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Post by FastNFancy on May 7, 2002 20:05:57 GMT -5
By LOGAN NEILL© St. Petersburg Times, published April 16, 1999 After 26 years as vocalist with the legendary R&B supergroup the Temptations, Richard Street says he is interested only in claiming what is rightfully his -- his identity. "I don't want to be imitating somebody, because I would only be imitating myself," Street offers by phone from Los Angeles. But you can sense that there is much more to it than that. He speaks of a deep artistic rift between himself and longtime partner Otis Williams, which forced him to leave the group four years ago. And he tells of animosity for former managers who cheated him and other members of the band out of earnings. And he tells of his struggle to keep his new group going in the face of legal squabbles which could make it impossible even to associate his name with his former ensemble. There are truths yet untold, he says, ones he plans to tell in an upcoming book about his life and times with the Temptations. But for now, Street, 57, wants only to tell his story through his music. He has put together a tribute group called the Temptations Review, a quintet he says captures the spirit of the original group more closely than the one that still performs under the name Temptations. "There is a history of excellence in the music that people just don't get when they see (the Temptations) today," he says. "I mean, they sound okay, if all people want to hear is the songs, but there's something missing, something deeper. And that's what we're trying to do." Street's passion for the Temptations goes back to its origins in 1955. A member of the Detroit doo-wop group the Distants, which included Williams as well as his cousin Melvin Franklin, Street left in 1959 to help form the Monitors. The other members eventually went on to record for the newly formed Motown label in 1962 as the Temptations. But Street always kept a hand in the band. Motown president Berry Gordy hired him as a sort of quality control producer, asking him to listen to recordings and occasionally lend his tenor to sweeten the vocal track. By 1969, the Temptations' silky, soulful harmonies made it the top R&B vocal group, with a string of pop chart toppers such as My Girl, I'm Losing You, Ain't Too Proud To Beg and Beauty Is Only Skin Deep. But by then, the wheels were beginning to work loose. A year prior, lead singer David Ruffin, unhappy with the group's sound, left for a solo career and was replaced by former Contours lead vocalist Dennis Edwards. In 1971, singer Eddie Kendricks left for a solo career as well. Tenor Paul Williams, suffering from the effects of alcohol abuse, was forced to quit (he later committed suicide), and Street was chosen as his replacement.
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Post by FastNFancy on May 7, 2002 20:07:42 GMT -5
"I just considered it returning to my rightful place," he says. "If things had been different early on, I would have been there from day one." The arrival of Street and new lead singer Edwards signaled a musical shift in direction. "We wanted to not just record love songs all the time," says Street. "We wanted to do some things that would also have a bigger impact." The next few years would find the Temptations tackling topical subjects such as the Vietnam War and urban poverty with songs such as Take A Look Around, Ball Of Confusion (What The World Is Today) and the landmark Papa Was A Rolling Stone, which earned the group three Grammy awards. But it wouldn't be until 1985's Treat Her Like A Lady that the Temptations found their way back onto the charts. Following the death of his cousin Melvin Franklin in 1995 of heart failure, Street felt it was time to go. Years of pent up animosity between him and Otis Williams, the group's only surviving original member, had taken its toll. But worse still, an accounting of the group's finances revealed that he and other members had been significantly underpaid by its management. Street said he'll address those accusations in an upcoming book he has tentatively titled, Ball Of Confusion. "All I know is that it was bad," he says. "And that's why I had to do something else with my life." While Street has spent most of his post-Temptations years as a producer for local Los Angeles-based artists, the desire to rekindle the Temptations flame remained strong. He and former Temptations lead singer Ali-Ollie Woodson formed the Temptations Review and hired singers Willie Green, Perry Moore and Chris Arnold to re-create the vocal excellence he considers paramount to the group's success. But he has no official rights to the Temptations name. It belongs to Williams, who last year won a court settlement against former lead singer Dennis Edwards and forced him to stop billing his own band the New Temptations. Williams has been exerting legal pressure to stop Street from doing the same. "We're fixing to iron all that out in the court," Street says. "But I'm not particularly hung up on trying to use the name. I just feel that after 30 years of being with the group, there should be some recognition for that."
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Post by FastNFancy on Jun 5, 2002 22:41:58 GMT -5
Does anyone have any insight as to why and when Richard Street left the Distants? I have never read or heard when and why he left the group. In the mini series, Al and Pee Wee voluntarily left. All of a sudden, there was no one left but Melvin and Otis, who were looking for someone to replace Al and Pee Wee. I heard that Richard was actually the one who got the Distants and Primes an audition at Motown because Richard had the hook-up because he was close to someone at Motown. I am awaiting Richard's book because he will be able to tell us how he got ousted and had to become a member of the Monitors.
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Post by SeainDennis on Jun 6, 2002 11:53:36 GMT -5
That's interesting. You know, it was never clear as to why Richard suddenly "left" the Distants. From what I read on Ritchie's site, he didn't seem to clear on that issue either. I think it goes without saying that there was always problems with that group during its inception & after they became successful. That part that has me chuckling was Richard's comment: Lord, how bad was it Richard? Dag! LOL! I can't wait for his book to come out. I wonder if he will also clear up the issue about whether Johnnie Mae Matthews ripped off the Distants' like O said she did, since he was still with her after O left her.
