Melvin Franklin was one of the founding members of the iconic Motown group The Temptations, known for his deep and distinctive bass voice. He sang on many of the group’s classic hits, such as “My Girl”, “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg”, and “Papa Was a Rolling Stone”. He was also a loyal and dedicated member, staying with the group until his death in 1995. But how did he die, and what were the circumstances that led to his tragic demise?
Early Life and Career
Melvin Franklin was born as David Melvin English on October 12, 1942, in Montgomery, Alabama. His biological father was a preacher who raped his teenage mother, Rose English. He was raised by his grandmother until he moved to Detroit with his mother and stepfather, Willard Franklin, at the age of 10. He took his stepfather’s surname as his stage name, and later changed his first name to Melvin to avoid confusion with another singer named David Ruffin, who would join The Temptations in 1964.
Melvin Franklin developed a passion for music at an early age, and joined several local singing groups in Detroit, including The Voice Masters, where he met Richard Street, who would also become a member of The Temptations in the 1970s. He also attended Northwestern High School, where he met Otis Williams, the founder and leader of The Temptations. Williams was impressed by Franklin’s bass voice and invited him to join his group, then called Otis Williams and the Distants, in 1958. Franklin was only 15 years old at the time.
The group signed with Motown Records in 1961, and changed their name to The Temptations. They struggled to find success in their early years, until they teamed up with the songwriting and production team of Holland-Dozier-Holland, who gave them their first hit, “The Way You Do the Things You Do”, in 1964. The group then rose to fame with a string of chart-topping singles, such as “My Girl”, “Get Ready”, “I Wish It Would Rain”, and “I Can’t Get Next to You”. Franklin’s bass voice was a key element of the group’s signature sound, often providing the spoken or sung introductions, interludes, or endings of the songs.
Health Problems and Death
Melvin Franklin suffered from various health problems throughout his life, including arthritis, diabetes, and rheumatic fever. He also survived several accidents and incidents, such as being shot in the hand and leg by a carjacker in 1978, and being involved in a car crash that left him in a coma for a week in 1980. He recovered from these injuries, but his health continued to deteriorate in the 1980s and 1990s.
In 1995, he contracted necrotizing fasciitis, a rare and serious bacterial infection that destroys the skin and soft tissue. He underwent surgery to remove the infected tissue, but developed complications, such as seizures and respiratory failure. He was admitted to Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, where he slipped into a coma and died of heart failure on February 23, 1995. He was 52 years old.
His death was a huge shock and loss for his family, friends, fans, and fellow Temptations. He was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California, where his tombstone reads “The Temptations Forever”. He was also posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the rest of the group in 1989, and into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999.
Legacy and Influence
Melvin Franklin was one of the most influential and respected bass singers in the history of music. He was admired for his vocal range, versatility, and charisma, as well as his loyalty and dedication to The Temptations. He was also a mentor and friend to many of the younger members who joined the group after him, such as Dennis Edwards, Damon Harris, Glenn Leonard, and Ron Tyson.
His bass voice has been imitated and sampled by many artists, such as Tupac Shakur, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Eminem. He has also been portrayed in various films and television shows, such as The Temptations (1998), a biographical miniseries based on Otis Williams’ book, where he was played by D.B. Woodside, and Ain’t Too Proud (2018), a Broadway musical based on the group’s story, where he was played by Jawan M. Jackson.
Melvin Franklin was a musical legend who left behind a legacy of timeless songs and unforgettable performances. He was a true talent in the art of singing, and a beloved member of The Temptations family. He will always be remembered and missed by his fans and admirers around the world.
