see was that the headliners and leads went through hell even though they had managers and business guys and PR folks. Either because of the headliner's or lead's ego or because it was just expedient, the hired help would always go back to the top kick for a decision.

Take a guy or gal who is ill and emotionally beaten. I don't either he or she or the group is going to last very long simply because of the minute-by-minute grind of getting and keeping a group going in the right direction.

[–] jefgg 10 years ago

I heard Motown chose not to release Paul Williams' solo single because it would have been in poor taste. The name of the song was "Feel Like Givin' Up".