Original Temptation Ain't Too Proud to Sue

31. They should give the money Otis wins to the families of "THE VOICES". Eddie, Paul, David, and Dennis. Ain't nobody go to see Otis. "A group without David Ruffin is a group in search for a David Ruffin"

Posted at 12:58AM on Oct 30th 2007 by Rod

32. did otis sing lead on any songs?

Posted at 1:14AM on Oct 30th 2007 by Pootie

33. Interesting comments... mostly uninformerd, but interesting. Originally the trademarked name The Temptations belonged to Motown, who quitclaimed it to the (then) surviving members, Williams and English, as joint tenants (I.e., with the right of surivorship). After English died, his widow attempted to license others to use the name. Williams sued, and won. The federal court held that no one other than Williams had the right to publicly perform under the name The Temptations, or any similar or derivative name.
Every performer who has been a member of the Temptations at any time sisnce 1977 has been aware that, if they left the group, they could not use the name for any purpose whatsoever.
These are talented performers, but they are almost as much victims here as is Williams. It's the unscrupulous promoters who "own" these knock-off groups who are making money trading off of The Temptations well deserved reputation. The name belongs to Otis. There are no truly "legendary" lead singers of The Temptations except Otis. Anyone else is just trying to get rich quick off the reputation he's spent four decades building.
(And did anyone notice that The Temptations -- starring Otis Williams -- are still on tour and just released a new album? These knock off groups can only hurt Williams and the Temptations; reputation.)

Posted at 4:21AM on Oct 30th 2007 by Musiclaw

34. Original Temptations? No this is the story of a no talent guy who was so jealous of the real talents in the original Tempts that he drove them all off one by one--and earned his fortune on their voices, not his. Otis Williams has never been able to EVER sing lead on any tune or if he just acting such a fool that the producers took pity on him and let him lead--no one ever liked his boring monotone. The people he is suing are the real voices who ALL SANG lead on different hits. Ali Woodson's baritone comes closer to David Ruffin's greatness as anyone ever could. Glenn Leonard has a delicate tenor and while no one could touch Eddie Kendricks, Glenn earned his stripes out there on the road for years. None of these people were 'background singers' as one uninformed poster called them. People are so quick to point fingers and hurl invectives at Diana Ross for what she was supposed to have done to Florence Ballard. Has anyone ever examined what Otis did to the wonderful Paul Williams, David or Eddie and for that matter Eldridge Bryant who really was one of the original Tempts. Oh, the NBC mini-series you say? That candy-ass tale was told through Otis's perspective, written by a white writer who never talked to any of the other lead singers. As of right now there have been 22 men who worked for Otis and were called Temptations. Because his fat ass is left standing (not singing) only means the son of a bitch is too mean to die like David, Eddie, Melvin and Paul --the real Temptations. Rest them and thank Motown for the reissues.

Posted at 2:48AM on Oct 30th 2007 by Temptations Truth

35. Some of you are so far off. Otis sued Dennis Edwards years ago and has already won a Court decision to the "Temptation's" name. I don't care how long they were a part of the group, they were second, third or fourth generation "Temptations". They have no right to the name and they had to know about the original lawsuit. It was public knowledge. There were five (5) Temptations and they were equally famous. Otis and the "Temps" still play to sold out crowds. I wish him the best of luck in collecting his due. By the way I knew Eddie personally and he loved Otis.

Get caught up on your facts before you decided to put you nonsense in public view.

Posted at 3:45AM on Oct 30th 2007 by A Real Temp's Fan

36. To #3, Otis is a surviving member and has every right to the name Temptations. To say that he needs to work shows your ignorance because he put in the work for over 30 years as a performer and was the manager of the recent versions of the Temptations!

I think most lawsuits are dumb but this one has a lot of merit. I hope Otis gets what he deserves.

Posted at 1:15PM on Oct 30th 2007 by egriffin

37. Hey, grew up with the music of the Temptations, Love Otis, all the orginal members besides Otis are gone, Otis worked very hard all these years, and has the right to maintain the name, Kudos to Otis!!!! He believes in what he stands for.....

Posted at 8:44AM on Oct 30th 2007 by lover of the temps

38. #31, I heard the same story. We learn something new everyday. It is sad that a person can't find peace nowhere on this earth. It seem like you put in the hard work trying to keep up with your music and name and that seem harder than proforming. I hope that one day Mr. Otis can finally rest and not looking over his shoulder. And keep on claiming yours, after all you earn it and I know your true friends that in Heaven is smiling down on you. To you people that like stealing one thing I know you can steal on earth, but God want let you steal Heaven from him. Just a little reminder for those that don't know after earth is Heaven or hell

Posted at 1:02PM on Oct 30th 2007 by I told you so

39. I think Glenn, Bo, Ali, Richard, Damon and whom ever else has been an ex-temptation should be able to perform those songs. Especially the ones that sang on the hits. However in my opinion, the "hits" stopped after 1975-1976. They aren't going on as "The Temptations"...The only wrong word in that is "Legendary" some of the tempts named in my opinion aren't legendary. Otis just needs to quit losing his mind, and sue everybody that has the word Temptations in their billing. Sheesh! Does that mean Damon can sue Ron Tyson for singing his part in Papa? Can Dennis sue whoever for singing Can't get next to you? The comment about these guys getting "considerably" less as far as income should be considered their penance. Otis should be happy that he gets sooooo much more money for his work with The Temptations. Glenn, Damon, Richard n'em have to work too.

