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Post by Motorcity on Dec 26, 2005 13:57:18 GMT -5
I've heard about the Marvelettes, Gladys Knight and the Pips, the Isley Brothers, etc and even Marvin Gaye. But why the Tempts; why would the most successful male group during Motown's heyday and their heyday feel like outsiders?
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Post by timmy84 on Feb 10, 2006 22:54:40 GMT -5
Hmmm, I think I get what you're saying but it doesn't seem clear to me... are you saying that during their and the label's heyday that they felt left out? Maybe it's because most of them, like the ones you mentioned, didn't kiss Berry's a$$ as much as it was kissed, if you know what I mean? I mean, I think it was only Otis Williams who kissed Berry's butt but the rest of the guys (the originals and the ones who are part of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-inducted group) like Eddie, Paul, Melvin, David, and Dennis were too much themselves to even get the extra oomph by the label and maybe it's because of this that they were more slighted. If we were to believe what happened back then should've happened then all Motown was was the Supremes and Smokey Robinson or some ish, you know? Does that answer your question? LOL
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Post by Diamond Girl on Feb 10, 2006 23:35:18 GMT -5
Hmmm, I think I get what you're saying but it doesn't seem clear to me... are you saying that during their and the label's heyday that they felt left out? Maybe it's because most of them, like the ones you mentioned, didn't kiss Berry's a$$ as much as it was kissed, if you know what I mean? I mean, I think it was only Otis Williams who kissed Berry's butt but the rest of the guys (the originals and the ones who are part of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-inducted group) like Eddie, Paul, Melvin, David, and Dennis were too much themselves to even get the extra oomph by the label and maybe it's because of this that they were more slighted. If we were to believe what happened back then should've happened then all Motown was was the Supremes and Smokey Robinson or some ish, you know? Does that answer your question? LOL Yeah, that's what I'm saying. The Temptations also felt like they didn't receive the same support, promotion, or attention as Smokey and Di and the groups they were a part of, inadvertently. It was like all the Temptations did, they did on their own. The more I remember, the more I understand. All you heard were the Supremes and Smokey and whomever was hot at the time. But we, back then, we knew who the true singers were and who would be getting our dollars. I remember some family of mine, said they were told the Supremes refused to go on in their smaller city and you know who ended up closing, li'l Stevie! Always think about things like that, or the times the Tempts would be the last ones around signing autographs and sharing a word or two with you. You don't forget things like that. You know if anyone needed a breather, it was the Tempts, or the Marvelettes (BIG in Philly) the Contours, yet they'd be there or wave to you or something. It made them more tangible you know. We like to think we have or own a piece of our stars, and those small actions let us feel that way. Now, everywhere I turn, I'm reading and learning more and more about how the Tempts were pretty much ignored and left to their own devices. Thanks to Paul and Eddie, they became an institution. They owned the sixties in all genres, no group was more succesful. Yet, they were doing it all alone, getting lyrics, not songs; pretty much poems and that was it. Shows the talent of these men, Paul and Eddie, and when Davis came in; it was the perfect fit. Neither had much success without the other, much less before they got together. Like Berry and 'em didn't care either way..................UNTIL, the fake frauds needed a Black, oops, I mean urban following. Why three Black girls, well two at that time, from the "projects" of Detroit needed anyone else to appeal to the Black audience is a mystery to me (well it's not really). But that's when he wanted to make them over. And I believe that was the sign for them, well the flashing sign. How were they making the Supremes marketable and getting nothing? The Tempts were thought out by Paul, the image made by he and Eddie and their vocal coaching made Melvin what he was and Otis what they could make of him, thus THE group. Davis added his piece. And other than adding a member and then firing him, from the group and label (then bringing him back) Motown and it's so-called genius execs didn't give a crap about the greatest group they produced. There were a lot of great singers, but the Temptations, together, had the total package.
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Post by Diamond Girl on Feb 10, 2006 23:40:09 GMT -5
Dang, I got a tad long-winded :mygosh: But Tim, I thought there'd be more responses before I let loose
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Post by timmy84 on Feb 11, 2006 18:40:53 GMT -5
Great response, FunKSisteR. And I agree, I'm actually amazed that it seemed while the Miracles & the Supremes were getting all their support from Berry Gordy, the Temptations, Gladys Knight & the Pips & the Four Tops pretty much got what they want by working hard and getting it. I had no idea that they were pretty much ignored at Motown, it put things at a better perspective knowing that the Temptations were one of the most soulful, funky and grittiest groups/acts Motown ever had. It's amazing what they accomplished.
