David Melvin English (October 12, 1942 – February 23, 1995) better known by the stage name Melvin Franklin or his nickname "Blue", was an American bass singer. Franklin was best known for his role as a founding member of Motown singing group The Temptations from 1960 to 1995.
Early life
David English was born in Montgomery, Alabama to Rose English, a teenage mother from nearby Mobile. His biological father was the preacher of the English family's church in Mobile; he impregnated her through rape. Following David's birth, Rose English married Willard Franklin and moved to Detroit. Her grandmother however insisted on raising young David and was left behind in her care. David English later moved to Detroit with his mother and stepfather in 1952 at age ten.
Taking on his stepfather's surname for his stage name as a teenager, David English—now Melvin Franklin—was a member of a number of local singing groups in Detroit, including The Voice Masters with Lamont Dozier and David Ruffin, and frequently performed with Richard Street. In 1959, the Voice Masters signed with Anna Records, a label co-founded by Berry Gordy's sister Anna. The group recorded several singles, including "Needed" and "Hope and Pray". Franklin often affectionately referred to Street and Ruffin as his "cousins" (although they were not related). Around this time, Franklin romantically pursued future Supremes singer Mary Wilson.
Career
1958–1960: Early career
In 1958, Otis Williams, a classmate of Franklin's at Detroit's Northwestern High School, had formed his own singing group, Otis Williams and the Siberians. The group were negotiating a contract with record producer Johnnie Mae Matthews to record singles. However, Arthur Walton, the group's bass singer, departed the group to finish high school. To replace him, Williams remembered Franklin from the Voice Masters. He spotted Franklin walking along a nearby neighborhood and rushed him with an offer to join the group as their bass singer. Franklin responded, "Well, I don't know you. You have to ask my momma." Williams explained the situation to Rose Franklin, who agreed to have her son join the group. Vernard Plain, the group's lead singer, also departed the group, in which Franklin brought in Street to replace him.
The Siberians (now renamed Otis Williams and the Distants)—Williams, Franklin, Street, Elbridge "Al" Bryant, and James "Pee Wee" Crawford—recorded at Matthews' Northern Records, releasing singles such as "Come On" (1959) and "Alright" (1960). Around this time, Franklin briefly attended Wayne State University. A dispute over the group's royalties with Matthews led to the termination of their contract with Northern Records. By 1960, the Distants had been reduced to a trio after Street left the group.
1961–1995: The Temptations
After losing the Distants name, the remaining members aligned with Paul Williams and Eddie Kendricks to form the Elgins. In March 1961, the Elgins signed with Motown Records under a new name: The Temptations. As a member of the Temptations, Franklin acquired the nickname "Blue" among his bandmates because of his obsession with the Italian song "Nel blu, dipinto di blu" (also known as "Volare" in English).
Franklin and Otis Williams were the only founding Temptations who never left the group. One of the most famous bass singers in music throughout his career, Franklin's deep vocals became one of the group's signature trademarks. Franklin sang a handful of featured leads with the group as well, including the songs "I Truly, Truly Believe" (The Temptations Wish It Would Rain, 1968), "Silent Night" (Give Love At Christmas, 1980), "The Prophet" (A Song for You, 1975), and his signature live performance number, "Ol' Man River". Franklin was usually called upon to deliver ad-libs, harmony vocals, and, during the psychedelic soul era, notable sections of the main verses. Franklin memorably sang the line "and the band played on" from The Temptations' 1970 hit single "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)".