MovieChat Forums > The Temptations (1998) Discussion > Just how successful would they have been...

Just how successful would they have been if......?

posted 14 years ago by ronaldt49
7 replies | jump to latest

Another discussion is continuing whether the group should have been called David Ruffin and the Temptations.
If there had been no Funk Brothers, Motown writers, or mostly Barry Gordy himself would any of them have advanced beyond street corner status. It's true that The Distants were a good sounding group, but when they were fired for wanting a little spending cash all of that went away and they were back to square one.
The Temptations did not make Motown. Motown, Barry Gordy, Smokey Robinson, Holland, Dozier, Holland and the other writers backed up by the Funk Brothers made the Temptations. David Ruffin or no David Ruffin.

[–] GaelinW 13 years ago

While I see your point. One could also ask the question of would anyone know the names Berry Gordy, Motown or the Funk Brothers if there had been no talent to put out front?

It took both talent and development to bring about the success.

“If they let Jack do it his way the show would be just 12” – snorgtees.com

[–] Sparky48 13 years ago

Please excuse my ignorance, or maybe naivete, but who are the "Funk Brothers"?

[–] OnlyRocknRoll 13 years ago

Mein Gott!! You don't know who the Funk Bros. were? Good grief, there was a recent documentary about them on Sundance. The *backbone* musicians of Motown in its heyday. Let us not forget that the music was as great as the singing!

I loved the Temps, but not when they started recording 'socially relevant' stuff like "Cloud Nine", or stuff like "Papa Was a Rolling Stone". That's when I lost them.

Check your posts for errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. They reveal your ignorance.

[–] Sparky48 13 years ago

I missed that documentary. But the backing musicians at Motown were great and very integral to the label's tremendous success during the 60s. As with most R&B vocal groups, the musicians at Motown received minimal credit for their talents, although their musical abilities were a major reason why the Motown groups were so successful.

The Temps recorded a lot of socially conscience songs during the 70s because it had become the popular trend. However, songs like "Cloud Nine" were morally dubious because its drug theme.

BTW, typos reflect carelessness, not ignorance.

[–] Kariann1 13 years ago

The Funk Brothers appeared on American Idol-Season 10 with a really nice introduction acknowledging their importance to the Motown music success. They were the back-up band for each contestant. They were perfect.

The change in the Temptations music was necessary because of changing times. It is because of these songs that Dennis Edwards was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the 5 original guys.

[–] Ecliptica85 13 years ago

Calling them "David Ruffin and The Temptations" would make as much sense to me as "Mick Jagger and The Rolling Stones". The Temptations are one of the biggest RnB bands of all time. Nothing can take that away from him and I don't think putting David's name at the front of it, especially when they gave him the boot after a few years anyways.

The left call me a fascist
The right call me a communist

[–] jefgg 10 years ago

I think you omitted Norman Whitfield and Shelly Berger.

Every successful music act has many people supporting them.