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Post by Queenie on May 31, 2004 6:52:16 GMT -5
Board,,,
Does anyone know why the 4 tempts were suspicions of David joining the group?? I don't get this many articles I read the men complained David was looking for a big hit and once he accomplished he was going move to a single artist. Why all the complaints from the men, it was not like the group had number one hits.
Which one knew David prior to David becoming a Tempt??
Also on the same lines, I think the men excluding Eddie thought David was a threat in many ways. For example, David became the lead singer instead of background singer. I know it had to bruised Paul’s ego because David was supposes to be a background singer.
The attention David was receiving from fans, producers, and de-jays. I think this played a big part in the men’s ego as well. Eddie was secured on his talent and looks therefore he did not need the fans for approval. On the other hand, Paul, O, and Melvin had a problem with David and the spotlight David was getting all the attention. Not bad for guy who wore glasses tall and skinny.
David and Eddie’s relationship was a problem to the other members in the group. David and Eddie were hanging out due to their situations and Paul felt like an outsider. Paul wanted things to go back when the group first started he was the go to guy. In my opinion, I think it was Paul was start the to get rid of David campaign he had the most too lose. Eddie enjoyed David present despite David’s personal problems.
O and Melvin were there for the ride they did not care who sung lead as long as the bills were being paid.
By saying all of this, I don’t think David missing shows and drug problems caused him to be let go by the other four men. To me it was a clear case of jealousy. David was getting all the attention and they were not going to have that!!!!
My two cents thoughts,,,,
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LittleGreenApples
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Take a good look and you'll see...What this loneliness is doing to me...
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Post by LittleGreenApples on Jun 1, 2004 20:02:07 GMT -5
I haven't read anywhere that Poopie aka Paul was jealous of David. I do however recall Otis publishing that Eddie was suspicious of David. He stated in the book that Eddie felt that David was using the group as a launch to a solo career. But, who believes Otis, right?
It is true that Paul appeared to be the original lead singer, but I have read in both Otis' and Genna's memoirs that Paul and David were extremely close and non competitive; not as close as Paul and Eddie, but very close. Even Stevie Wonder eluded to the fact that Paul and David were tight. Neither Paul nor Eddie got many leads after Ruff established a few hits at lead, so I can't see how one would be jealous and the other wouldn't. Paul was a group man and in most cases Eddie was also, they all have and had numerous fans and appreciation from those in the industry. Neither Paul nor Eddie were petitioning for David to leave the group, that came from the HNIC, Gordy. They both were strong armed into signing the "pink slip".
Paul projected himself as a confident man and member of the group, confident in his appeal and vocal and performing prowess; he appeared to be happy for not only Eddie and David but also Melvin and even Otis in the beginning. Paul's voice was considered too soulful or bluesy for pop America; that is according to Gordy. David had the pop appeal, nothing against his incredible talent. The only time I noticed a change was after David was relieved of his services. I can't see that as a group decision; it seems to be accepting the inevitable coming from the higher ups, namely Gordy.
According to the various articles and books that I have read; all of the men knew David, he and Melvin were related, Otis reports that he lived near him with his brother, Jimmy, and Eddie stated that Ruffin used to travel with them, playing drums and standing in and such, before Al was removed from the group.
David's inner demons and inconsiderate behavior were the basis for his suggested removal. At that time, the Temptations were still Gordy's group, so nothing happened without his directive. David had apparently missed one too many shows, the last being the one in which Berry was present. Otis may want the fans to believe it was his and the groups' say so, but that is plain ridiculous! He gained control when the last original lead left, Paul "Poopie" Williams Sr.
Paul may not have seemed to be getting the same shine as Ruff, but he was secure in his talent and did have a large fan base also. Reportedly, Paul didn't have a jealous bone in his body. And especially not against his close friend and 'partner in crime', Davis Eli Ruffin, Sr. It was he and David that attended Eddie's first show together and performed together. That does not sound like a man jealous of David.
Sounds like a true friend to me.
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Post by Queenie on Jun 1, 2004 20:08:36 GMT -5
Welcome to the forum LittleGreenApples!!!
Thank you for your response....
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LittleGreenApples
Senior Ruffian
Take a good look and you'll see...What this loneliness is doing to me...
