Any additional evidence to examine has disappeared into the ether. American soul singer and musician most famous for his work as one of the lead singers of The Temptations (1964–68) during the group's "Classic Five" period as it was later known. A post shared by Best Motown Group Ever (@the_temptations_fanpage) on Jan 25, 2017 at … The lead voice on such famous songs as "My Girl" and "Ain't Too Proud to Beg". He remained in their close circle, especially as choreographer, and started to record solo material in early 1973. The Temptations had made their R&B chart debut earlier in 1962 with the top 30 entry ‘Dream Come True.’ Listen too for Paul Williams’ confident lead on the group’s first Robinson-composed A-side, 1963’s ‘I Want A Love I Can See.’, The Temptations in all their mid-60s finery, with Paul Williams, centre. In order to have shot himself, Williams would have had to angle his gun in an impractical manner. On 17 August that year, he was found dead in a Detroit alley, a gun close by the body. By their teenage years, they formed a doo-wop quartet in 1955 with Kell Osborne and Wiley Waller, naming themselves the Cavaliers. Follow uDiscover’s Paul Williams playlist. I sung his songs and loved listening to his voice and the feeling presented behind his tones and words. It was real singing back then. R.I.P. They were part of that magical Motown era where they entertained us with their ever-smooth dance moves and silky yearning … Unexplained circumstances surrounding his death caused his family to suspect some kind of foul play, though nothing was ever remotely proven. Your email address will not be published. Paul Williams was born on July 2, 1939 in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. In many ways, Paul Williams, who died in tragic circumstances on 17 August 1973, was the Temptations ’ unsung hero. 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Paul Williams (July 2, 1939 – August 17, 1973) was an American baritone singer and choreographer.Williams is noted for being one of the founding members and original lead singer of the Motown group The Temptations.Along with David Ruffin, Otis Williams (no relation), and fellow Alabamians Eddie Kendricks and Melvin Franklin, Williams was a member of The Temptations … He died on … The Williams family has been fighting for Motown royalties since Aug. 17, 1973, the day Paul Williams died at age 34 of what police said was a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Dennis Edwards just keep it coming i love your music!! '89 was ironically also the same year his pops' was posthumously inducted into The Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. He turned to alcohol as a way of dealing with the group’s relentless touring and recording schedule, and later in the 1960s also had serious financial problems. Williams was also present when the Temptations briefly parted ways with Motown in 1976, when they returned to the label just four years … R/B singer, choreographer. Paul Williams (born July 2, 1939 in Birmingham; died August 17, 1973 in Detroit, Michigan) was a soul and R&B singer best known as one of the founding members of The Temptations from 1960 to 1971.. Williams is noted for being one of the founding members and original lead singer of the popular Motown group The Temptations.Along with David Ruffin, Otis Williams (no relation), … CHECK out Richard Streets .Ball of Confusion of the temptation Story of them. In 1971, a doctor discovered that Williams had dangerously damaged his liver and advised him to retire from music, which Williams did. Williams was noted for being one of the founding members and original lead singer of the Motown group The Temptations. The business was not as successful as planned, and Williams soon found himself owing more than $80,000 in taxes. I am happy to know he is being remembered and honored as a great. Paul Willians was the heart and soul og the Temptin Temptations or Emperors of Soul. Paul Williams (The Temptations) : biography July 2, 1939 – August 17, 1973 In the spring of 1969, Williams and Brown opened a celebrity fashion boutique in downtown Detroit. Paul Williams was a baritone vocalist of the original Temptations, one of the most . Paul along with Eddie Kendrick formed their own group, The Primes. Indeed, Paul would be prominent on many early Tempts sides, including the terrific, doo-wop-flavoured follow-up 45 ‘Check Yourself’ late in ’61 and, a year later, ‘Slow Down Heart,’ their first track produced by Smokey Robinson, who also wrote it. The Primes didn’t make it, and Osbourne went home, but after more personnel changes and an effective merger with the Distants (featuring Otis