Post by Chris on Aug 26, 2005 17:04:53 GMT -5
Ex-Temptations singer bringing
Motown magic to the MillCity
By ANDREW RAVENS, Sun Staff
Click here to listen to sample.......
LOWELL -- He once dated Diana Ross.
He taught his cousin, the late Melvin Franklin, the Temptations' legendary bass singer, how to sing.
And he's pretty good on the mike himself.
Richard Street, an influential figure in Detroit Motown history, brings his act to Boarding House Park on Friday in the latest installment of the Lowell Summer Music Series.
Street, who was the lead singer of The Temptations from 1971 to 1995, is now backed by four other talented doo-woppers who sing all of Motown's classic hits, like “My Girl,” “Papa Was a Rollin'
Stone,” and “Ain't Too Proud to Beg.”
The 62-year-old Detroit native now lives in Corona, Calif., an hour east of Los Angeles. He began singing professionally at age 14 in city nightclubs -- venues where, Street says, “I wasn't supposed to be.”
To practice, Street sang with girlfriend Ross, who lived in the Detroit housing projects. He typically joined Ross and future Supremes members Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson to make music that would eventually sell millions of records.
And it all began in the projects. Back then, Street had to take three buses from his home to get there.
“Oh, I always looked forward to going over there,” says Street. “We would just sing and rehearse. Eventually, one thing led to another.”
Street's sweet voice eventually led to stints with several bands, including the Distants and the Monitors.
In 1963, Motown President Berry Gordy hired him as a quality-control producer, where he often lent his tenor voice to new vocal tracks.
When Street joined the Temptations, the group began tackling social issues, and their landmark “Papa Was a Rollin' Stone” earned the band three Grammy Awards.
Now, he's joined by Detroit natives Clayton Hooker, Terrence Forsythe, Terrence Horn and Larry Johnson. The act is touring as “Richard Street, lead singer of The Temptations ‘71-'95.”
The quintet just returned from a tour that included stops in Japan and England.
Despite his age and prior health problems -- he survived a blood clot in his lungs five years ago and underwent hip replacement surgery -- Street keeps touring.
Even the constant threat of terrorism and the events of Sept. 11, when the group was stuck for seven days in Amsterdam, do not sway them from visiting all corners of the world.
“That was the most horrifying feeling in my life -- that I couldn't come home,” says Street, describing what it was like to be trapped on Sept. 11. “Now, we are always aware when we travel, but that's my job, that's my life. There's no use in being scared now.”
Street did not always have his eyes set on a musical career.
His first love was sports, especially hockey, which was very popular in Detroit with the great Gordie Howe and his championship Red Wings teams.
Street, in fact, played hockey in his teens and was one of very few African-Americans to do so.
“My friends used to say, ‘You're playing what!?' “ says Street, who was a goalie and a center.
Street, who certainly has had a lengthy career, can't quite recall if he's ever played Lowell before, but has a hunch that he has. He's very excited to play outdoors and says he looks forward to tasting New England's famous seafood.
“You guys got lobsters, right?” he chuckled. “And clam chowder.”
We sure do.
Motown magic to the MillCity
By ANDREW RAVENS, Sun Staff
Click here to listen to sample.......
LOWELL -- He once dated Diana Ross.
He taught his cousin, the late Melvin Franklin, the Temptations' legendary bass singer, how to sing.
And he's pretty good on the mike himself.
Richard Street, an influential figure in Detroit Motown history, brings his act to Boarding House Park on Friday in the latest installment of the Lowell Summer Music Series.
Street, who was the lead singer of The Temptations from 1971 to 1995, is now backed by four other talented doo-woppers who sing all of Motown's classic hits, like “My Girl,” “Papa Was a Rollin'
Stone,” and “Ain't Too Proud to Beg.”
The 62-year-old Detroit native now lives in Corona, Calif., an hour east of Los Angeles. He began singing professionally at age 14 in city nightclubs -- venues where, Street says, “I wasn't supposed to be.”
To practice, Street sang with girlfriend Ross, who lived in the Detroit housing projects. He typically joined Ross and future Supremes members Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson to make music that would eventually sell millions of records.
And it all began in the projects. Back then, Street had to take three buses from his home to get there.
“Oh, I always looked forward to going over there,” says Street. “We would just sing and rehearse. Eventually, one thing led to another.”
Street's sweet voice eventually led to stints with several bands, including the Distants and the Monitors.
In 1963, Motown President Berry Gordy hired him as a quality-control producer, where he often lent his tenor voice to new vocal tracks.
When Street joined the Temptations, the group began tackling social issues, and their landmark “Papa Was a Rollin' Stone” earned the band three Grammy Awards.
Now, he's joined by Detroit natives Clayton Hooker, Terrence Forsythe, Terrence Horn and Larry Johnson. The act is touring as “Richard Street, lead singer of The Temptations ‘71-'95.”
The quintet just returned from a tour that included stops in Japan and England.
Despite his age and prior health problems -- he survived a blood clot in his lungs five years ago and underwent hip replacement surgery -- Street keeps touring.
Even the constant threat of terrorism and the events of Sept. 11, when the group was stuck for seven days in Amsterdam, do not sway them from visiting all corners of the world.
“That was the most horrifying feeling in my life -- that I couldn't come home,” says Street, describing what it was like to be trapped on Sept. 11. “Now, we are always aware when we travel, but that's my job, that's my life. There's no use in being scared now.”
Street did not always have his eyes set on a musical career.
His first love was sports, especially hockey, which was very popular in Detroit with the great Gordie Howe and his championship Red Wings teams.
Street, in fact, played hockey in his teens and was one of very few African-Americans to do so.
“My friends used to say, ‘You're playing what!?' “ says Street, who was a goalie and a center.
Street, who certainly has had a lengthy career, can't quite recall if he's ever played Lowell before, but has a hunch that he has. He's very excited to play outdoors and says he looks forward to tasting New England's famous seafood.
“You guys got lobsters, right?” he chuckled. “And clam chowder.”
We sure do.