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Post by LittleGreenApples on Jun 1, 2004 20:11:12 GMT -5
Thanks
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Common
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Post by Common on Jun 2, 2004 15:33:06 GMT -5
QNDF, let's see where to start. First, I don't if it was 'suspicions' as much as they were reluctant to have David in the group because they felt that David would used the group to launch his solo career. Interesting, since the group had only one hit that didn't even crack the top 10 Pop( The Way You Do The Things You Do), & they kicked out Al Bryant, surely they couldn't afford to lose the momenteum that they started. Neither could they afford to lose BG's support & money that he had invested. So as far I see the situation, one hand washes the other. Second, it was suggested by higher ups & the insistance of BG's sister, Gwen, that David become a Tempt. Ritchie Hardin has this info on his site, a very well researched history on the Tempts before David came into group. He spoke to people who were actually there at the time & this is how things went down. It wasn't the infamous 'group vote' that got David in. As for the 'jealousy' issue, I definitely think there was more resentment than jealousy. As much as I am a fan of Paul's, I find it hard to believe that he didn't have any resentment to the fact that his leads literally dwindled to one or songs after Meet The Temptations. This group was billed as having '5 Lead Singers' yet the bulk of the leads went to David & Eddie. That would surely cause some type of friction. Melvin & O talked about this later on that that was part of the problems within the group. The fact that one or two people had the majority of the leads. This is despite the fact that it was well known that the producers & BG called the shots as to who would sing what. But it's easier to blame to the ones who are creating the hits! But David was acting a fool by missing shows(though I think it would be interesting to know how many did he miss) & rehearsals, in sense, David was almost asking to be fired. But I think the real catch was that David was making a whole lot of noise about where the money was going. This is hardly brought up. It was David who was the one who wanted Motown to open the books. O nem preferred to ride the wave & stay quiet. Yet, they were privately, according to Tony Turner, complaining about the money situation but David was the only one who spoke up.
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Common
Ultimate Ruffness
You Got To Feel It!
Posts: 7,442
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Post by Common on Jun 2, 2004 15:34:28 GMT -5
Welcome to the board LittleGreen Apples!
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Post by Queenie on Jun 2, 2004 16:23:35 GMT -5
Thank You Channel 5 reporter Common You have mention a mouth full how each member knew BG was not paying them worth they were worth but, when it came down to approaching BG they were invisible!!!
In part, David did some stupid things regarding missing shows and late rehearsals. My question is why the higher ups did put a stop to David's antics? Barry had the knot around David's neck by offering him a 7- year penniless contract If the Gordy's crew spend so much time in negotiating David to become a Tempt why not put same effort into keeping him in the group? BG could've paid David and Eddie more money considering they were the THE VOICES I don't think the rest would not object to the this considering they were passive in the first place.
Just 2 cents my thought!!!
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LittleGreenApples
Senior Ruffian
Take a good look and you'll see...What this loneliness is doing to me...
Posts: 115
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Post by LittleGreenApples on Jun 2, 2004 20:14:06 GMT -5
Welcome to the board LittleGreen Apples! Thanks, ((Common))
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molly
Ultimate Ruffness
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Post by molly on Jun 2, 2004 20:29:53 GMT -5
Welcome to The Palace LittleGreenApples :DMake yourself at home.
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LittleGreenApples
Senior Ruffian
Take a good look and you'll see...What this loneliness is doing to me...
Posts: 115
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Post by LittleGreenApples on Jun 2, 2004 22:23:28 GMT -5
Welcome to The Palace LittleGreenApples :DMake yourself at home. Thanks ((Molly))
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Post by BroMan on Jun 3, 2004 18:55:20 GMT -5
Welcume LittleGreenApples Lets me indroduce muyselve. BroMan Johnsen at yu survice. I am da Head of Secrity herre en da Palace. Iffen yu needs enythang jest lets me noe. I wil com runnin. Beleeve Dat! ;D ;D
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LittleGreenApples
Senior Ruffian
Take a good look and you'll see...What this loneliness is doing to me...
Posts: 115
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Post by LittleGreenApples on Jun 3, 2004 19:19:37 GMT -5
Welcume LittleGreenApples Lets me indroduce muyselve. BroMan Johnsen at yu survice. I am da Head of Secrity herre en da Palace. Iffen yu needs enythang jest lets me noe. I wil com runnin. Beleeve Dat! ;D ;D Thanks ((BroMan))
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Post by Davidfan on Jun 3, 2004 21:47:45 GMT -5
Hey nia ... What you doin' here at da palace? ... Nice of you to join us ;D ... Hope you like it here ;D
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Post by BeesNVMe on Jun 3, 2004 23:02:43 GMT -5
No wonder I can't find you BroMan...you not trying to get your mack on, are you? ;D You need to give me a holla!
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Post by BroMan on Jun 3, 2004 23:16:46 GMT -5
No wonder I can't find you BroMan...you not trying to get your mack on, are you? ;D You need to give me a holla! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;DAWww Mz.Bees yu noes makin iz en muy blood. It coms out witout me knowin. I guest I iz jest ah mak machin. ;D ;D ;D ;D But bak tu bidness. I needs ta rap wit yu two. Der iz ah desion ta be made. Yu iz da onliest one dat kin make it,but I wood lik ta giv muy enputs. I iz tired of givin warnins. I iz reedy foe acksion. Cuz ackions spek lauder den wurds. Folks iz taking muy wurds for jokes.an I aint playin. I aint no dam boy toy. Beleeve Dat!!!! Ah xample iz gonna hav ta be mad outta somebode. I needs sume hep wit sume hoewurk two.
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