Known for their perfect harmonies, fine-tuned choreography and their flashy wardrobe, The Temptations became the definitive male vocal band of the 1960's. Growing up, my father introduced me to this R&B soul band and I loved them ever since. The Temptations initial 5 started from two local Detroit bands, the Primes and the Distants. Baritone Otis Williams, Elbridge Bryant, and bass vocalist Melvin Franklin were from the Distants while Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams were from the Primes. When these two bands merged, they would begin to conquer the music industry. Soon after, Elbridge Bryant was replaced with the new and infamous member, David Ruffin who was the lead singer in many of their greatest hits.

Pictured left to right: David Ruffin, Otis Williams, Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin, Eddie Kendricks

I think a lot of young adults my age are too infatuated with the latest mainstream music that they can’t open their minds to appreciating music from earlier days. My father always had me listening to music from his era which made me open-minded to listening to other genres. I love the pure soul and art that is put into the words of these songs. It is so unlike the music in this era which makes me appreciate it that much more

To those who haven’t heard any songs from The Temptations, here is 5 of their greatest hits with a photo from each of their live performances

1. My girl by The Temptations (1965)

“I've got so much honey the bees envy me, I've got a sweeter song than the birds in the trees”

"My Girl" is a 1964 record by The Temptations or the Gordy (Motown) label which became a number one hit in 1965. Written and produced by The Miracles members Smokey Robinson and Ronald White, the song became the Temptations' first U.S. number-one single, and is today their signature song.

2. Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone (1972)

“Papa was a Rollin’ Stone, wherever he laid his hat was his home”

“Papa was a Rollin’ Stone is a psychedelic soul song, written by Motown songwriters Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong as a 12 minute record for The Temptations. This song was a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and won three Grammy Awards in 1973. . It was ranked #168 on Rollin’ Stones’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, one of the group's three songs on the list.

3. “Just My Imagination” by The Temptations

Today, "Just My Imagination" is considered one of the Temptations' signature songs and is remembered for recalling the sound of the group's 1960s recordings. It is also the final Temptations single to feature founding members Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams. During the process of recording and releasing the single, Kendricks left the group to begin a solo career, while Williams was forced to retire from the act for health reasons. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine listed "Just My Imagination" as number 389 on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

4. Ain’t Too Proud to Beg by The Temptations (1966)

“Now I've got a love so deep in the pit of my heart,
And each day it grows more and more,
I'm not ashamed to call and plead to you, baby,
If pleading keeps you from walking out that door”

This was written by Motown writers Norman Whitfield and Eddie Holland. Like many Motown hits, it's a very emotional song, as the singer is pleading for his lover not to leave, as if it's his last chance. He will do whatever it takes to get his girl back, even if he has to beg. The song peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Pop Chart and was a number-one hit on the Billboard R&B charts for eight non-consecutive weeks.

5. “Ball of Confusion by The Temptations” (1970)

"Segregation, determination, demonstration, integration, Aggravation, humiliation, obligation to our nation. Ball of confusion. Oh yeah, that's what the world is today."

“Ball of confusion” was one of themany Psychedelic/Soul records that Norman Whitfield wrote andproduced for the Temptations between the late '60 and early '70s. Lyrically, the song attacked the Vietnam War, Nixon's government and drug addiction, making it one of the few protest records that came from Motown. It reached #2 on the US R&B charts and #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.”

The Temptations will always be one of my favorite bands. Their music has been extremely influential throughout the years. In the beginning, their concerts had to be separated by blacks and whites but by the end of the era, people of all races were dancing together in a time like the 60's. I thank my father for introducing me to this kind of music and making me appreciate the real meaning of it. I hope more people my age will open their minds to music from different era's instead of the mainstream music today.