Voting Station

Paul Williams (Temptations)

Please vote to return to collections.

Vocalist

The Resume

    (July 2, 1939-August 17, 1973)
    Born in Ensley, Alabama
    Baritone in the Temptations (1961-71)
    Died from a gunshot to the head
    Death officially ruled a suicide

Why he might be annoying:

    He fathered at least three children out of wedlock.
    He ended up owing $80,000 in back taxes after a fashion boutique he opened in Detroit went bankrupt.
    During his final year with the Temptations, poor health and heavy drinking had caused his performance to deteriorate so badly that he would lip synch his parts while his future replacement, Richard Street, sang from behind a backdrop.
    The song intended as his solo debut -- 'Feel Like Givin' Up' -- was shelved after his death, as the title was deemed too morbid in light of his suicide.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He suffered from sickle-cell anemia.
    Before Motown hired a full-time choreographer, he developed dance moves for both his group and the Supremes, most notably their signature moves for 'Stop! In the Name of Love.'
    To help him get back on his feet, the Temptations continued paying him a share of the group's earnings after he left the band.
    He was featured in the video for Diana Ross' 'Missing You,' along with fellow late Motown performers Marvin Gaye and Florence Ballard.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 6 Votes: 16.67% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 6 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 8 Votes: 62.50% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 382 Votes: 45.55% Annoying