Customer Reviews

Temptations

5 star:		(47)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I love this book and I am grateful that Otis Williams wrote it. But I strongly suggest to all Motown fans to do your own research and read other books because things don't add up with Otis's version of the Temptations. I am not calling the man a liar because I admire him and I think he believes his own story, but I feel that he's trying to add importance to himself by taking away from David, Paul (my favorite), Eddie, Dennis and even Melvin. I didn't like the way he protrayed any of them. Yes, its true that David, Paul, Dennis and Eddie had both ego and personal problems, but I am sure that Otis had his demons too. In fact, from what I hear he wasn't the best person either. But he doesn't show that side to you in his book. The only bad thing he admits to is cheating on his wife and at times, I felt like he was bragging about his relationships with certain women. Although he was kinder to his friend Melvin, he protrayed Melvin as a follower and not a leader. I wonder why? One of the most disturbing tales in his book is about Paul's drinking problem. Its true that he had a problem, but Otis doesn't really talk about Paul's bout with Sickle Cell which made his problem even worst. Also Paul's "suicide" his rather strange and things don't add up (but do the research). I also found it odd that he didn't talk alot about how Berry G. ran Motown and why alot of the artists lived terrible lives after their Motown's glory years and why most died broke. By now, everyone knows that Berry was a cheat, but Otis seems to forgive him more than he forgives his brothers. Part of the reason why they died so young has something to do with Berry. Now, I am not blaming Berry for everything. I have read books that put all the blame on Berry (which I don't agree with), but its doesn't take an expert to realize that the Motown story is mostly sad. We will never hear David, Paul, Eddie, and Melvin's side of the story...and that is why you shouldn't take this book as 100% fact. Maybe the still living Dennis will write his own version. Excellent book, but not perfect.

I have been a fan of the Temptations for years, but I have to admit that my loyalty is really to the classic lineup that made the Tempts a household name: Eddie Kendrick, David Ruffin, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin and Otis Williams. Not to slight the other singers who have been a part of the group, but these guys always have been my favorites.

Otis Williams' book, TEMPTATIONS, is an interesting read, but really left me wanting to know what the other side of the coin was like. Even though Otis had his own view of what happened with the group (and I'm not implying that he wasn't entitled to that), the trouble is, with the exception of Melvin, the other members were depicted as talented men but troubled individuals with bad attitudes. According to Otis, he and Melvin were the sensible ones in the group while Eddie, Paul, David and later on, Dennis Edwards, were always the ones that were causing confusion. For every complimentary thing Otis would say about them, he'd follow it with something negative. I noticed that he did the same thing with certain members of the group that followed after the originals left as well. That mini-series that aired about four years ago that was based on this book only backed up his so-called belief that "No man is bigger than the group" (which was supposedly also Berry Gordy's belief - laughable, to say the least) and made him to look like the sane hero in a world filled with people running amok. No man is bigger than the group? Well, isn't this just what Otis has done by writing this book? Hasn't he made himself the be-all and end -all when it comes to finding out the history of the Tempts? No man is bigger than the group? Yeah, okay, whatever.

In the updated version of this book, Otis also implies that he can now say things that he couldn't write in the first edition, which was when Eddie and David were still alive. Why is that? That statement in itself makes Otis' version of events sound extremely suspect. There is only one way for me to interpret this, and that is that someone was not telling the complete truth - not then, and not now. This is why it is difficult for me to believe what Otis added in his book: that he visited Eddie in the hospital right before he died and that the two of them made their peace with each other. Maybe it's true, maybe it isn't - but we'll never know.

This is the Temptations' story through the eyes of Otis Williams, the remaining surviving original group member who seems to revel in that distinction. It's obvious that he now uses this to his advantage as his claim to fame, since he didn't possess anywhere near the talent of his so-called "brothers". Yes, it's his story, and yes, he was there but it's not THE story. I'm tired of hearing about how the Tempts was "Otis' group". It does well to remember that the formation and achievements of this legendary group was the dream and brainchild of FIVE men, not just ONE, so it's only logical that they ALL had a stake in their success. Otis seemingly has trouble recalling exactly how things transpired, and not only with the Temptations, either - after reading this, check out Patti Labelle's book "Don't Block the Blessings" where she talks about Otis, and you'll get the idea.

Unfortunately Ruffin, Kendrick, Franklin and Paul Williams are no longer here to tell their side, but I feel someone will be able to write a truly unbiased story about this legendary group one day. (Dennis, are you listening??) But I still do recommend this, but don't accept it as the gospel truth. Remember, there is more than one side to a story. At the time it was written, Ruffin and Kendrick were still with us, and I wish we could've known what their opinions were of this book, and how they felt about it.

I thought the book was exceptionally short for a body of work lasting 45 years. Great pictures though.

I had some major problems with the writing itself. It's like 45 years went by in a blur and he was an observer and not a participant.

He didn't seem to take much interest in his bandmates, there's very little known about Eddie, Paul, David and Melvin. For a man with the inside track, very little is revealed. The book seems to be more about him and not the Temptations.

