Paul & Eddie from Ensley b/w Art of the Temptations

01/23/2025

01/23/2025

01/23/2025

Solo Eddie: Eddie left the Temptations in 1971, went solo, signed with Motown's Tamla label. Started slow, released a couple of albums, then in 1973 scored a number one hit with "Keep On Truckin' ," followed next year by "Boogie Down." A new kind of American r&b was evolving, funk-infused, and Eddie's style fit nicely. He formed a band called the New Senators and toured extensively with groups such as the Jackson Five, Ojays, Commodores and the Soul Searchers.
Unfortunately, two problems: persistent troubles with Motown's business policies, and the loss of his upper vocal register, caused by a lifelong habit of cigarette smoking. The former was fixable- he left Motown and signed with Arista Records, later with Atlantic. The latter- loss of vocal range- had no fix, and his solo career never really soared to the next level (though he is most def still considered Superstar!).
In 1982 he rejoined the Tempts for a popular reunion tour, then worked with Hall & Oates on their album "Live! at the Apollo." In 1988 he reunited with David to record a collaborative album, Ruffin & Kendricks. A career high point came in 1989 when he- along with former Temptations- was inducted into the Rock&Roll Hall of Fame.
An attempt to form a new singing group with both Ruffin and Dennis Edwards was launched, but cut short due by Eddie's health issues, and David's well-documented substance abuse. By 1990 Eddie had been diagnosed with lung cancer. He returned to Birmingham to live, and to seek treatment, undergoing surgery for lung removal.
He died in 1992 and is buried in Elmwood Cemetery.

01/14/2025

Paul Williams, The Soul of The Temptations. Obit piece, called for something special, ergo painted upon repurposed cabinet panel, square-ish. Didn't know where it would go eventual. Central image is painted, background of pasted papers, clips from newspaper obits. All of his Tempt brothers shown. Pasted text added slowly. Details re death are vague, the interested viewer can google to get real story, although real story shrouded in doubt. Most important are the words of Otis, "Paul...was the soul of the Temptations."
45-record shown at bottom is not based on real. Song was recorded in studio but I couldn't find out whether it was actually pressed. Irony of title almost too much.
Rest in Peace, Sweet Prince.

01/14/2025

Companion piece to same of Eddie, same pose, singing lead as guys dance and harmonize in background. As the next piece (obit) will show, Paul was a complex man, also a bit of an enigma, to me. He was hardest to paint, of the five. Looked different in most every photo. Often looked older than his years, sometimes looked young, even boyish. Often all guys in photo would be smiling, but not Paul. Not always, but. Like say, enigma. The rest of the guys all gave the painter something distinct to work with- not Paul. Eddie was tall and thin with long face tapering to chin, huge smile ranging one side of jaw to the other. David equally tall with likewise tall hair...trademark thick-frame black glasses. Otis not quite as tall though perhaps still six-foot, broad-chested, well-built, almost always full moustache. Melvin the shortest of crew, cherubic face, always 'cheery,' wispy 'stache, hair early to recede. Even Dennis with high top full head o hair, tall as David and Eddie, good-looking guy all around.
But Paul? Enigmatic, no real distinct, outstanding facial features. Not a critique, just an observation. I had a hard time painting him. Even when the guys went "psychedelic" he remained a "puzzle person," shadowed by low-slung straw-boat type hat, thin-frame hippie glasses. Don't get me wrong, I came to love the guy, but like say, a challenge to paint.
Meanwhile, dig the posted blurb.

01/14/2025

After Paul, Eddie was closest to David, in group. Like David, Eddie had huge star individual star power. After David went solo he(and others) encouraged Eddie to do same. Eddie was a team player who loved the group but he likewise had doubts, and personal ambitions. Didn't much care for the "psychedelic soul" style. Didn't have much of a relationship with Berry Gordy. With the coming of success the group had questions about certain Motown Company business practices. Eddie began acting erratic...missed a gig, maybe two. Final breach came in 1971, when it seems there was a mutual parting of ways. As fate would have it, Eddie had just kicked major-league butt recording signature tune, Just My Imagination, destined to hit #1 on Billboard charts. However, by the time it did, Eddie was gone, solo.

01/14/2025

Okay, enough of that, not exactly back to classic black, the guys shown here in bright green suits over black turtlenecks. "At the Copa. ..Copa-cabana." Same as The Apollo, group would play the venue many times, even recorded live album on stage. Paul featured here, singing lead, shown in best light, read the Otis blurb. Read the bio for details, Paul in personal turmoil, undiagnosed pain, self-medication, relationship problems, financial difficulties. Formula for disaster. Sad story with sad ending. But here, on stage, audience in palm of hand...Paul in his element.

01/14/2025

At first i liked painting this, coming after so many scenes in tux & tails, suits & bow ties. Howev, during process, something began to gnaw at me. " What's happening to my manly men?" Who designed these outfits? Say it ain't so, Paul & Eddie. In reality even more frilly than pictured here, with goofy little rope tassels protruding from belt/waist area, loop-De-looping down thigh. Ick factor. Couldn't paint em. Ergo concentrated on hit records themselves, Ball of Confusion, Papa Was A Rolling Stone, Psychedelic Shack ("that's where it's at!") Back in the day I absolutely loved these songs...in fact dug The Tempts even more than Beatles or Stones. Good thing I never saw these outfits...

01/14/2025

Triptych of three important Psychedelic Soul albums. It's in clear focus on my android dee-vice but try as might, cannot get it to focus here as transferred to FB. Grrrrrr....ergo guess you'll have to come to gallery and see in person. Worth it.

01/13/2025

Change gonna come. Marvin Gaye's smash hit "What's Goin' On?" led to quick changes in the larger Motown songbook. Socio-political content was in, late 1960's not the time for suave & debonair song & dance. Writer Norman Whitfield was assigned to write for The Tempts and he embraced the 'new wave of soul' with missionary zeal. "Cloud Nine" in 1969 ushered in the sub-genre "psychedelic soul." Members of The Tempts went along with the changes though maybe not wholeheartedly. Otis Williams reports significant differences with Whitfield that would eventually bring big problems. On the other hand, the group's fans- including 19-year-old yours truly- dug both the songs to follow and the changes in fashion (mostly). The original photo on which this is based was NOT an early album cover, rather a later CD effort.

01/13/2025

The Temptations stage show had played so well on the Ed Sullivan Show and other teevee variety shows that they were given their own one-time television special, 1971. Details forthcoming.

01/09/2025

A second photo of Motortown R***e, this showing marquee at Motown's home venue, Detroit's Fox Theater. Original photo from which this is painted knocked me out...talk about promo...gig name "Motortown R***e" blasted umpteen times on both marquee and theater signboards. Not to be missed.
Dig the civilian haberdash...but wait, where're all the people? Early to the gig? Perhaps soundcheck? Or maybe amateur artist too lazy to paint further...
Apologies from amateur photographer for out o' focus blur. Visit gallery to see in person.