Ain't Too Proud to Beg de Mark Ribowsky

Ain't Too Proud to Beg: The Troubled Lives and Enduring Soul of the Temptations

Mark Ribowsky

The first and only definitive biography of legendary Motown group, the Temptations The Temptations are an incomparable soul group, with dozens of chart–topping hits such as My Girl and Papa Was a Rollin Stone . From the sharp suits, stylish choreography, and distinctive vocals that epitomized their onstage triumphs to the personal failings and psycho–dramas that played out behind the scenes, Ain′t Too Proud to Beg tells the complete story of this most popular—and tragic—of all Motown super groups. Based on in–depth research and interviews with founding Temptations member Otis Williams and many others, the book reveals the highly individual, even mutually antagonistic, nature of the group′s members. Venturing beyond the money and the fame, it shares the compelling tale of these sometime allies, sometime rivals and reveals the unique dynamic of push and pull and give and take that resulted in musical genius. The first book to tell the whole story of Motown′s greatest group, with all–new interviews and previously undiscovered sources and photographs Gives the last word on enduring Motown mysteries, including the deaths of Paul Williams and David Ruffin and the truth behind Ruffin′s tumultuous romance with Tammi Terrell Reveals the secret "can′t miss" formula behind the Temptations′ thirty–seven chart hits Draws on more than one hundred interviews with the group′s associates, industry figures, family members, and most importantly, founding Temptation Otis Williams Ain′t Too Proud to Beg takes a cohesive and penetrating look at the life and enduring legacy of one of the greatest groups in popular music. It is essential reading for fans of the Temptations, music lovers, and anyone interested in the history of American popular culture over the last fifty years.

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Descriere

Praise for Mark Ribowsky "A dishy, insider look at Berry Gordy′s making of the Supremes…Ribowsky nicely intersperses some hindsight reflections by the main players…In this engaging, vivacious account, Ribowksy energetically and thoroughly underscores the Supremes′ significance as one fo the first crossover successes." — Publishers Weekly on The Supremes: A Saga of Motown Dreams, Success and Betrayal "Perfect…The virtue of Ribowsky′s book is that he brings the story down to earth without sacrificing its drama. Relying on frank and extensive interviews…Ribowsky spends time on details other writers have taken for granted." —Greil Marcus on He′s a Rebel: Phil Spector—Rock and Roll′s Legendary Producer "Ribowksy′s exploration of Wonder′s music is first–rate." — Publishers Weekly on Signed, Sealed, Delivered: The Soulful Journey of Stevie Wonder The Definitive Biography of Motown′s Greatest Group–The Temptations Based on in–depth research and interviews with fouding Temptations member Otis Williams, family members, industry figures and others, Ain′t Too Proud to Beg takes a penetrating look at the lives and enduring legacy of Motown′s all–time bestselling group. Whether you′re a Temptations fan, a Motown aficionado or a pop–culture buff, you must read this book.

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Cuprins

Acknowledgments. Introduction. 1 Check Yourself. 2 You′ve Got to Earn It. 3 Mind Over Matter. 4 Get Ready. 5 The Further You Look, the Less You See. 6 It′s Growing. 7 Dream Come True. 8 Don′t Look Back. 9 All I Need. 10 Runaway Child, Running Wild. 11 I′ll Be in Trouble. 12 Doin′ Fine on Cloud Nine. 13 Ball of Confusion. 14 Each Day Is a Lifetime. 15 Shakey Ground. 16 And the Band Played On. Discography: The Temptations′ Chart Hits. Index.

Notă biografică

Mark Ribowsky is the New York Times Notable Book author of The Supremes: A Saga of Motown Dreams, Success, and Betrayal, He′s a Rebel: Phil Spector—Rock and Roll′s Legendary Producer, Don′t Look Back: Stachel Paige in the Shadows of Baseball, and Signed, Sealed, Delivered: The Soulful Journey of Stevie Wonder. He has written for SPORT magazine and Inside Sports, was a staff writer for TV Guide, and has been a semi–regular contributor to Playboy and Penthouse. Mr. Ribowsky has been a guest on Dateline NBC, Primetime Live (ABC), Connie Chung, Geraldo Rivera, The Tavis Smiley Show, and many other network and cable TV shows. He lives in New York.