Posted at 11:46AM on Oct 31st 2007 by MissTara

40. Otis is being selfish. These other men are not billing themselves as "The Temptations", they are billing themsleves as what they ARE, "Former lead signers of the Temptaitons", and they did have a trademark on that name, so Otis is on shaky ground. the problem is this: Otis may be the only original memeber, but he never sang lead on any Temptations hit record, he is and always has been just background singer. I see this as only motivated by greed. I believe his group of "Temptations" has had nearly 30 members on and off over the years, and for some reason, Otis can't seem to get along with ANY of them, I wonder why? Why would anyone care? The group he has now as "The Temptations" bears not even the smallest resemblance to the group we all knew and loved in the 60's and 70's. There comes a time when you need to pack it in and retire, and Otis either doesn't want to, or can't afford to. And if he can't afford to, after all the money he's earned in his life, then that's his problem.

Posted at 12:41AM on Nov 3rd 2007 by jillfoster

41. I think Otis has every right to sue since he worked very hard to not only come up with temptations but to keep the name despite all the typical musician ego issues. The other guys should respect him.

Posted at 5:09PM on Nov 2nd 2007 by Terry

42. Yes, Otis was an original Temptation...but he was the only Temptation who couldn't sing. Yes...He was a good background singer but that was about all. Each one of the other original Tempts could step up and sing lead and sound good. I heard Otis sing lead on one song............sounded awful. So for this non singing ass hole to sue the other more talented former members of the Temptations is a taspery. One thing I give Otis.....he has a good head for business..........which the others don't have. Which is probably why Otis is a millionaire today. So the bottom line is...I think Otis ought to shut the hell up.....and maybe get with those other guys and make a lot more money.

Posted at 2:24PM on Nov 5th 2007 by bbwoof

43. I have to agree with Otis on this one.
Because Otis is the last surviving original member and THE OWNER of that name "The Temptations" he has the right to that name. To me, none of those other guys are "Legendary" so Mr. Otis is right on that one.
How many Grammys and gold records do thay have?
Dennis is the only "Legendary" Lead Singer". And he has already won his right to the name "Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards because he was there in the begining after they fired Ruffin.
To my understanding Dennis is the only "Legendary Lead Singer" who owns 5 grammy awards and 14 gold Albums.
None of the other "lead singers" can touch him on that.
Otis never sang lead on anything so he can't make that claim.
Otis instead of suing everybody should work something out with those guys because
it is tarnishing the reputation and legacy of the group.
Those guys do have a right to perform but they should have worked something out with Otis so that everyone could get paid.
At least Otis and Dennis were classy enough to come to an agreement.
The Temptations of today represent the new era.
The Temptations Review represent the classic era and pay tribute to those original members who we all love.
NO MORE TEMPTATION GROUPS PLEASE!
Ali, Bo and Glen are great lead singers and if they want to form another group they should name themselves "Brothers With Voices". This way no body can get sued.

Posted at 5:05PM on Nov 11th 2007 by StaTone

44. regarding comment by Sta Tone; this is finally one of the most intelligent and sensible comments I have read regarding this situation. Everyone and anyone can be quick to criticize. Criticizing is easy. Commending Otis is easy too, especially when you are a fan and admirer of his. Looking at the entire situation and taking everyones perspective into consideration is not simple. Therefore providing a solution for FUTURE REFERENCE and/or Temptation members should absolutely be applauded! Pay attention guys! There is "original temptation" and then there is you.."not-original temptation". Brothers with Voices sounds good..but you can't be what you are not.

Posted at 4:19PM on Nov 13th 2007 by bqwest

45. As I was reading over the comments, I notices one thing that is a still going strong to this day and that is racism is alive and well and still going strong, as well as the uneducated persons making some of this comments. 1. Otis Williams owns the rights to the name "Temptations" as it pertains to the group of singers. 2. No-one said that another group could not sing the songs. Just that they need to find another name for their group. 3. Remember Dennis Edwards he was calling his group "Dennis Edwards and his Temptations" and the courts then stated that Otis owned the rights to the name the "Temptations" but stated that he could use the name "Dennis Edwards and The Temptations Review" as his group name. And to the person who claim motown stoped making his in the 70's, do some research on things before you make any comments on things you have no ideal on what you are talking about, Motown did have hits past the 70's.
Otis has worked hard at keeping the group going to this day and I would go see this group first before I would see the others. I also agree that Sta Tone made one of the most thought out comments on the situation.

Posted at 5:18AM on Nov 14th 2007 by kalel