MovieChat Forums > The Temptations (1998) Discussion > Was Berry Gordy Naive?

Was Berry Gordy Naive?

posted 14 years ago by Sparky48
11 replies | jump to latest

One of the most controversial moves that Berry Gordy made during the career of the Tempts was to produce an album featuring pop tunes, "The Temptations in a Mellow Mood," in 1967. The purpose of this was to "crossover" the group to the white audience, in an effort to generate higher record sales. One of the Tempts, Paul Williams, totally opposed the album because he thought it would alienate the black audience that made them successful and that the group would be perceived as "sellouts" by singing "white music" In doing this, Gordy said he was setting a goal to make the Tempts the most popular group in the world, instead of the most popular black group in the world.

I wonder if Gordy was really that naive to think that the Temps could achieve this goal, even if they sang "white music"? This, after all, took place during the 1960s. As evidenced by the Civil Rights Movement at the time, blacks were struggling to attain equal rights. Regardless of how good they were, I can't imagine--given the racist climate of American society at that time--that the Temps could have surpassed a white group like the Beatles.

[–] reset3 14 years ago

I do not think the Temptations could beat the Beatles at that time. The Beatles were bringing a new sound, new look, and had the teenage, boy band heartthrob thing going for them. Barry Gordy did succeed in getting the Temptations into exclusive white-only clubs and on white radio stations. Besides, the Temptations may not have reached the same level as the Beatles, but they were and still are extremely popular with all ethnicities.

[–] cclub 14 years ago

So very true, I think most people alive today know who the Temptations are and appreciate their music.

[–] OnlyRocknRoll 13 years ago

Moreover, if I feel like dancing I don't play the Beatles.

In fact, the only two Beatles LP's that I own were gifts.

[–] Sparky48 13 years ago

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"I do not think the Temptations could beat the Beatles at that time. The Beatles were bringing a new sound, new look, and had the teenage, boy band heartthrob thing going for them."
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Not to mention too that Paul McCartney could satisfy a white person's alter ego a hell of a lot easier than Paul Williams could.

[–] OnlyRocknRoll 13 years ago

No, not in the least. What he was was AMBITIOUS. He went for the goal you are talking about, regardless. Even more ambitious in that era. I don't know whether or not it was the right move.

BTW, after all the biopics about singers and groups from Patsy Cline to Ray Charles, I'd like to see one about Marvin Gaye.

Vive la differance, et merci a Dieu pour "click to ignore"!

[–] Sparky48 13 years ago

I would say that it was the wrong move. I can respect Gordy's ambition, but it was unrealistic and naive for him to think that he could make the Temps the world's most popular group by having then sing white music. I agreed with Paul Williams. Changing the sound of the group by trying to appeal to the white audience was selling out and would alienate the black audience that made the Temps successful. (I always thought that this was where Earth, Wind, & Fire made their biggest mistake.)

But yes, I agree with you that a biopic on Marvin Gaye would be a great movie. He was a legendary singer and the adversity during his lifetime would make for a powerful and intriguing dramatic movie. Suzanne Depasse should consider it.

[–] OnlyRocknRoll 13 years ago

Naive is a word the definition of which I simply can't associate with Mr. Gordy. Perhaps an over estimated opinion of himself and what he could possibly accomplish? He so manipulated all the talent that played for his label. 6 of one, half a dozen of the other. Who else would have promoted those various R&B groups at that time? Unfortunately, everyone in entertainment has to watch out for those contracts and their clauses.

As for Marvin, there isn't a known actor who could possibly play the role. Nobody around handsome enough, who resembles him in the least, and who can also act. They'd have to dig around in the young-up-and-comings to try to find someone who could possibly pull it off.

There is a huge problem with making movies about real people and then casting someone who can't cut it. Witness DiCaprio playing Howard Hughes. Good grief! A better version of Hughes story that I saw in the 80's cast Tommy Lee Jones. FAR more believable. And at least Jones was tall like Hughes.

BTW, I love(d) the Temptations AND Earth, Wind, and Fire and I never thought anyone was "selling out". I think people are a bit quick to use that phrase. One thing I've seen/heard in films and books about musicians is that they get SICK of the same thing demanded over and over. From Sergei Rachmaninov to Bobby Darin--they want to do NEW material. Rachmaninov got to the point where he hated his own classic piano concerto. That's what recordings are for- so that we, the audience, can play the same darn thing endlessly because we love it, but the artists should be free to go where their creativity takes them. Nobody expects a visual artist to paint the same darn picture over and over. I love Tina Turner because she finally escaped "the bag" that she'd been in until she cut her 80's albums.

If I had allowed the cultural clash of the 60's and 70's to dictate my musical choices or what radio station I listened to back then I would have missed out on A LOT. My tastes were all over the map back then and I was constantly criticized for it by people with tiny brains. I'm glad that I had enough sense of self to listen to whatever I wanted, regardless of who didn't like my choices.

Thanks for the dialogue. Most come here to spew venom at anyone that doesn't agree with them. You and I can agree to diagree ;-)

Best wishes,

[–] madetwolastforever 13 years ago

There's probably not a naive bone in Berry Gordy's body, especially when it concerns business.
The Temptations indeed crossed-over, so his idea worked.

[–] Sparky48 13 years ago

I guess I was being a bit too broad when I posted this question.

I don't think that Gordy was a naive man in general terms, but specifically in regard to his idea of making the Tempts the greatest musical group of all time, and not just the greatest black group, he wasn't being realistic. Even if the Temps recorded 'white' music, it was still highly unlikely that they could surpass the popularity of white groups like the Beatles or the Stones, simply because they were black.

[–] ronaldt49 13 years ago

What worked for the Beatles would work for the Tempts. Recall a lot of the Beatles early stuff was Little Richard, Marvelettes, Larry Williams, etc. Check out their early albums.

I recall an interview with Little Richard recalling when the Beatles were his opening act. They were playing all of his stuff, so when he came on stage there was nothing left for him to play so he had to ask them to stop it.

[–] jefgg 10 years ago

Didn't The Tempts manager Shelley Berger also want them to crossover? Wasn't that what their TV appearances were about? Almost every huge music act had some kind of crossover.