Died On This Date (February 27, 2013) Richard Street / The Temptations

Richard Street
October 5, 1942 – February 27, 2013

richard-streetRichard Street is best remembered for his 20-year tenure with legendary Motown group, the Temptations.  Born in Detroit, Michigan, the first group of note that Street sang with was the Distants along with future Temptations, Otis Williams, Al Bryant, and Melvin Franklin.  After the Distants disbanded,  Street joined another Motown singing group, the Monitors who scored a minor hit with “Greetings (This Is Uncle Sam)” in 1966.  During the late ’60s, Street was invited to travel with the Temptations and sing for Paul Williams from backstage.  Williams was battling health issues at the time and couldn’t quite hit the notes, so he basically lip-synched and danced on stage.  Street ultimately replaced Williams in 1971 after Williams and Eddie Kendricks left the group.  Street’s lead vocals can be heard on such Temptations classics as “Papa Was A Rolling Stone,” “Hey Girl (I Like Your Style),” and “Superstar (Remember How You Got Where You Are).”  After leaving the Temptations in 1993, Street performed and recorded as a solo act.  He enjoyed a successful career up until the time of his death.  On February 27, 2013, Richard Street died as a result of a pulmonary embolism.  He was 70.  Fellow Temptation, Damon Harris died just nine days earlier.

Thanks to Henk de Bruin for the assist.

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Died On This Date (August 17, 1973) Paul Williams / The Temptations

Paul Williams
July 2, 1939 – August 17, 1973

Paul Williams was a founding member of the great ’60s R&B act, the Temptations.  Forming the group in 1960 with David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Otis Williams, and Melvin Franklin, Williams was part of what would later be called “The Classic Five,” the unit that was responsible for some of modern music’s greatest songs ever.   Although the group was achieving tremendous fame and success, Williams was apparently quite miserable, suffering from sickle-cell disease as well as other personal and financial problems.  He had also developed alcohol dependency.  Tragically, Williams was found dead by his car in a deserted parking lot on August 17, 1973 by what was ruled a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.  Although he was battling depression at the time, there are many friends and family who have valid reasons to believe that the fatal gunshot was anything but self-inflicted.

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Died On This Date (February 23, 1995) Melvin Franklin / The Temptations

Melvin Franklin (Born David English)
October 12, 1942 – February 23, 1995

L-R: Melvin Franklin, David Ruffin, Otis Williams, Paul Williams, Eddie Kendricks
L-R: Melvin Franklin, David Ruffin, Otis Williams, Paul Williams, Eddie Kendricks

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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