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• Fri Apr 18 2025

Where are the members of The Temptations today? Otis Williams currently lives in Detroit, Michigan, where he continues to pursue his musical career. Paul Williams, David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, and Melvin Franklin died in 1973, 1991, 1992, and 1995, respectively.

Paul Williams, Melvin Franklin, Cornelius Grant, Otis Williams, David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks pose for a portrait backstage at the Apollo Theatre. Photo: Don Paulsen (modified by author)

Source: Getty Images

Key takeaways

The Temptation was famously known as The Classic Five.

The members of The Temptations are Eddie Kendricks, Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams, and David Ruffin.

and The Temptations have only one surviving member, Otis Williams.

one surviving member, Otis Williams. Otis has produced songs such as My Girl, Ain't Too Proud to Beg, The Way You Do the Things You Do, and I Wish It Would Rain.

and The four members of the band initially sang in two separate groups ? Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams were in The Primes, and Otis Williams and Melvin Franklin were in The Distants.

How many members of the Temptations are still alive?

Only one original member of The Temptations (Otis Williams) is still alive. The other members of the group, who formed the Classic Five during their peak years, have all passed away.

Members of The Temptations

Who were the five members of The Temptations? The five original members are Otis Williams, Paul Williams, Eddie Kendricks, Melvin Franklin, and David Ruffin. They joined forces in Detroit after being involved with different music groups for several years. Here is more about their whereabouts today.

Otis Williams

Otis Williams accepts The Gentleman?s Award onstage during the 10th annual Hollywood Beauty Awards at Avalon Hollywood & Bardot in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Amy Sussman

Source: Getty Images

Name: Otis Miles Jr.

Otis Miles Jr. Date of birth : October 30, 1941

: October 30, 1941 Place of birth: Texarkana

Texarkana Age: 84 (as of April 2025)

Williams was born in 1941 in Texarkana to Otis Miles and Hazel Louise Williams. He is one of the co-founders of The Temptations and the only original member of the group still alive. Williams currently still performs with the group.

He rarely sang lead on records for The Temptations but was primarily known for being the group's leader and organiser. In 1989, 'The Classic Five' Temptations and Dennis Edwards were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Williams also co-authored The Temptations in 1988.

He has performed on every release by the band, including their studio album, Temptations 60, released on January 28, 2022. This album also included a collaboration with Motown artist Smokey Robinson.

Melvin Franklin

Singer Melvin Franklin (David Melvin English) of The Temptations performs at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago, Illinois. Photo: Raymond Boyd

Source: Getty Images

Name : David Melvin Franklin

: David Melvin Franklin Date of birth : October 12, 1942

: October 12, 1942 Place of birth : Montgomery

: Montgomery Date of death : February 23, 1995

: February 23, 1995 Age: 33 (at the time of death)

Franklin was born in Montgomery on October 12, 1942, to Rose English, who immediately died after his birth. He co-founded The Temptations and was the group's bass singer after joining it in 1982. Franklin sang lead on several of the group's songs.

Franklin also worked as a voice actor in TV series such as Pole Position in 1984, where he played Wheel. Franklin met Otis in 1958 and joined his group, the Siberians. Following the disbandment of the Siberians, Franklin remained with Otis, who, along with Paul, Eddie, and Elbridge, formed the Elgins group, which later became The Temptations.

Otis Williams and Franklin were the only founding members of The Temptations who never left the group. He died in 1995 after falling into a coma from several seizures.

Eddie Kendricks

Eddie Kendricks smiles for the camera. Photo: Michael Ochs

Source: Getty Images

Name: Edward James Kendrick

Edward James Kendrick Date of birth: December 17, 1939

December 17, 1939 Place of birth : Union Springs

: Union Springs Date of death : October 5, 1992

: October 5, 1992 Age: 53 (at the time of death)

Eddie Kendricks was born to Johnny and Lee Bell Kendrick on December 17, 1939, in Union Springs, Alabama. He joined the band in 1964 and was one of their lead singers. He's remembered for his unique falsetto singing style and for being the group's wardrobe manager.

Kendricks left The Temptations in 1971 but returned for the group's Reunion album and tour in 1982. He was the lead voice on famous songs such as Dreams Come True, Get Ready, The Way You Do the Things You Do, and Just My Imagination.

Eddie recorded several songs, such as Keep On Truckin and Boogie Down as a solo artist. On October 5, 1992, Kendricks succumbed to lung cancer at Baptist Medical Centre-Princeton.

Paul Williams

Name : Paul Williams

: Paul Williams Date of birth : July 2, 1939

: July 2, 1939 Place of birth: Ensley, Alabama

Ensley, Alabama Date of death : August 17, 1973

: August 17, 1973 Age: 34 (at the time of death)

Paul Williams was born to Sophia and Rufus Williams on July 2, 1939, in Ensley, Alabama. He co-founded The Temptations and was the group's baritone singer. He sang lead on several popular Temptations songs, including Don't Look Back, I Can't Get Next to You, Cloud Nine, and their cover of For Once in My Life.

Paul suffered from sickle cell anaemia, which often made it difficult for him to perform at times. Sadly, he was found dead in an alley on August 17, 1973, from a gunshot wound to the head.

David Ruffin

American Soul and R&B singer David Ruffin of The Temptations performs onstage at the Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, Illinois. Photo: Paul Natkin

Source: Getty Images

Name : David Eli Ruffin

: David Eli Ruffin Date of birth : January 18, 1941

: January 18, 1941 Place of birth : Whynot, Mississippi

: Whynot, Mississippi Date of death : June 1, 1991

: June 1, 1991 Age: 50 (at the time of death)

Ruffin was born Eli Ruffin on January 18, 1941, in Whynot, Mississippi, to Elias Ruffin and Ophelia Ruffin. He was one of the lead singers of The Temptations. Ruffin joined The Temptations in 1964. He made the band a big hit with songs like Ain't Too Proud to Beg and My Girl.

He was fired in 1968 due to his use of drugs. David developed a friendship with Eddie Kendricks, and the two later joined The Temptations in 1982 for their Reunion tour and album.

However, Ruffin continued with many habits that led to him being fired again from the group during the Reunion album tour. Ruffin died on June 1, 1991, in Philadelphia due to an adverse reaction to drugs.

FAQS about members of The Temptations

Who are the five original members of The Temptations? The original five Temptations were Melvin Franklin, Eddie Kendricks, David Ruffin, Otis Williams, and Paul Williams. Which song was The Temptations' biggest Hit? The Temptations' biggest hit was My Girl, released as a single on December 21, 1964. It became the group's first number-one pop hit in March 1965. How many members of the Temptations are still alive? Otis Williams is the only member of The Temptations. Why did The Temptations split? The Temptations experienced splits due to several factors, such as personal reasons, health issues, and drug abuse. How did The Temptations gain recognition? The Temptations gained recognition after signing with Motown Records and releasing their debut album, 1964. What happened to Paul Williams? Paul Williams was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head on August 17, 1973.

Wrapping up

The members of The Temptations are Eddie Kendricks, Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams, and David Ruffin. Four of the original members are dead, and only one is surviving. The band continues living on in people's hearts through their billboard-worthy hit songs.

Are you looking for more information about Sultana actors and actresses? Tuko.co.ke shared an informative article about their real names, profiles, and photos.

The Sultana actors and actresses have all become household names in the Kenyan entertainment scene. Thanks to their acting prowess, the series has become one of the most popular TV shows in the country. Read the article to learn more.

Source: TUKO.co.ke