I am thoroughly ashamed of the fact that I never posted Paul Williams led Temptations material. He was one of the great Classic Five Tempts (David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams.) Temptations fans generally consider Paul the most soulful singer of the group -- a claim I wholeheartedly support.
During the pre-Motown phase of the group, Paul was responsible for their choreography; as can be seen in this clip, he was the smoothest dancer of them all. (Paul is on the right in the back.)
"Height: 6'1
Voice: Baritone
Favorite colors: Green & White
Hobby: Interior Decorating
Paul Williams is the joker of the group, particularly enjoying telling jokes on himself. He has the compact solidity of the ex-football player that he is. He studied to be a cobbler in Birmingham, Alabama where he grew up, but his parents are very glad now of the choice he has made of a vocation. Besides his singing and dancing ability, Paul also plays the guitar, bass and some piano and says his favorite "hate" is wrong notes. He is interested in interior design and lists it as a hobby, with colors being particularly important to him. His favorites are green and white. Being one of nine children, he finds it no hardship to adjust to the confinement of a group of five when on a long series of traveling engagements."
(From: http://alltempts.conforums.com/index.cgi?board=PAUL&action=display&num=1111002558)
Paul died on August 17, 1973 in Detroit at the age of 34. His death was ruled a suicide by the Wayne County coroner.
R.I.P.
One of his many Temptations leads: I Want A Love I Can See.
Paul solo: Once You Had A Heart (from: Anthology: The Temptations: One By One )
From the Cloud Nine Album: Don't Let Him Take Your Love From Me
Paul died on August 17, 1973 in Detroit at the age of 34. His death was ruled a suicide by the Wayne County coroner.
R.I.P.
4 comments:
Paul williams was the sweetest most considerate person I was lucky to know.I still love him and miss him terribly. I will never be convinced that he took his own life. That wasn't the Paul I knew.I will forever cherish the moments we shared which will live in my heart for all times to the very end of what is left of my time. Y.B.
Hi Y.B! I'm glad you found your way here! I am more than sure that Paul was indeed a wonderful person. All the stories I've heard from people who knew him indicate that.
Concerning his mysterious death: I am one of those who think there are at least some highly questionable circumstances involved in his tragic end.
May his soul rest in peace.
What a great resource!
@ Anonymous: I suppose you refer to the alltempts forum?
It is actually one of the best sources for info about The Temptations. MikeNYC, who established the forum, actually knew the guys in person. The material he and his moderators presents is mostly from first hand sources. You don't find that too often on the web.
The folks at alltempts put an incredible amount of work and LOVE into the site. That much is for sure. So, don't hesitate to sign up with alltempts to gain access to a wealth of information about the Tempts.
http://alltempts.conforums.com/index.cgi
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