Biography
Originating in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Temptones formed a blue-eyed soul ensemble whose studio activity spanned less than two years during their college days, specifically 1966 to 1967. Daryl Hall, who later rose to fame alongside John Oates, served as lead vocalist from the outset. The lineup also featured Barry Glazer, Ken Halpern, Brian Utain, and Paul Fogel, viewed by many as the fifth member. Near the end of the group’s run, John Oates added rhythm guitar for stage dates but never entered the studio with them.
A second-place finish at the James Brown Talent Show staged at Philadelphia’s Uptown Theater during the headliner’s two-week engagement brought modest cash and a contract with Arctic Records. Individual agreements were executed, and Gamble & Huff together with Jimmy Bishop oversaw production. Rehearsals led directly to live tracking at Sigma Sound Studios without overdubs, as Glazer later noted. Two singles appeared yet failed to chart, ending the Arctic association. The act dissolved after one member departed and another received his draft notice.
Live work proved more successful than the recordings. Engagements included two Freedom Shows in Philadelphia, multiple Uptown Theater dates, and television spots such as The Jerry Blavatt Show. Shared bills regularly placed them alongside the Vibrations, the Delfonics, the Intruders, the Temptations—whose late Paul Williams the group regarded as a sponsor—and fellow blue-eyed soul outfit the Magnificent Men. Audiences often booed at the first sight of the singers yet responded with applause after hearing them perform. Among the highlights was their Temptations-styled rendition of “Old Man River” before 10,000 listeners at one of the Philadelphia Freedom Shows.
Afterward Glazer established a photo-processing lab, Fogel entered medical practice, and Hall achieved stardom. In 1996 Bear Family Records in Germany issued a 21-track CD compiling Temptones material that included the Radiants’ “Voice Your Choice,” the Impressions’ “I’ve Been Trying,” and numerous Temptations songs.
A second-place finish at the James Brown Talent Show staged at Philadelphia’s Uptown Theater during the headliner’s two-week engagement brought modest cash and a contract with Arctic Records. Individual agreements were executed, and Gamble & Huff together with Jimmy Bishop oversaw production. Rehearsals led directly to live tracking at Sigma Sound Studios without overdubs, as Glazer later noted. Two singles appeared yet failed to chart, ending the Arctic association. The act dissolved after one member departed and another received his draft notice.
Live work proved more successful than the recordings. Engagements included two Freedom Shows in Philadelphia, multiple Uptown Theater dates, and television spots such as The Jerry Blavatt Show. Shared bills regularly placed them alongside the Vibrations, the Delfonics, the Intruders, the Temptations—whose late Paul Williams the group regarded as a sponsor—and fellow blue-eyed soul outfit the Magnificent Men. Audiences often booed at the first sight of the singers yet responded with applause after hearing them perform. Among the highlights was their Temptations-styled rendition of “Old Man River” before 10,000 listeners at one of the Philadelphia Freedom Shows.
Afterward Glazer established a photo-processing lab, Fogel entered medical practice, and Hall achieved stardom. In 1996 Bear Family Records in Germany issued a 21-track CD compiling Temptones material that included the Radiants’ “Voice Your Choice,” the Impressions’ “I’ve Been Trying,” and numerous Temptations songs.