Artist

The Temptations

1961-present·Detroit

Motown's premier male vocal group built its reputation on precision: choreography by Cholly Atkins, synchronized suits and stagecraft refined through Maxine Powell's Artist Development program, and hits like "My Girl" and "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" that showcased five voices moving as one instrument. When Holland-Dozier-Holland walked out of Motown in 1967, Berry Gordy handed the group to producer Norman Whitfield, who pushed them somewhere stranger.

The full story is in Motown.

At a glance

Active
1961–present
From
Detroit, Michigan, USA
Records in the issues
1 (1969), 1 of them a Start here pick
Original label
Gordy
Listening guide track
“My Girl”

Listen

In the Motown listening guide: “My Girl”

Spotify

In the issues

  • Motown
    Principal · 1959-1972 · Members

    Motown is a music scene from Detroit, Michigan, USA, 1959–1972. Its principal artists include Berry Gordy, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, The Supremes and Stevie Wonder. This issue covers 10 essential albums and 16 dated events.

Records