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Artist profile · 04/07/2026

The Temptations

DetroitFormed in 1960Compilations11 vinyl albums
The Temptations, an American soul vocal group from Detroit, began in 1960. Their style blends soul, funk, psychedelic rock, and R&B, anchored in Motown's classic sound.
Explore the discographyThe 3 must-haves
11
Albums on Vinyles.com
2.4M
Last.fm listeners
26M
Last.fm plays

About

17 vinyl albums including 1972's 'All Directions' and 1973's 'Masterpiece' — original pressings range €1.5 to €25+.

Formed in Detroit in 1960, The Temptations are a seminal Motown vocal group known for their rich harmonies and dynamic stage presence. They recorded breakthrough singles early in their career and produced multiple studio albums throughout the 1960s and 1970s, spanning soul, funk, and psychedelic soul genres. The band navigated lineup changes while charting numerous hits, including 'Papa Was a Rollin' Stone' in 1972.

Vinyl collectors will find 17 albums listed on Vinyles.com, featuring key releases like 'All Directions', 'Masterpiece', and 'Sky's The Limit'. These albums come in various pressings across the US, Europe, and Jamaica, with original pressings typically priced between €1.5 and €25 in current markets.

Discography

The Temptations discography

Studio albums, live records, compilations and radio recordings. Each album groups all its editions.

Temptations 60The TemptationsTemptations 60
BeginningsThe TemptationsBeginnings
Emperors of Soul: The RaritiesThe TemptationsEmperors of Soul: The Rarities
All the TimeThe TemptationsAll the Time
Still HereThe TemptationsStill Here
Back to FrontThe TemptationsBack to Front

Data provided by Discogs

Listen

Signature songs

  1. 01My Girl
  2. 02Ain't Too Proud to Beg
  3. 03Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)Sky's The Limit · 1971
  4. 04Get Ready
  5. 05The Way You Do the Things You Do
  6. 06Papa Was A Rollin' Stone - Single Version
  7. 07Papa Was a Rollin' StoneAll Directions · 1972
  8. 08I Can't Get Next to YouPuzzle People · 1969

Essentials

3 The Temptations albums you need to own

Our picks, approved by the editors.

  1. #1 · 1972
    LP, Album

    All Directions

    Includes the epic 11:45 title track 'Papa Was a Rollin' Stone'. A core funk-soul album emblematic of the group’s early 70s sound.

    8 tracksTamla Motown labelOriginal 1972 pressing available in Italy and Jamaica
    Discover the album
  2. #2 · 1973
    LP, Album

    Masterpiece

    Features the lengthy, almost 14-minute title track, blending sophisticated soul and funk over 6 tracks. Original US Gordy pressing sought after.

    6 tracksGordy labelOriginal 1973 US pressingWidely available pressings
    Discover the album
  3. #3 · 1971
    LP, Album

    Sky's The Limit

    Includes the hit 'Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)' and rich vocal performances. Pressed under Gordy and Tamla Motown labels.

    8 tracksStereo editions commonOriginal pressings in US and Jamaica
    Discover the album

Go further

Artists similar to The Temptations

Artists who share part of The Temptations's musical DNA.

The Four Tops
The Supremes
The Miracles
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
Gladys Knight & The Pips
Smokey Robinson and The Miracles
The O'Jays
Diana Ross and the Supremes

B-side

B-side: the hidden stories of The Temptations

Studio secrets, tour stories and B-sides worth the whole album.

01Studio

Recording of 'Masterpiece' in 1973

The soul and funk album 'Masterpiece' was recorded under the Gordy label in the US, released with catalogue number G965L. The original 1973 LP pressing remains available, with prices from €1.5 upwards across multiple editions.

1973US
02Hit Track

'Papa Was a Rollin' Stone' Epic Track

'Papa Was a Rollin' Stone' runs 11:45 minutes on the 1972 album 'All Directions' released on the Tamla Motown label. It exemplifies the group’s early 70s psychedelic soul style.

1972Detroit
03Lineup Change

David Ruffin replaces Elbridge Bryant in 1964

In 1964, David Ruffin replaced founding member Elbridge Bryant, marking a turning point that led to 37 top ten hits and several key albums including 'Meet the Temptations' and 'The Temptin' Temptations'.

1964Detroit
04Release

Original pressing of 'Psychedelic Shack' in 1970

'Psychedelic Shack' was issued in 1970 on Gordy in the US, heralding the group’s exploration into psychedelic soul. Original stereo LPs catalogue GS947 still appear in vinyl markets.

1970US
"Our sound is rooted in Detroit, blending tradition with innovations like psychedelic soul."
— Motown era reflection
"The 1972 'All Directions' album featuring 'Papa Was a Rollin' Stone' remains a vinyl collector's highlight."
— Collector's commentary

The Temptations CDs

See all

Recommended accessories

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FAQ

FAQ

The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.

When did The Temptations form and where?

The group formed in Detroit, United States, in 1960, pioneering Motown soul and vocal group styles.

Which are the top essential albums for vinyl collectors?

Key albums include 'All Directions' (1972), 'Masterpiece' (1973), and 'Sky's The Limit' (1971); original pressings remain in circulation.

What genres does The Temptations' music cover?

Their music blends soul, funk, psychedelic soul, disco, and rhythm & blues, reflecting evolving 60s and 70s styles.

Are there rare vinyl pressings of The Temptations in France?

While original US and Jamaican pressings are more common, some European releases on labels like Tamla Motown can be found in French vinyl shops.

Where can I find detailed vinyl pricing for The Temptations releases?

Vinyles.com tracks current market prices ranging from €1.5 for originals like 'Masterpiece' to €25 for rarer albums such as Italian 'All Directions'.

How popular are The Temptations on streaming platforms today?

They have over 2.4 million listeners and 26 million plays, showing enduring appeal in soul and Motown circles.

Does The Temptations' lineup changed significantly over the years?

Yes, the group saw multiple changes, notably David Ruffin joining in 1964 and later departures starting in the 1970s.

Are The Temptations associated with any notable other Motown acts?

They share the Motown legacy alongside acts like The Four Tops, The Supremes, and Smokey Robinson & The Miracles.

Transparency

Sources & method

This profile is compiled by the vinyles.com editors from public sources and our marketplace.

  • WP
    Wikipedia
    Encyclopaedic data and biography
  • MB
    MusicBrainz
    Artist metadata, dates, type
  • DG
    Discogs
    Discography, pressings and market prices
  • LF
    Last.fm
    Listeners, plays, similar artists
  • VC
    Vinyles.com
    In-house catalog, prices and availability

Our method

  1. Discography data from MusicBrainz (dates, country, active years).
  2. Tracklists, covers and genres from Discogs Masters.
  3. Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
  4. Audience and similar artists from Last.fm.
  5. Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editors.
Last updated: 04/07/2026