The Temptations - Don't Send Me Away

This video is my tribute to Otis Williams, the only surviving member (and leader) of The Temptations. This song 'Don't Send Me Away' written by Smokey Robinson and Eddie Kendricks, features Otis singing lead. It was on the 1967 album 'The Temptations With A Lot O'Soul' and is only one of a few tracks where we hear Otis at the forefront. I decided to dedicate this video to him as, despite being part of a great institution for 50 years he gets some scorn (although not from real fans) his way as he did not put up with any behaviour which may hurt the group. As leader of the Tempts he has outlasted fellow original Al Bryant for violence, the great David Ruffin for egotism and drugs, the equally great Paul Williams, Dennis Edwards, Richard Street etc etc. His book and the following 1998 biographical film portrayed some ex-tempts in a bad light. These decisions were never going to make Otis popular, but what people forget is his motto: "No-one is bigger than the group" is what has kept the Temptations tempting for 50 years now. That is what makes them so special, other great groups of the period like Smokey Robinson & The Miracles and Diana Ross & The Supremes with a front man/woman almost by definition dont acknowledge the talents of the other members. The Temptations (I think thanks to Otis' motto) have never become someones backing band and have always had a wealth of talent regardless of who happens to be singing lead; Ruffin, Kendricks, P Williams, Franklin, O Williams, Bryant, Edwards, Street, Woodson, Tyson to name but a few.
Lecture over! lol
I hope you enjoy this rare track and his appreciate Otis' smooth vocal ability. If you like this and want to hear other songs where Otis sings lead, then there is 'I Aint Got Nothin' and 'Darling stand by me' and smaller parts include the intro for 'Check Yourself' and the 'I can make the seasons change, just by waving my hand'line from 'I Cant Get Next to You'
Thank you for listening/reading!!
Luke aka dalkey130388

Category:

Music

Tags:

• r&b
• soul
• motown
• rare
• otis
• williams
• the
• temptations
• ruffin
• kendricks
• franklin
• 1967
• detroit

[winsome1235]

I've had a crush on Otis since I was 16 and he has brought us all great joy over the years for he is the glue that has kept this great group together through the thick and the thin. Go Otis!

[GrandsonofSoul]

Definitely gotta give Otis credit. Sure, he wasn't a powerful lead vocalist like David, Eddie, and Paul, but the Temptations are superbly known for their harmonizing, and Otis definitely contributed to that. On some songs you can clearly hear his voice blending in. And some singers have certain types of music in which they specialize in, and soft ballads such as this was what his voice was best suited for. 

[Ce1949Ce]

Seeing them at the Uptown Theater in North Philly was the ultimate. I nearly lost my mind lol!!

[PoetryManDC]

“Until lions have their historians, tales of the hunt shall always glorify the hunter”

Respect to The Temptations ~ They Personified Class, Cool, Courage & Soul Singing ~

[Jeiygo]

Lol David Ruffin and his manager from the movie came in and disliked this! ^_^ (David was a hater) ...

[unclemighty1]

Yes, @ grifitti, Otis and Eddie were like peanut butter and jelly on a slice of bread. As many of us I tried to mimick the temptations with fellow singers, but I could never find someone who could hold their own, so I became a solo recording gospel singer. Go check out my music like Walk Around Heaven on my youtube channel at unclemighty1  Have a wonderful Holiday Season:

[grifitti]

@unclemighty1 I was looking to see if anyone else (besides me) realized Eddie & Otis's harmony connection. If you notice, too, in the early days, Paul & Melvin hung out front on most of the intricate choreographic moves while Eddie & Otis hung in the back to keep the harmany glued. They stepped out on the moves but mostly hung back to maintain the harmony.

[City44errr]

This is baby making MUSIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This generation aint got it like that! Hell Nauw!

[totaly52]

@GarwinEugeneW I'm glad that we agree. Most of the comments on yt indicates that when you have a singing talent you will automatically be sucessful.  Not true.

[GarwinEugeneW]

@totaly52 I agree as good as Eddie & David were if any of them were the leader of the group the Temptations would not have lasted as long as it did.

[GarwinEugeneW]

Gotta give Otis his respect. The amazing talents of Paul Williams, David Ruffin, Dennis Edwards, Eddie Kendricks, Melvin Franklin was a big contribution, but because of Otis the Temptations are an institution.