Rhythm and Blues Singer. Best remembered as the bass singer for the famed-influential Motown vocal group, The Temptations. Born David Melvin English in Montgomery, Alabama, his stage name Franklin came from his mother's surname, Franklin. Nicknamed "Blue" by friends and fellow singers because he liked everything blue. He was a member of many local singing groups in Detroit, including The Voice Masters. He attended Northwestern High, where he met Otis Williams, and this would be the beginning of a relationship between Otis and Melvin that would last for over thirty years. Melvin joined The Distants as the groups rumbling bass, due to a previous contract agreement, The Distants name changed to "The Elgins." In 1961, The Elgins auditioned for Berry Gordy and was signed with Motown with a new name, "The Temptations." Melvin sang lead with the group on classic songs like "I Truly, Truly Believe", "The Prophet", and his best known live performance, "Ol' Man River". The Temptations' 1970 #3 hit "Ball of Confusion" (That's What the World is Today) and the band played on, became Melvin's trademark. In the late 1960s, he was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and in the early 1980s, he developed diabetes. In 1989, The Temptations were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 1993, Melvin became ill, suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes, he wouldn't perform again until after July of 1994. On February 17, 1995, after a series of seizures, Melvin lapsed into a coma and remained unconscious until his death. In 1999, The Temptations were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. For their contributions to music, The Temptations have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located at 7060 Hollywood Blvd. Otis and Melvin were the only two Temptations never to quit the group.
Rhythm and Blues Singer. Best remembered as the bass singer for the famed-influential Motown vocal group, The Temptations. Born David Melvin English in Montgomery, Alabama, his stage name Franklin came from his mother's surname, Franklin. Nicknamed "Blue" by friends and fellow singers because he liked everything blue. He was a member of many local singing groups in Detroit, including The Voice Masters. He attended Northwestern High, where he met Otis Williams, and this would be the beginning of a relationship between Otis and Melvin that would last for over thirty years. Melvin joined The Distants as the groups rumbling bass, due to a previous contract agreement, The Distants name changed to "The Elgins." In 1961, The Elgins auditioned for Berry Gordy and was signed with Motown with a new name, "The Temptations." Melvin sang lead with the group on classic songs like "I Truly, Truly Believe", "The Prophet", and his best known live performance, "Ol' Man River". The Temptations' 1970 #3 hit "Ball of Confusion" (That's What the World is Today) and the band played on, became Melvin's trademark. In the late 1960s, he was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and in the early 1980s, he developed diabetes. In 1989, The Temptations were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 1993, Melvin became ill, suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes, he wouldn't perform again until after July of 1994. On February 17, 1995, after a series of seizures, Melvin lapsed into a coma and remained unconscious until his death. In 1999, The Temptations were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. For their contributions to music, The Temptations have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located at 7060 Hollywood Blvd. Otis and Melvin were the only two Temptations never to quit the group.
Bio by: Babe
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DAVID M. ENGLISH
AKA MELVIN FRANKLIN
1942 𝄞 1995
BELOVED HUSBAND AND SON
"WORLD'S GREATEST BASS SINGER"
Family Members
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