Paul Williams (The Temptations singer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paul Williams
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Williams performs with The Temptations on The Ed Sullivan Show
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| Background information | |
| Born | July 2, 1939 Ensley, Alabama, U.S. |
| Origin | Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. |
| Died | August 17, 1973 (aged 34) Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1955–1971 |
| Labels | Motown |
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Paul Williams (born July 2, 1939 – died August 17, 1973) was an American singer and choreographer. He was famous for being one of the first members and a lead singer of the Motown music group, The Temptations. Paul Williams, along with Elbridge "Al" Bryant, Otis Williams, Eddie Kendricks, and Melvin Franklin, helped create The Temptations. He had to leave the group in 1971 because of health problems. He passed away two years later.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Paul Williams grew up in Ensley, a neighborhood in Birmingham, Alabama. His father, Rufus Williams, was a gospel singer. Paul met Eddie Kendricks when they were in elementary school. They both loved to sing and sang together in their church choir.
As teenagers, Paul Williams, Eddie Kendricks, and Kell Osborne formed a singing group called The Cavaliers. They dreamed of becoming big music stars. In 1957, Williams, Kendricks, and Osborne moved to Cleveland, Ohio, to start their careers. They changed their group's name to The Primes. Their manager, Milton Jenkins, later moved the group to Detroit, Michigan. The Primes were good performers, and they even helped create a female group called The Primettes, who later became the famous group The Supremes.
In 1961, The Primes broke up when Kell Osborne moved away. Eddie Kendricks went back to Alabama but visited Paul in Detroit soon after. During this visit, they learned that Otis Williams needed two new singers for his group, The Distants. Paul Williams and Eddie Kendricks joined Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, and Elbridge Bryant. They first called themselves The Elgins. In 1961, they signed with the local Motown record label and changed their name to The Temptations.
Music Career with The Temptations
Becoming a Hit Group
Even with a record deal, Paul Williams and The Temptations had many songs that didn't become hits at first. But in 1964, they finally made it big with the song "The Way You Do the Things You Do". This song reached the top 20 on the Billboard charts. After that, many more hit songs followed, like "My Girl", "Ain't Too Proud To Beg", and "(I Know) I'm Losing You".
Paul Williams was the group's first lead singer in their early days. However, by 1965, David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks started singing lead on most of The Temptations' hit songs. Paul sometimes felt overlooked for lead vocals. He once said, "I can sing too!" Because of this, he was given the lead on the song "Don't Look Back" in 1965.
Williams sang lead on several other songs for the group. Some of his early lead vocals include "Your Wonderful Love" (1961), "Slow Down Heart" (1962), "I Want a Love I Can See" (1963), and "Oh, Mother of Mine" (1961). He also shared lead vocals with Eddie Kendricks on "Farewell My Love" (1963).
Paul Williams was known as the best dancer in The Temptations. He was the group's first choreographer. He created dance routines for his group and for The Supremes, including their famous "Stop! In the Name of Love" routine. Later, Cholly Atkins took over as choreographer for many Motown artists. Williams's later lead performances include "Just Another Lonely Night" (1965), "No More Water in the Well" (1967), and a cover of "Hey Girl" (1969).
He also sang lead with Dennis Edwards, who joined the group in 1968, on "Cloud Nine". This song won Motown's first Grammy Award. One of his most famous live performances was "For Once in My Life" from the TV special TCB in 1968. His live version of "Don't Look Back" is also very popular. After David Ruffin left the group, Paul Williams often sang the lead for "My Girl" during live shows.
Health Challenges and Retirement
Paul Williams had a health condition called sickle-cell anemia, which often caused him physical pain and exhaustion. He also faced personal challenges and financial difficulties. His health got worse, and sometimes he couldn't perform. He did not want to see a doctor for a long time.
Because Williams's voice was affected by his illness, The Temptations decided to get someone to help him. Richard Street, who was the lead singer of another Motown group called The Monitors, was hired. He would travel with The Temptations and sing Paul's parts from backstage. When Paul was too unwell to perform, Richard would take his place on stage.
In April 1971, Paul Williams finally agreed to see a doctor. The doctor found a spot on his liver and told him he should stop performing with the group. Paul left The Temptations, and Richard Street became his permanent replacement. To support Paul, he continued to receive his share of the group's earnings and was paid as an advisor and choreographer for the next two years.
Trying a Solo Career
By early 1973, Paul Williams started recording his own music for Motown. Eddie Kendricks, who had also left The Temptations, helped produce and write Paul's first song, "Feel Like Givin' Up." The song "Once You Had a Heart" was on the other side of the record. However, Motown decided not to release the single that summer.
Passing Away
Paul Williams passed away on August 17, 1973. He was found in a car in an alley.
His funeral was held on August 24, with his family and former bandmates attending. He was survived by his wife, Mary Agnes Williams, and five children: Sarita, Kenneth, Paula, Mary, and Paul Jr. His son, Paul Jr., later joined a group called The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards.
Legacy and Recognition
As a member of The Temptations, Paul Williams was honored after his death. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989. He was also inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame in 2013. The songs he recorded as a solo artist were later released by Motown on special Temptations music collections in the 1980s and 1990s.
In 1998, NBC aired The Temptations, a TV miniseries about the group. Actor Christian Payton played Paul Williams in the show.
The music video for the Diana Ross song "Missing You" honored Paul Williams, along with other Motown artists like Marvin Gaye and Florence Ballard, who had also passed away.
See also
In Spanish: Paul Williams (cantante) para niños
