Mar 20 at 10:30 AM - Sale 2697 -
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Sale 2697 - Lot 221

Estimate: $ 3,000 - $ 4,000
(ENTERTAINMENT--MUSIC.) Large collection of Temptations memorabilia, including arrangements for their backing musicians and more. One box of loose papers containing approximately 750 pages of musical arrangements plus other memorabilia; condition ranges from quite worn to minimal wear. Various places, circa 1966-1979
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Additional Details

The Temptations, a Detroit-based vocal group, became one of the longest-running successes in American popular music. Founded in 1961, they racked up a string of number-one hits from 1964 to 1975, and continue touring to this day.

The five official Temptations members were all vocalists, but they often recorded and performed with a full backing band--usually a horn section, drummer, bassist, guitarist, and sometimes a string section. Offered here are approximately 750 pages of Temptations band arrangements for a total of 64 different songs--mostly original Temptations compositions but also cover songs and medleys. Most of them were produced by professional music arrangers for use by the Temptations backing band either in the studio or on stage, with separate sheets written out for the various instruments. They are mostly either manuscripts or diazotype copies of manuscripts (often with extensive manuscript notes), plus a small number of photocopies.

Many of the band's biggest hits are represented. Included are 26 pages of arrangements from "My Girl," including Fender bass, cello, trombone I (2 versions), trombone II (2 versions), trumpet I, trumpet II (2 versions), trumpet III (2 versions), trumpet IV, violins (3 versions). For "I Can't Get Next To You" we find the alto sax IV arrangement for an appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. From "Just My Imagination" we find 9 pages of 3-line arrangements for "Imagination Insert," a short section used in live performance, for bass, piano, tenor sax II and IV, trombone II and III, and trumpet I, II and III. Other big chart hits represented here include "The Way You Do the Things You Do," "Get Ready," "Beauty is Only Skin Deep," "Runaway Child," "Cloud Nine," and "Psychedelic Shack." "Walls of Dignity" stands out as a diazotype copy of an apparently unrecorded original composition with lyrics and vocal melody credited to Melvin Franklin, Tal James and Otis Williams.

Most of the arrangements are undated, although one is specified for a 1969 television performance. The latest hit we spot is "Hey Girl" from 1973, with none of the band's many chart hits from 1974 to 2000 represented. A more detailed listing of the music is available upon request.


Also included is a binder of sleeved Temptations-related memorabilia containing 12 items. It includes press photos of session musicians Mel Brown (drums) and Cornelius Grant (guitar); a 1979 press image of singer David Ruffin; a 1966 request for arrangements of Temptations songs submitted by Grant; a 1966[?] set list; a 1972 tour itinerary; and a metal master of an unidentified 45-rpm single (stamped "1-1-LP?").

Provenance: Collection of attorney Gregory J. Reed, who represented the estate of Temptations singer Davis Eli "David" Ruffin (1941-1991); unsold in various lots at his well-publicized auction at Guernsey's, 25 July 2018, lot 1019; purchased by the consignor at Reed's bankruptcy auction, 19 November 2019.

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