Melvin Franklin, 52, an original member of the Temptations whose deep voice anchored the harmonies on such hits as "The Way You Do the Things You Do" and "My Girl," died Thursday in Los Angeles after a series of seizures. Born David English, he sang with the Elgins, later called the Primes, who began recording for Detroit's Motown Records in 1960. Two years later, the group reformed as the Temptations.
The group, which for much of its heyday featured Franklin, Otis Williams, Eddie Kendricks, Paul Williams and David Ruffin, recorded 43 Top 10 singles. By 1982, the Temptations had sold an estimated 22 million records. In September, they got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
There were frequent personnel changes, but Franklin and best friend, Otis Williams, who began singing together when they were 14, remained as the only two original members still involved in Temptations performances. Mr. Williams is now the sole surviving original member.
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