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Post by Baby girl on Mar 18, 2004 16:32:41 GMT -5
I just don't understand why any of this is important because Richard is now in his 60's and he needs to go ahead and let the past be the past and take care of his self. This is from someone who is very close to him and thinks that why he did things in the past are of no importance now.
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Post by Blondie on Mar 18, 2004 17:24:45 GMT -5
Maybe it is important to HIM - "Brother Richard Street". I'm sure to us - it is not that important, but maybe he wants to tell his story before he leaves here ya know? No disrespect for you or personal attack intended, I like ALL the TEMPS and RESPECT ALL THE TEMPS including Otis and Dennis. HOWEVER, I do feel that it has been kind of 'one-sided, -- seeing that David Ruffin, Eddie Kendrick, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin are all DEAD and the only VERSION we have of the Temptations Story is that of Otis Williams. The DEAD can not speak for themselves. I always wanted Richard Street to write a book because he was there from the BEGINNING... I think it only FAIR, that HE (((Brother Richard Street))) and if he takes a mind to do it (((Brother Dennis Edwards))) tell their story. I mean the Temps were not just made up of Otis and this is not to disrespect him or his members -- this is a REALITY... Because ALL OF THE FORMER TEMPS AIN'T DEAD... Peace and Blessings....
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Post by FastNFancy on Mar 18, 2004 23:36:44 GMT -5
Rap on sistah...rap on! I would be interested in hearing all 21 Tempts' stories.  To me it would be well worth the read. Everyone has a right to tell their story, but everyone does not have to read their story. It's all about choices! |
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Post by AsianTempfan on Mar 30, 2004 4:41:32 GMT -5
Yup, actually Richard Street's drifting from the group back in the 60's prior to the Temptations initial forming was because he had a girlfriend at the time and didn't know how to balance the time between the group and the lady in his life. So Otis had him kicked out eventually. And yes, I think he should really write a book. He was there from the start. He was with the Temps longer than any other man. Least through the more important years than Ron Tyson who is now in his 21st year of tenure with the Temps. Most of the Temps who have gone by now and are still alive have beef with Otis....... anyone know why? Anyway, Richard Street is touring with his new group (But it's not with Ali) in Europe. I dont know when they'll come back to tour out here but they're loved up there so I think they'll be there a little longer. Hopefully we can hear them. I know Richard, Dennis, Ali, and now Glenn Leonard now have their own groups. Anyone heard Richard's or Glenn's new group?
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Post by djuicy2003 on Jul 19, 2006 18:26:09 GMT -5
Hello, This message is for Perry Moore. You are so handsome. Are you married? I love your smile and luscious lips. Please give me perry moore. I look foward to hearing from you.
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Post by eizzie on Jul 23, 2006 16:32:16 GMT -5
Hello, This message is for Perry Moore. You are so handsome. Are you married? I love your smile and luscious lips. Please give me perry moore. I look foward to hearing from you. PERRY MOORE..........................YES, HE IS QUITE HANDSOME. PERRY IS MARRIED TO MISS PAT--AND HAS BEEN FOR ALMOST 18 YEARS. FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW WHO PERRY MOORE IS--TAKE A LOOK. sharemation.com/eizzie/perry2.jpg |
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Post by ckjabbbd on Jul 29, 2006 21:37:38 GMT -5
Richard needs to right a book so ever one will understand just what did happen to him when he stoped singing with the Temptations . And Maybe let us no just why Otis was the way he was with the guys.
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Post by RealTemptation Fan on Jul 30, 2006 0:58:11 GMT -5
Hello, This message is for Perry Moore. You are so handsome. Are you married? I love your smile and luscious lips. Please give me perry moore. I look foward to hearing from you. PERRY MOORE..........................YES, HE IS QUITE HANDSOME. PERRY IS MARRIED TO MISS PAT--AND HAS BEEN FOR ALMOST 18 YEARS. FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW WHO PERRY MOORE IS--TAKE A LOOK. sharemation.com/eizzie/perry2.jpgHow long as Dennis been married to Miss Brenda? |
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Post by Ch81 on May 8, 2008 11:21:45 GMT -5
He has every right to tell his side of the story, as do any of the other surviving former members. What's too bad is that the "Classic 5" line-up-Ruffin, Kendricks, Williams and Franklin-are not around to their sides of the story. Now, THAT would be interesting. BTW, Otis Williams' first edition of his book came out when Ruffin and Kendricks were both still alive. Did they ever give their opinions about it, publicly?
The Temptations do not revolve around Otis Williams.
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Post by statone on May 8, 2008 13:34:48 GMT -5
GO SEE RICHARD!
Hey everybody, we found Richard.
On Saturday May 10th at 9:PM Richard's Temptations
will be performing for The Cancer League of Colorado
at The Hope Ball in Denver, CO
Its a Black Tie Affair at The Hyatt Regency Tech Center
7800 East Tufts Avenue, Denver CO 80237
Contact Name: Kaye Music
Phone: 303-929-4111
Cost: $300- Patron
$250 - Regular
$135 - Young Professional
Parking: Free Parking,Valet Parking
For additional information, please contact Spring Benefit Co-Chairs:
Linda Goto
Marsha Lunnon
Kaye Music, 303-929-4111
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To me it would be well worth the read. Everyone has a right to tell their story, but everyone does not have to read their story. It's all about choices!
