How Did The Temptations Influence Music And Culture

The Tempting Temptations With classy dance moves, creative costumes, and smooth vocals, the Temptations were a popular music group during the 1960s. The small group from Detroit had a huge impact on modern society from addressing social issues such as racial injustice, to revolutionizing rhythm and blues music. As a group of five young men, the Temptations began their careers in Motown music where they became an influential quintet that changed the music and culture of the 1960s.

Members of the Temptations

Over time, members of the Temptations changed and evolved, with many diverse musicians coming and going. Paul Williams, Otis Williams, David Ruffin, Melvin Franklin, and Eddie Kendricks are considered to be the original members of the band,

In their early years, the Temptations were a polished live performance with original dance moves and classic voices. Their dances was choreographed by Cholly Atkins, an experienced choreographer. “He perfected a style later called “vocal choreography”... Atkins had the raw material to make his routines more intricate than ever. His system was demanding. Otis Williams later said that learning an Atkins dance routine for a new act might take two or three weeks of rehearsing five or six hours a day” (Cox 37). This type of dancing became very popular with the public and many consider it to be the Temptations’

With hits like “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg”, “The Way You Do the Things You Do”, “My Girl”, and “Cloud Nine”, the Temptations gained recognition and popularity (Cox 16. 36. 54, 81-82). Motown Records was hitting its prime during the 1960s and the Temptations were some of their most important artists. This lead to the Temptations producing hit after hit, with most songs reaching the top 40 on the soul and pop music charts. Saddly, the Temptations popularity declined during the 1970s, with only a few songs making the charts. In 1989, however, “... the Temptations were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland” (Cox 87). Later, the Temptations’ “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” was featured in the film “The Big Chill” (Cox 81-82). Even though the Temptations’ music lost its groove towards the end of their careers, their songs remain as powerful as ever; their true sound untainted by the passage of