It was never really clear to me why Eddie left the Temps. Was it because he became disenchanted with the group after Paul committed suicide? Or was it because after the song "Just My Imagination," a song which he sung the lead, became such a smash hit that he decided to strike out on his own? Could somebody help me?
shareI've seen this movie around 50 times and I think he just didn't like the way a lot of things were done in the group, going back to when they voted to kick David out, to him feeling that they really didn't care about Paul. I just finished reading the book that Otis wrote and it seemed to back up the theory that Eddie stayed close friends with David, and David played on his unhappiness and was a big influence in his decision to quit. (Like in the movie where David is telling him, "you better quit before you get thrown out, too." or something like that.) The book's okay, but I thought it would have more juicy details about their personal lives, and tell about wild stuff that probably happened when they were touring and on the road!
shareTechnically speaking, Eddie was fired from the Temptations, though it wasn't as if he wanted to stay. He constantly bickered with Otis (and, by association, Melvin) - particularly over whether or not Motown was financially cheating the group. Eddie was also later said to have hated Norman Whitfield's "psychedelic soul" productions.
Eddie wanted the Temptations to go on "strike". Otis said no. Infighting continued, and Eddie refused to show up for a few dates and a TV show taping. This, of course, is why David Ruffin was fired - when his ego got so big that he stopped showing up where he needed to be. Eddie apologized and kept his job.
The whole time - this part of the movie is accurate - Eddie is hanging out with Ruffin, who is plying him with cocaine and paranoia.
In November 1970, Otis missed a note onstage at the Copacabana nightclub in NYC, and Eddie gave him "the meanest look he had ever seen". Knowing another fight was imminent, Otis and Melvin snuck out of the Copa before Eddie could catch up to them. Furious that they had dodged him, Eddie left the Copa and didn't return to finish the rest of the dates they were booked for.
So, it was decided by the others that Eddie would have to leave, and Eddie took no issue with that decision. He did stick around long enough to finish the then-in-progress "Sky's the Limit" album, which contained Just My Imagination", and long enough to appear on "The Ed Sullivan Show" with the group in January 1971 to promote that single.
His official departure from the Temptations was announced in March 1971 - one month before his first solo album - recorded in November/December 1970 - was released.
I should point out that, despite the corn (no pun intended) the movie presents, Paul's worsening condition - though obviously a concern of Eddie's - wad not his primary reason for leaving. Paul stayed with the group a half-year after Eddie left.
Thanks for the good story and the great research. Always fascinating to learn the behind-the-scene "for-reals."
sharei know so much about "real musica like the temps"pero...(but)not all of this so i want 2 say mucho gracia.
thank you VERY much adios
going back 2 watch this most incredible BEST biopic EVER done on vh-1,feasibly
best period on all of TV!
adios
~Para;
Bella~
LOVE BEV HILLS 90210 Por Vida!
One Tree Hill.LIL HOUSE.
Eddie Kendricks was uncomfortable with singing the psychedelic style that Norman Whitfield crafted for the group as opposed to the romantic ballads they had sung under the direction of Smokey Robinson. His close friend Paul Williams was often too ill to perform with the group and Kendricks often found himself at odds with bandmates Otis Williams and Melvin Franklin. As he grew away from the group, Kendricks began to rekindle his friendship with ex-Temptation David Ruffin, who convinced him to leave the group.
The Temptations had so many membership changes they should have been renamed The TEMPS.
"The Temptations had so many membership changes they should have been renamed The TEMPS."
Lol. Cute, and I agree!
There have been 22 gentlemen who have performed as members of The Temptations. That is a lot of guys. But that is the way life is. Most people don't stay in relationships forever. Most people don't stay at jobs forever. But some fans expect musicians to stay with groups forever. The reason that some groups like The Tempts were successful after many personnel changes is that they bring in top notch replacements. Dennis Edwards is the most noteworthy. There are others. The late Richard Street sang tenor from 1971 to 1993. Falsetto Ron Tyson joined the Tempts in 1983 and has been with them ever since.
shareAlthough I still liked Ruff better as the lead singer, I do agree that Dennis Edwards was a great replacement for Ruff.
I have no problem with a group making one or two replacements when certain members leave, but when the entire group becomes replaced with new members--like the Temps or the Supremes--then I think the group should just disband or call themselves "The Imposters."
I get your point. It's totally valid. If fans don't like the current incarnation of The Temptations or any other group no one is forcing them to buy concert tickets. I guess there are still plenty of fans willing to see a watered down version of the group. In this day and age most if not all fans are well aware the current Temptations bear little resemblance to the classic lineup. If fans stopped showing up the Tempts would pack it in.
I remember when Grand Funk Railroad toured without frontman Mark Farner. I thought it was a bogus lineup and didn't go to that concert. I felt the same way about The Doors without Jim Morrison and John Densmore and Creedence Clearwater Revival without John Fogerty. A lot of fans hate the current lineup of KISS without Ace Frehley and Peter Criss. KISS still tour, but they don't pack 'em in like they used to. Brand names are very important in business and that includes musical groups. I remember once discussing vocal groups with a casual fan. She seemed like someone who might not care as much about the members of a group. I guess I am a more serious fan and a little better with names. I am also a serious cheapskate. Concert tickets aren't cheap. I couldn't imagine buying tickets without knowing who is in a group.