Died On This Date (February 27, 2013) Richard Street / The Temptations
themusicsover Richard Street
October 5, 1942 – February 27, 2013
Richard 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.
What You Should Own
Eric Lowen is perhaps best remembered as one half of the much beloved duo, Lowen & Navarro. Formed with Dan Navarro first as a songwriting team during the early ’80s, Lowen and Navarro went on to pen songs for the likes of David Lee Roth, the Bangles, Dave Edmunds, the Four Tops, and the Temptations. Their biggest hit as tunesmiths came in 1984 with Pat Benatar’s Grammy-nominated version of their beautiful song, “We Belong.” In the early ’90s, Lowen & Navarro made the transition from songwriting to performing and recording together. Many of their songs became staples of what would later be called Triple A radio while their intimate performances wowed audiences around the world. In 2004, Lowen learned he was suffering from ALS, or as it’s commonly know, Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Rather then give in to the disease, the duo made three more albums, including 2004’s All The Time In The World, which is, by most accounts, their best. They also went on to perform upwards of 200 shows over the next five years, culminating in their final performance together on June 6, 2009. After that, Navarro forged on alone while Lowen kept the duo’s legacy alive online and by overseeing the release of archival performances. Eric Lowen ultimately died of complications from ALS on March 23, 2012. He was 60.