He seemed also to forget certain facts, like, David was indeed married when he started seeing Tammi Terrell. When she announced that she and David were engaged back in the early sixties, is when she found out David was already married and couldn't marry her. (This also around the time her headaches started.) I don't what the relationship between Geena and Otis is/was, but for him to leave her and Davids' son out of the book was wrong, totally wrong. He acknowledged the others' wives, why not Geena?

Another thing that disturbed me was Otis' "my way or the highway" attitude toward his group members. Truly adolescent behavior. When he wasn't scouting out women, he was scouting out new talent. (But I guess in his mind it's the same thing). ,"just in case so and so doesn't work out", seems to me, he was waiting on the inevitable. He comes off as arrogant and overbearing. "No one man's bigger than the group." Like Eddie said in the movie, "Who is the group for, who did "it" make sacrifies for?"

OTIS, knows good and well, that he and Melvin could not have carried the group on their own. Eddie, Paul, and David didn't need "the group", as much as "the group" needed them. David and Eddie saw the writing on the wall between Barry and Otis, well before hand and did the smart thing and got out. I wish Paul had as well, alive. Otis should have thought more of his "brothers" and fought for them. He waited too long. Too bad he used the book to trash them when they're not here to defend themselves.

With three ex-wives and 15 ex-Temps on the roster, maybe it would do Otis good to look inside himself and not place blame everywhere or to everyone.

Paul and Eddie brought style and sophistication and experience. As well as their voices. David, brought the fire and raw sex appeal they needed. (They were their most productive after David's arrival. And last, but not least, Melvin, with that bottom drawer, under the floor bass. There's no one else like him. Have to give Dennis his "props" too. He may not be an original Temp, but because of him, they got their first of many Grammys to come.

Otis should be more greatful, he and Eddie forged a supergroup we'll never see again. He's not one-fifth as talented as his current or original band-mates. If he could sing, we'd know about it. His inflated ego wouldn't let us forget. He's a man that needed a group and he got one. Each man brought with him his own set of baggage, but they were the best.

They will be missed through out time.

Thanks for the music, guys, Where ever you are, (we know you're together) take a bow. We love you.

Update:Everybody, check out YouTube. There is long lost interview with Eddie Kendricks, a few months before his death. He looks great. He talks about his experiences with the group, Motown, his final decision to leave the Tempts. I hadn't realized he desired to leave the group in 1965, when they were still the "hitless Tempts", because of things he found improper(probably Berrys' accounting practices). Eddie Kendricks fans will find the interview interesting because you can hear it in his own voice. What a voice.

Read the book, saw the movie. Otis has memories that have probably been clouded with the passage of time. I do remember watching Eddie and Dennis Edwards on Donny Simpson's BET show a number of years ago shortly after Otis' book was first published. Donny asked Eddie about Otis' memories of Paul's spirit visiting him one night and the subsequent discussion Otis had with Eddie regarding Paul's spirit. Not only had Eddie not read the book, Eddie said the conversation with Otis never took place. If Paul's spirit was to have visited anyone, it would have been Eddie given that they had been best friends since childhood and Eddie named his son after Paul. Just food for thought.

I just want to start out by saying that I'm not trying to pass any judgment on Otis Williams, however I was a little disappointed with how his book about the Temptations was written.

First all no one is perfect and we all make mistakes, not to condone the negative actions of some of the members of the group, but I feel like Otis tries to make himself and Melvin seem so perfect.

I don't care what anyone says it took all five of them to make that group as successful as it is. I feel that Otis takes way too much credit for the groups success.

Just like David says in the movie "Nobody was coming to the concerts to see Otis" Let's keep it real. I know if I was able to see the Temptations back then I wouldn't have been going to see Otis. Nobody can touch the classic Five, that line up were the true temptations, the replacements are not the real thing in my opinion.

Also I would like to point out that I read an interview where someone interviewed David Ruffin's Older brother Jimmy, and according to Jimmy he himself was originally asked to be in the group but Jimmy declined and he talked David into joining the group. In the movie David asks to be in the group.

The book was interesting but I don't understand why there were so many things different in the book verses the movie. However even in the movie Otis and Melvin come across as the "Good guys"

Another thing that I didn't like about the book was how Otis felt the need to change certain things he said about David and Eddie in the book after David and Eddie died. The way I see it is if you could not say it when they were alive then you shouldn't be saying it now, it's so unfair.

So in closing I just want to tell people to take this book with a grain of salt because this book doesn't seem to be totally true and the rest of the classic members are not here to defend themselves.

The video stores can't keep the movie in stock. I purchased the last copy just yesterday from one of our Blockbusters. Prior to that I've repeatedly rented the movie. I've viewed it atleast 30 times and could watch it once every day. All of the actors were excellent! But LEON's performance as David Ruffin totally blew me away. I had to look at an actual photo of Ruffin to remember what he looked like after LEON's performance. I actually saw the Temps perform at Western University in Illinois just after Dennis Edwards joined the group (1969/70). For me, there are only 5 that I consider Temps--Paul, Otis, David, Eddie & Melvin. I wish the movie had given more attention to Eddie Kendricks, especially his death from lung cancer. Now I am in search of the book by Williams and Romanowski. It needs to be put back in print.

