Biography
Cleveland Jones leads this Number 1, L.A. based tribute to Motown’s premiere men’s vocal group, with such numbers as: “The way you do the things you do”, “My Girl”, “Ain’t too proud to beg”, “Just my imagination”, & “Papa was a rolling stone”.
Jones started in the late 60s as a background singer for the late David Ruffin on his departure from “The Temptations”, as “David Ruffin and the Fellows”. Jones wrote the hit single “I Just Want to Hold You”. at Jobet Records, & others for Motown. Jones later recruited other singers and became the revue of “The Temptations” performing with “Black Ice”.for HDM Records, TK Records, and Capitol Records, from which they released “I Just Want to Hold You”, also recorded by “The Chi-Lites”. Jones reunited with Al Boyd (who was also with Ruffin’s Fellows, and who wrote the Temptations hit “Standing on Shaky Ground”) to pay tribute to the fallen Temptations. Based out of Cleveland, Ohio, Boyd started out with a vocal group called “The Imperial Wonders”, which is still well known in Cleveland, and is still under his guidance. The members that perform with this revue of “The Temptations” are: Cleveland Jones, Frank Willis (from “The Soul Sonics” and “Black Ice”), Fred Iiams (from the band “Funkalicious”), and Jon-Mykal (from the band “Clever”), occasionally Barrington Henderson (who was with Otis Williams’ “Temptations” from 1997 to 2003), Gerald Bell (from “The Soul Sonics” and “Black Ice”), and Ron Pryor (from “The Young Hearts”).
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Jones started in the late 60s as a background singer for the late David Ruffin on his departure from “The Temptations”, as “David Ruffin and the Fellows”. Jones wrote the hit single “I Just Want to Hold You”. at Jobet Records, & others for Motown. Jones later recruited other singers and became the revue of “The Temptations” performing with “Black Ice”.for HDM Records, TK Records, and Capitol Records, from which they released “I Just Want to Hold You”, also recorded by “The Chi-Lites”. Jones reunited with Al Boyd (who was also with Ruffin’s Fellows, and who wrote the Temptations hit “Standing on Shaky Ground”) to pay tribute to the fallen Temptations. Based out of Cleveland, Ohio, Boyd started out with a vocal group called “The Imperial Wonders”, which is still well known in Cleveland, and is still under his guidance. The members that perform with this revue of “The Temptations” are: Cleveland Jones, Frank Willis (from “The Soul Sonics” and “Black Ice”), Fred Iiams (from the band “Funkalicious”), and Jon-Mykal (from the band “Clever”), occasionally Barrington Henderson (who was with Otis Williams’ “Temptations” from 1997 to 2003), Gerald Bell (from “The Soul Sonics” and “Black Ice”), and Ron Pryor (from “The Young Hearts”).
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In July of 2003, The 5 Temps led a parade of acts to Las Vegas in one of Las Vegas’ hottest shows: The Motown and Doo Wop Celebrity Tribute to the Stars. The show featured: “The Temptations”, “The Supremes”, “The Four Tops”, “The Miracles”, “The Vandellas”, and “The Marvelletes”. The Doo Wop show featured: “The Platters”, “Shep and the Limelites”, “The Drifters”, “The Coasters”, “The Shirelles”, and “The Chantelles”. This show was performed at The Greek Isles (formerly the Debbie Reynolds Theater) and The Castaways Hotel.
Jones stated that, being an inner-city youth (from Compton and Los Angeles), he does not know how his life would have turned out without the influence of the original Temptations. He followed Eddie Kendricks and patterned his sweet falsetto after him. Having had so many temptations and adversities in his life, he is glad he chose the “right” Temptations. Along with the other fellows, they undoubtably are the heir to the throne of the original Temptations. Otis Williams & Dennis Edwards still keep the legacy alive. TEMPTATIONS FOREVER!
Jones stated that, being an inner-city youth (from Compton and Los Angeles), he does not know how his life would have turned out without the influence of the original Temptations. He followed Eddie Kendricks and patterned his sweet falsetto after him. Having had so many temptations and adversities in his life, he is glad he chose the “right” Temptations. Along with the other fellows, they undoubtably are the heir to the throne of the original Temptations. Otis Williams & Dennis Edwards still keep the legacy alive. TEMPTATIONS FOREVER!
