Richard Street, the voice that resonated with The Temptations during their prominent resurgence in the 1970s and 1980s, passed away early Wednesday morning in Las Vegas from a pulmonary embolism. He was 70 years old. His contribution to the legendary Motown group solidified his place in music history.
A Detroit native, Richard Street’s journey with The Temptations officially began in 1971. However, his association with the group extended much further back. In the 1950s, he shared stages with future Temptations members Otis Williams and Melvin Franklin in their earlier vocal group, The Distants. This early connection foreshadowed his significant role in the group’s later success.
The passing of Richard Street comes shortly after the death of Damon Harris on February 18th. Harris had joined The Temptations at the same time as Street, and was a member for four years, marking a poignant period of loss for the Temptations family and their fans.
Before fully committing to The Temptations, Richard Street was a versatile talent within Motown Records. He contributed to the label’s quality control, recorded with his own group, The Monitors, and even stepped in occasionally for Paul Williams, The Temptations’ ailing baritone singer. This experience within the Motown system prepared him for his eventual full-time role.
Richard Street became a permanent Temptation following Paul Williams’ departure. This era marked a significant period of success for the group, including a Grammy Award win and major pop chart hits such as Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone (1972) and Masterpiece (1973). His vocal presence was integral to these iconic tracks and the albums they came from.
During Richard Street’s tenure, which lasted until 1993, The Temptations achieved remarkable chart success, racking up over four dozen Top 40 hits on Billboard’s R&B chart. His departure from the group in 1993 was reportedly due to personal disagreements with Otis Williams, bringing an end to a long and fruitful chapter.
“He had a very colorful career,” commented his former wife, Cal Gill Street of The Velvelettes, highlighting his impactful years with the group during their “very productive years.” The couple, both part of the Motown family, were married in 1969 and divorced in 1983. They briefly resided in Bel Air, California, in the mid-1970s before returning to Michigan. Their son, Richard Street Jr., currently resides in Kalamazoo.
In his later years, Richard Street had been unwell for the past year but was in the process of writing a book about his life and extensive music career, according to friend Jeanne Sorenson. This autobiography would have provided further insight into his experiences within the music industry and his time with The Temptations.
Richard Street is survived by his wife, Cynthia Street of Las Vegas, along with two sons and two daughters. Details regarding funeral arrangements are yet to be announced. His legacy as a key vocalist for The Temptations during a vital period in their history will undoubtedly endure.
