The Temptations "Sky's The Limit" 53rd Anniversary (1971) | Celebrating a Motown Classic

On this day in music history, The Temptations released their fourteenth studio album titled "Sky's The Limit" 53 years ago! Released on this day back in 1971.
This album was nothing but a bittersweet moment. As many of us know, this is the last Temptations album to feature founding members Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams. During the recording of this album, Eddie had already made up his mind that after this album, he would leave the group and go on as a solo artist. In fact, Eddie almost left a little bit before they were gonna record the album but Motown convinced him to continue with the group until they had another hit song. In the midst of it all, his relationship with Otis, and sometimes Melvin began to take a turn. Mainly between him and Otis most of the time. On the other hand, Paul Williams health was declining due to his sickle cell and drinking addiction, which he used to cope with his pain. Despite the hard times, the album had such great songs like "Unite The World," "Throw A Farewell Kiss," "Smiling Faces Sometimes," and more, including their #1 hit song "Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)." Their song 'Just My Imagination' is one of their many classics that we still love today, and it also became their very first platinum record! But by the time the album was released, along with the song going platinum, Eddie Kendricks had already left the Temptations and pursued his solo career. A few months later, Paul Williams was forced to retire after being advised by doctors when they found a spot in his liver. The album would go to reach at #16 on the Billboard 200 chart.
The Tempts may have went through some hard times during this album, but one thing you can say, they ended it off with a bang! This is such a classic Motown album that many fans still enjoy, as it's also one of my all-time favorite albums. Tell me in the comments below what's your favorite song off the album?!
Happy 53rd Anniversary to "Sky's The Limit!" Temptations Forever.
#temptations #temptationsforever #thetemptations #eddiekendricks #dennisedwards #paulwilliams #melvinfranklin #otiswilliams #skysthelimit #53yearsago #happyanniversary #53rdanniversary #motownrecords #motown #motownsound #motownclassics #motownmusi#motownlegends #70s #70snostalgia #70smusic #70svibes #70svintage #70sstyle #70ssoul #oldiesbutgoodies

[@brendathompson2378]

WOW! That Grammy Winning Team TEMPTATIONS ❤️ FOREVER

[@jaylene.turner6524]

Awesome album featuring
the third/Grammy lineup for the final time!
It also went to #2 on
the R&B Albums Chart.
I love “Just My Imagination”
and “Throw A Farewell Kiss”.

[@BrandonRobinson8321]

Great album, my faves are "Just My Imagination..." and "Smiling Faces Sometimes".

[@souljahrick]

Kind of a return to form for The temptations bringing more of a balance between the love ballads and the psychedelic socially conscious songs they had in their eras. For every just my imagination on this album, there is a smiling faces or throw a farewell kiss. There is a man also bittersweet because this is pretty much the swan song for Eddie and Paul in The temptations

[@jaylene.turner6524]

Paul stayed in the group.
That’s what the miniseries got wrong.
He was there when Ricky Owens
(Eddie’s first replacement) came in.
They re-recorded “It’s Summer”
with Paul after Eddie had left,
and it was featured on “Solid Rock”.
Even after Paul couldn’t perform
anymore,he was still an advisor
and choreographer.
He choreographed
“Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone”
and “Masterpiece”.

[@souljahrick]

@@jaylene.turner6524 I know Paul stayed in the group and became the choreographer because he had to retire but of note, this is the last time we heard him on a temptations album. Pretty much the whole album was Eddie and Dennis on lead except the one bar for Paul on just my imagination

[@paul_williams_fans]

The last time Paul was on a Temptations album was on the Solid Rock album. He was still a Temptation when they recorded the first song "It's Summer," but after that, he wasn't featured 🙏🏾

[@souljahrick]

@@paul_williams_fans true but it's summer was also on The psychedelic shack album

[@paul_williams_fans]

@@souljahrick Correct. He was on both versions.