After searching hell and high water, I finally got my hands on this book---it's not the hardcover, but who cares. I noticed in some of the other reviews that people were asking where they could find a copy---check your public library; that's where I finally got a hold of a copy. I was not disappointed. I was pleased with the way Otis told the story; he didn't make himself out to be the good guy. I purchased the movie several months ago and I watch a portion of it every night--my sixteen year old daughter thinks I'm crazy. After reading the book I got a somewhat better feel of the torment Paul was going through. I just wish that someway, somehow he could have been helped. When he sang, you could almost hear him pleading for help. His death was such a tragic lose of talent and life. Almost everyone seems to think that David Ruffin was the greatest singer of all time. He could blow alright, however, I recently purchased the "With a Lot O' Soul" cd and the last song on it is "Don't Send Me Away" led by Otis. It blew me away. It's one of those songs we used to slow dance to in the basement of someones home at a party. Otis' voice is so clear with an angelic quality---no riffs, no screaming. If you've heard it before, but not in awhile; I'd suggest listening to it again, if you've not heard it you might want to get it--I think you'll be glad you did. In February, the Temptations will be coming to my home town to do a concert. I've got my tickets and can hardly wait. Even though it's not the original line up, I'm just as excited. As long as Otis is singing, they will still be "The Temptations".

To the reader who was upset about the photo in the book of Paul Williams and the unidentified woman sitting on his lap: that was Paul's wife in the picture with him, not just some groupie. The real shame of it all is that Otis did not have the decency to identify her as such, but only as "a friend". If Otis was as close to Paul as he claimed to be, I'm quite sure he would have known what his wife looked like.

I love the Tempts...HoF to be precise. My favorite is Eddie, followed by Paul, then David, then Dennis.

Let me just say. The only ones who know everything that went on in the Tempts were the Tempts, yet this book, for me, left a lot to be desired. This definitely isn't my favorite Motown book. I agree with those, on Amazon.com and off, who say that this book negatively portrayed David and Eddie. For example, there is a passage that relays a meeting during the Reunion tour. Apparently the Motown exec in charge of the meeting didn't really care at all for the Tempts at this stage in their career...but you wouldn't have known that until AFTER you read about David and Eddie seemingly flying off the handle for no apparent reason. It appeared as if all the author could recall was David and Eddie's "fits of anger," and couldn't remember what set them off. Yeah, sure... I took it as, the author (either Otis or Romanowski) wanted to paint Eddie and David as spoiled stars. There were too many holes in the passage for me to think otherwise. And then a couple of sentences later, he looks back, and says he wishes that he had joined Eddie and David. Could this mean that they weren't the egotists that they are painted to be? Hmm???

Before I close, I want to comment on the updated chapter. I wonder if Otis realized what he said. In the updated chapter, he implies-actually he basically states--that now that the others are gone, he can say what he wants. He states that in '88, he held stuff back. Is there really more than one way to interpret this??? He talks about how weak Eddie's voice was during the Reunion show...yet in the first addition, he says that "Eddie did his job beautifully." Which is it, Mr. Williams??? Similar statements are made about David. My thing is this, what's the point in bringing it up over ten years after they died?? Who is it helping to hear you backtrack some information? Also, reading that made me wonder about the part he tells about the last time he spoke with Eddie (before his passing). Only Otis, Eddie, and God know if that really went down, but I do have to question his bashing of Eddie's voice in 2002 and then writing about his last communication w/him.

I give it three stars---mainly for the pictures. I don't particularly care for this book. I take issue w/plenty of it. I don't know anymore than most, but there are some things that do not seem to jive with me.

Oh, and I think it's about time that we acknowledge that the Temptations were a merging of two groups: the Primes and the Distants. It wasn't the dream of one man...but of five. Especially given the vocal talent of the said one man. Eddie ("he brought a half, and I brought a half"--Eddie himself said this phrase) considered it a merger and that is much more gracious and giving than one man, sole founder/creator of the group.

Like I said, the pics are good. Except for one. Given the impression of a certain original Tempt given in the book (and the movie for that matter), they really could have found a better shot. I'm sure Big O had better pictures. Read the book and you'll see which one I mean.

Read it to see a original Tempt's view...but DEFINITELY don't take it as gospel.

I enjoyed the 1998 movie of "The Temptations". I grew up in the 60's therefore not really into R&B at that time, but now, I appreciate the music so much that I feel each member really put alot of effort into making the group a success. Aside from the downfalls that the group suffered, I would like to know what really happened to Eddie Kendricks. From the tabloids to rumors Eddie died from a drug overdose. The character (Terron) who played Eddie mostly had a cigarette in his hand if you noticed and it was also mentioned in the movie that it was lung cancer that caught Eddie - so I am confused as to Eddie's death. I was disappointed as to why Eddie and David did not have a funeral in the movie. I most of all enjoyed Eddie's music as I was growing up in the 70's and I miss him dearly. I would like to write to the character who portrayed Eddie and let him know that his character was played to perfection and that he does have some identical features like Eddie. May God bless the familes of the Temptations who have lost their love ones.