Paul Williams of the Temptations

. " The song began a long string of smooth soul-pop hits. top 40 with "Dream Come True," then suffered a few more flops. " In 1962 the Temptations made the U.

In 1965 the group topped the Billboard Hot 100 with "My Girl", and also had hits with "It's Growing," "Since I Lost My Baby," "My Baby" and "Don't Look Back," on which Paul sang lead. The Robinson-written "Get Ready" topped the R&B chart the following year and was also a crossover smash for the group. One of Paul's most soul stirring renditions, was the ballad remake of the Stevie Wonder hit "For Once In My Life".

The Temptations hit #1 with 1969's "I Can't Get Next to You" and 1971's "Just My Imagination (Running Away with Me)," their last hit sung by Kendricks, who quit to go solo. But with replacement Dennis Edwards, the Temptations' successes continued, including "Cloud Nine," "Run Away Child Running Wild" and "Ball of Confusion.

After fighting with Paul, Bryant was fired and replaced by David Ruffin. But the group's matching suits and skilled dance moves developed by Williams, began to attract attention.

The Temptations' reputation grew with such classics as "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" (1966), "(I Know) I'm Losing You" (1966) and "You're My Everything" (1967).

Despite enjoying more hits in 1968, Ruffin was growing dissatisfied with working in a group and developed a solo career of his own. " In these songs the band began to engage in social commentary and became one of the few Motown acts to get airplay on the burgeoning progressive radio stations.