Died On This Date (February 23, 1995) Melvin Franklin / The Temptations
themusicsover Melvin Franklin (Born David English)
October 12, 1942 – February 23, 1995
Melvin Franklin was the longtime bass singer for influential Motown singing group, the Temptations. While he was still in high school, Franklin joined a local vocal group, the Distants, which soon morphed into the Elgins, then ultimately the Temptations, and signed with Motown in 1961. He stayed with the group until they officially disbanded in 1994. Franklin’s unmistakable bass vocals can be heard singing on such classic songs as “Ain’t To Proud To Beg,” “Papa Was A Rolling Stone,” and “My Girl.” On February 23, 1995, 52-year-old Melvin Franklin died after lapsing into a coma from a brain seizure several days earlier.
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