David Ruffin's Greatest Contribution To The Temptations... Other than His Voice?

[Mindovermatter62]

The great David gave the group something else besides his soulful voice...what was it?

 

[FSRCustomTeleHHGT]

I didn't realize there was to be an exam today. Embarrassingly I find myself woefully unprepared. Was it his songwriting, or is that too easy an answer?

Unfortunately I always think of Rick James' Super Freak now when I hear "Temptations" mentioned.

 

[posttoastie]

His Ego !

 

[Mindovermatter62]

Haa, no exam.. David was mostly responsible for the famous four mikes on one stand that made the Temps even more famous.

 

[FSRCustomTeleHHGT]

Haa, no exam.. David was mostly responsible for the famous four mikes on one stand that made the Temps even more famous.

Since I didn't see a single music video until the Sept 81 launch of MTV, and never saw the Temptations until a state fair appearance in the mid-80s, they somehow became famous to me without the four mikes on one stand thingy that I am just now learning about. If I were David, I wouldn't hang my hat on that particular mike stand.

 

[Mindovermatter62]

Don't sell it short my friend, that device set them apart from all other groups....and it was just....COOL!!

 

[posttoastie]

The 4 mic stand in action

 

[Mindovermatter62]

The 4 mic stand in action

Thanks, it's just.....Temptin!!!

 

[northernguitar]

Nasty man, but a voice from heaven. A terribly conflicted and violent person whose behaviour I try not to think about.

 

[ghostwolf]

Saw the Temps on a bill with Gladys Knight, and The Staple Singers.
Mavis & Pop opened, good lord that woman has a voice. The Temps were awesome, tight, together, and "on" that night. They were touring behind "Papa Was A Rolling Stone"
Someday, the hairs on the back of my neck that Gladys Knight raised *may* lay back down. What an amazing finish to a great show.
There were some cool aspects to growing up in Detroit during the 50s & 60s, right up to 1967...