Williams, Franklin and others), they became the Temptations and signed to the young Motown label in 1961. His bandmates Otis Williams (no relation) and Melvin Franklin weren't surprised, since Williams had reportedly confessed suicidal thoughts to them before. Original member of the Temptations. With Charles Malik Whitfield, D.B. The three issues are laid out on rockandrollparadise.com. His starring roles were often on album tracks or b-sides, but they’re all fine performances, and he was also crucial to the group’s visuals, in choreographing many of their slick dance moves. But again, that cannot be substantiated, so the official story remains official, albeit with questions unanswered. RIP with harmony my dear special brother. Paul Williams was portrayed by actor Christian Payton. “Don’t Look Back” was the finale when I saw the Temps at UMass in the summer of 1967, and Paul did REALLY show his dance moves. Either way, the title of one of his last recordings, ‘Feel Like Givin’ Up,’ proved heartbreakingly prescient. First, Williams was shot on the left side of his head, but his gun was found in his right hand. Otis Williams receives a plaque marking the occasion on behalf of the legendary, classic five lineup, including Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams, and David Ruffin at the official ceremony. I loved Everything Paul Soulful from the ❤ heart voice touched it stirred my soul! Paul Williams (July 2, 1939 – August 17, 1973) was an American baritone singer and choreographer.Williams was noted for being one of the founding members and original lead singer of the Motown group The Temptations.Along with Elbridge "Al" Bryant, Otis Williams, and fellow Alabamians Eddie Kendricks and Melvin Franklin, Williams was a member of The … Paul was the reason Motown signed them. Without a contract, they joined Otis Williams of the Elgins. The day he left this life I felt a part of my spirit touched with sadness and emptiness because Paul truly touched my mind just listening and watching him perform. You are all that i still want to hear Get well!! The Mystery Surrounding The Death Of The Temptations' Paul Williams. Ease into it with his masterful lead vocal on the Temptations’ string-laden version of ‘For Once In My Life,’ from the 1967 album In A Mellow Mood, to set the mood for his soulful eloquence. Along with Elbridge "Al" Bryant, Otis Williams, and fellow Alabamians Eddie Kendricks and Melvin Franklin, Williams was a member of The Temptations… uDiscover Music lays out the difficulties he faced that could have led to him to this point. The story of Paul Williams is punctuated by tragedy, but his contribution to the legacy of the Emperors of Soul is indelible, and we celebrate it with this hand-picked selection of some of his finest moments. Advertisement. Paul's drinking impeded his ability to perform onstage, forcing a hiatus with the condition that he would be welcomed back when ready. Noted for being one of the founding members and original lead singer of the Motown group "The Temptations", he committed suicide by a gunshot wound to his head. Woodside, Terron Brooks, Christian Payton. There weren’t any computers to make voices sound good back them. Paul, Eddie, David,Melvin and Dennis. In it, they report how Paul Williams, the 34-year-old founder and former lead singer of the successful Motown Group The Temptations, was "found slumped in the front seat of a car at 14th and W. Grand Blvd. The other ‘Hey Girl’ from (I think) Cloud Nine is (I think) Paul, and is one of his very best. Paul Williams was the cream of the Temptations. Paul Williams, second left, with The Temptations. As a member of the Temptations, Paul Williams was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999. He had left the Temptations in 1971. Paul? In addition to all of these stresses, he was having an affair, and had actually just had an argument with the woman before his death. Photo: Motown Records Archives. Gone but not forgotten. Born in Birmingham, Alabama. It was a tragic end for the member of The Temptations who contributed most of their choreography. In it, they report how Paul Williams, the 34-year-old founder and former lead singer of the successful Motown Group The Temptations, was "found slumped in the front seat of a car at 14th and W. Grand Blvd. Temptations singer, the late Paul Williams', son, Kenneth Williams went to prison in 1989 for murdering his great aunt in cold blood. ️ #PaulWilliams. He suffered from sickle-cell anemia as well as alcohol abuse, which served both as a coping mechanism for the punishing touring and recording schedule The Temptations had as well as the pain caused by his medical condition.