The Temptations made an appearance on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ in 1971 to perform their hit, ‘Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me).’ Ed introduces the group, and the camera takes a wide-angle to show the five-member group sitting on 3 separate sections of large white steps.
Eddie Kendricks is the closest to the camera, and he sings the lead. The other members are on the remaining steps, and everyone is dressed in a black suit with matching ties over a red shirt with a red pocket handkerchief. Their smooth looks mirror their smooth, harmonized vocals.
The group remains seated on the steps for the entire performance while conveying the emotion of the lyrics through facial expressions. The backing band does a beautiful job adding to the original recording’s instrumentation.
The addition of strings and horns makes the song sound fuller than ever. This version is more dynamic than the original recorded track due to the incredible band arrangement. As always, ‘The Temptations’ deliver their signature appeal as a well-dressed, amazing pop vocal group.
‘The Temptations’ formed in Detroit, Michigan, and recorded on Motown Records during the 60s and 70s. Their original name was ‘The Elgins,’ comprised of members from two rival vocal groups in Detroit.
‘Just My Imagination’ was featured on the 1971 album ‘Sky’s the Limit.’ The song reached number 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Years later, ‘Rolling Stone’ magazine named it song number 389 on the list of ‘500 Greatest Songs of All Time.’
The hit tune has become one of the songs most associated with ‘The Temptations’ along with their other hits, including ‘My Girl’ and ‘The Way You Do the Things You Do.’ This timeless classic sounds better than ever on the set of ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ in 1971!
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