What made The Temptations so confident in kicking David Ruffin out?

[Billie Jean]

Looking back, this was bold af. They coulda lost their sales, fan base, and gone into debt. I get kicking out a member but the LEAD SINGER? And you all got kids?

Someone splain

 

[315]

I don't think it was as much confidence as it was that nikka was an out of control sherm head

 

[RaspberryFitted]

because the fans only came to see Otis

 

[R.E.N. Spells Ren]

He kinda forced their hands

 

[Worthless Loser]

He was out of control and they figured the brand name of the Temptations was strong enough to survive without him.

 

[David_TheMan]

Berry Gordy kicked him out not even in the group hands.

Gordy owned the name, all the works, and was confident he had a replacement. Remember Ruffin wasnt the first one thaf was replaced. Then he replaced Eddie and still was successful

 

[Hollywood Co]

They definitely went to another level with him but the group was started before he came along so Otis and the rest of the founders probably figured they could make up the difference without the chaos bro was causing.

It worked out too. They also would’ve needed a co-sign from Motown I would think. They might have had a plan in place to navigate moving on from him.

 

[Hathaway]

I read the book. They werent confident at all. But Davids ego coupled with his drug problem was out of control. He was costing them money and their reputation AND the reputation of Motown as their biggest group.

David was showing up late for high profile gigs. He was showing up high. And sometimes he wouldn't show up at all and instead, send his drug man in his place to tell the group David wont be here tonight. He was fukking everything up.

 

[Hathaway]

Berry Gordy kicked him out not even in the group hands.

Gordy owned the name, all the works, and was confident he had a replacement. Remember Ruffin wasnt the first one thaf was replaced. Then he replaced Eddie and still was successful

This is not true.

 

[Treblemaka]

Let's say you owned a company. Things are good but you decide to hire a good sales guy to increase revenue. At first revenue explodes due to good products and this sales person. After awhile tho this guy is only showing up to work once a week and when he shows up he's drunk and belligerent.

You going to continue to keep him employed? Keep in mind the company was doing okay before he came along and at this point he's pissing everybody off and being unproductive.

 

[Thebadguy]

Nobody is bigger than the group.



Plus Dennis Edwards ended up doing an amazing job so it worked out in the end.

 

[avon barksdale]

 

[King Poetic]

Dude was fukking up they money .

He was a cokehead, starting missing shows because he was fukking tami Terrell and also dean martin daughter and then he started asking Gordy about the books ( which I don’t blame him on that one I need to see the financials)

And also back then the GROUP not the lead singer was really the attraction compared to the 90s and up

 

[Eternally Jaded]

David was showing up late for high profile gigs. He was showing up high. And sometimes he wouldn't show up at all and instead, send his drug man in his place to tell the group David wont be here tonight. He was fukking everything up.

Yessir. Stuff like that is why my motto on drugs has always been "Not even once".

 

[get these nets]

Already answered, but when the lead vocalist consistently doesn't show up, you lose the audience, and the gigs will eventually dry up.
Better to get a replacement vocalist who is dependable. He's 80% of DR in terms of vocal talent, and star power, but that's a safer bet than a supremely talented singer who is unreliable.

*Not because of drugs, but Grand Puba was notorious for not showing up for shows during Brand Nubian's run after their first album. They left a LOT of money on the table because promoters wouldn't book them