When I first got the call to start working on Ain’t Too Proud – The Life And Times Of The Temptations, I was curious about which era the show was going to focus on. Their career began in the early 1960’s and they’re still releasing albums today. I first heard of The Temptations when I was younger through their big hits, but was never the kind of fan I turned out to be after digging deep into their catalogue as an adult.
I was a child of the mid-1970’s and early 80’s and really became interested in the group again through Rick James. Rick was a huge fan of The Temptations and I was a big fan of Rick’s. I enjoyed almost everything Rick James put his hands on during this period in his career. Rick would often feature the group on several songs he wrote and produced in the early 80’s. On several occasions, Rick would shout, “TEMPTATIONS SING!” At that point in the song, I would know The Temptations’ unique harmonies would be part of the chorus, or at least be the best part of his latest hit production.
Many people might not know that it was The Temptations singing background on his massive hit, “Super Freak.” “Standing On The Top,” another Rick James tune, went on to peak at number six on the R&B charts in 1982. It was during this time in the 80’s when the existing Temptations reunited with David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks for a short lived reunion tour. Unfortunately, it didn’t last long and signaled the end of an era, as well as David Ruffin’s life a few years later. Their songs lived on and their legacy remains intact.
Some of that story is recounted in my show Ain’t Too Proud. The musical explores the period of their musical journey from the early 1960’s until the reunion tour in the 80’s
“I feel it’s important to not only understand the music I’m playing in my show, but truly grasp the impact of The Temptations. They were not only Motown’s number one group, their worldwide impact was felt on multiple levels.”
“One of the simplest tunes to play, but one of the most satisfying ones is ‘Papa Was a Rolling Stone.’
…Sometimes simplicity is the secret to success.”
This is from an article I wrote for Billy Miller. You can read the rest on his site “The Miller Machine.”
I feel honored to be asked to write for his site and to be featured along with so many other incredibly talented Broadway drummers/percussionists.
Read more here:
https://themillermachine.com/blogs/articles/drumming-for-aint-too-proud-by-clayton-craddock
Clayton Craddock, the drummer of the hit broadway musical Ain't Too Proud. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Howard University's School of Business and is a 28 year veteran of the fast-paced New York City music scene.
He has played drums in several hit broadway and off-broadway musicals, including "Tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, and Lady Day At Emerson's Bar and Grill. Also, Clayton has worked on: Footloose, Motown, The Color Purple, Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Spongebob Squarepants, The Musical, Evita, Cats, and Avenue Q.
Clayton is also a father, independent thinker, and the founder and publisher of the social and political commentary newsletter Think Things Through and host of the Think Things Through Podcast. Clayton was formerly co-chair of the New York affiliate of National Parents Organization and has written for several online publications.
Follow him on Instagram, Twitter or read more on his website: claytoncraddock.com