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Kay
Star
*~*Floever A Star*~*
Posts: 1,326
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Post by Kay on Feb 11, 2006 19:01:33 GMT -5
None of them were sucking up to Berry as hard as Diana or Smokey which is why they had to do alot of other things for themselves. They were smart to appoint a role to each member because Berry certainly wasn't gonna provide a checklist for 'em :frustration:
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Post by fantagurl on Feb 12, 2006 13:29:37 GMT -5
Hmmm, I think I get what you're saying but it doesn't seem clear to me... are you saying that during their and the label's heyday that they felt left out? Maybe it's because most of them, like the ones you mentioned, didn't kiss Berry's a$$ as much as it was kissed, if you know what I mean? I mean, I think it was only Otis Williams who kissed Berry's butt but the rest of the guys (the originals and the ones who are part of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-inducted group) like Eddie, Paul, Melvin, David, and Dennis were too much themselves to even get the extra oomph by the label and maybe it's because of this that they were more slighted. If we were to believe what happened back then should've happened then all Motown was was the Supremes and Smokey Robinson or some ish, you know? Does that answer your question? LOL Yeah, that's what I'm saying. The Temptations also felt like they didn't receive the same support, promotion, or attention as Smokey and Di and the groups they were a part of, inadvertently. It was like all the Temptations did, they did on their own. The more I remember, the more I understand. All you heard were the Supremes and Smokey and whomever was hot at the time. But we, back then, we knew who the true singers were and who would be getting our dollars. I remember some family of mine, said they were told the Supremes refused to go on in their smaller city and you know who ended up closing, li'l Stevie! Always think about things like that, or the times the Tempts would be the last ones around signing autographs and sharing a word or two with you. You don't forget things like that. You know if anyone needed a breather, it was the Tempts, or the Marvelettes (BIG in Philly) the Contours, yet they'd be there or wave to you or something. It made them more tangible you know. We like to think we have or own a piece of our stars, and those small actions let us feel that way. Now, everywhere I turn, I'm reading and learning more and more about how the Tempts were pretty much ignored and left to their own devices. Thanks to Paul and Eddie, they became an institution. They owned the sixties in all genres, no group was more succesful. Yet, they were doing it all alone, getting lyrics, not songs; pretty much poems and that was it. Shows the talent of these men, Paul and Eddie, and when Davis came in; it was the perfect fit. Neither had much success without the other, much less before they got together. Like Berry and 'em didn't care either way..................UNTIL, the fake frauds needed a Black, oops, I mean urban following. Why three Black girls, well two at that time, from the "projects" of Detroit needed anyone else to appeal to the Black audience is a mystery to me (well it's not really). But that's when he wanted to make them over. And I believe that was the sign for them, well the flashing sign. How were they making the Supremes marketable and getting nothing? The Tempts were thought out by Paul, the image made by he and Eddie and their vocal coaching made Melvin what he was and Otis what they could make of him, thus THE group. Davis added his piece. And other than adding a member and then firing him, from the group and label (then bringing him back) Motown and it's so-called genius execs didn't give a crap about the greatest group they produced. There were a lot of great singers, but the Temptations, together, had the total package. That was Berry and Motown for ya. When you were hot and bringing them cash you were in.When you weren`t hot they drop you like a bad habit. Sad :no:
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Post by Emerald City on Feb 12, 2006 17:06:57 GMT -5
Gladys Knight did say something to the effect of; if you weren't the Supremes then you weren't anybody. Can't blame the Temptations for feeling pretty much like everybody else because there were those moments when Gordy didn't focus his energy on people who deserved it and after awhile the Tempts figured out how to play his game. You can't deny that their work ethics make them that much greater than a lot of other groups :luvyababe:
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Post by Emerald City on Feb 12, 2006 17:09:35 GMT -5
Dang, I got a tad long-winded Not long winded at all...just straight to the point :givemesome:
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Post by fantagurl on Feb 13, 2006 16:53:56 GMT -5
Gladys Knight did say something to the effect of; if you weren't the Supremes then you weren't anybody. Can't blame the Temptations for feeling pretty much like everybody else because there were those moments when Gordy didn't focus his energy on people who deserved it and after awhile the Tempts figured out how to play his game. You can't deny that their work ethics make them that much greater than a lot of other groups I remember reading in Gladys`s book that when some of the artists had meetings about what was going on(shady dealings,artists not being treated fair, the money,and so on) Motown would send spies to go back and report who said what. And also Marvin stated that Berry like to pit various artists against one another. How sad!! :no:
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Post by timmy84 on Feb 13, 2006 17:49:04 GMT -5
Marvin knows exactly what the hell he was talking about. Berry actually liked to start trouble and then would act like the "peacemaker" when he really instigated most of that shady ish. :no:
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Post by fantagurl on Feb 13, 2006 21:43:57 GMT -5
Marvin knows exactly what the hell he was talking about. Berry actually liked to start trouble and then would act like the "peacemaker" when he really instigated most of that shady ish. Timmy have you read the book Motown,Berry,and Me by Berry`s ex-wife Raymonna(I think that`s her name)? Anyway she said that one day Marvin stormed into Berry`s office and demanded his money(I`m guessing that Marvin looked into his account and saw the little money that he had) he swung at Berry and they had a fist fight. Marvin didn`t play when it came down to his money that he worked hard for.
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Post by timmy84 on Feb 14, 2006 12:34:41 GMT -5
No, BUT I did hear that Marvin & Berry physically got at it! Marvin didn't play that money bullsh*t with BG, he let a nicca know! LOL!
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Post by Emerald City on Feb 14, 2006 18:55:39 GMT -5
Close ((fantagurl)) her name was Raynoma And what cracked me up ya'll was the fight between Berry and Marvin on the lawn in front of Hitsville...if only I could have seen that one :lol: But what all the artists should have considered doing was a minor boycott so that they could get their money....the Hitsville Stable vs Berry. It's not as if he could have kept the company going without the workers
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Post by fantagurl on Feb 14, 2006 20:51:32 GMT -5
No, BUT I did hear that Marvin & Berry physically got at it! Marvin didn't play that money bullsh*t with BG, he let a nicca know! LOL! :lol:
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