Ron Tyson has been The Temptations' first tenor for the last 29 years. Born February 8, 1948 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was raised in Monroe, North Carolina. Ron was influenced at an early age by gospel music. While singing with his grandfather's gospel group, Southern Gospel Six, he recorded his first record at the age of 7. Pop recording duo (founding members of the group JODECI) "K-Ci's and Jo Jo's" grandfather also sang lead with Southern Gospel Six. Ron's grandfather, Horace Presson had a radio show and he was also a gospel music promoter. Ron traveled around performing with his grandfather. This experience enabled him to develop an appreciation for gospel music and taught him a great deal about the music business in general. Listen to a radio interview with the Temptations, conducted by Terry Barnes at Jobete studios in 1985, as Ron talks about the different groups he was inspired by and how much gospel music was a major influence in his career. The Temptations also sing a portion of a gospel song lead by Ron.
Ron later returned to Philadelphia and attended Thomas Edison, Onley, and the Granoffsky School of Music where he studied opera and the guitar. The guitar lessons were short lived, but the techniques he learned in his opera classes are often used in his performances now, such as breathing techniques, scales, & being able to determine a perfect pitch. With his "smoldering dark brown eyes" and his "strong chin", he is "the epitome of quiet cool". When you are fortunate enough to see him perform live or on video, notice the eyes. They dance and glimmer on the fast tunes and burn straight through your heart on the slow, sexy tracks that the Tempts are so famous for.
Before joining the Temptations, Ron was lead singer of The Ethics, with Carl "Nugie" Enlow, Andrew "Bike" Collins, & Joe Freeman. The Ethics represented a combination of remarkable vocal blending and versatile natural talents. The group originated during 1967 in Philadelphia and was produced and managed by Thadeus Wales in conjunction with Salassi Productions, Inc. One of so many groups reaching for the "big time" they were signed to Vent, a small local Independent company. Despite the standard problems so many small labels ran into, the music was good enough to sell very well. With songs like "Searching", "Farewell," & "Tell Me", these songs carry on that melodic vein and features Ron's ethereal falsetto to great effect. After Vent's demise, they carried on changing the group's name to "Love Committee". The line up for Love Committee included Norman Frazier, Larry Richardson, Joe Freeman, & Ron Tyson. After the death of Larry Richardson, Michael Bell, who also sang with "Sly, Slick, and Wicked", became the newest member. They recorded for TSOP and scored disco hits in the 70's for Ariola International and Gold Mind,popular for the R&B hit "Law And Order".
In addition to being a great singer/performer, Ron was also a hit making song writer and producer in Philadelphia. He wrote or co-wrote the majority of the songs for The Ethics & Love Committee. He worked with such artists as the O'Jays, First Choice, the Salsoul Orchestra, Gloria Gaynor, Loleatta Holloway, Double Exposure, The Trammps, and Bunny Sigler. He also worked with the Four Tops, Joe Simon, Curtis Mayfield, The Dells, Archie Bell and the Drells, Blue Magic and Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes. On Loleatta Holloway's LP, "Love Sensation", Ron co-wrote and co-produced "I'll be standing there" & on Curtis Mayfield's LP, "Heartbeat", Ron co-produced "Tell me, Tell me, How ya liked to be loved" & "Victory". Ron, along with Norman "The Machine" Harris, Ron Kersey, Alan Felder. Ronnie Baker and several others worked on alot of projects for "The Harris Machine" (Norman Harris' production company). They were a very popular songwriting and production team who scored major hits with a variety of artists for several years. They co-wrote and produced The Dells' "Betcha Never been loved (like this before)", "Teaser", "Our Love", "Rich Man Poor Man (peace), "Waiting for you" & the title track "They said it couldn't be done (but we did it)". On the Ojay's LP "Survival", Ron co-wrote "What am I waiting for" and on The Trammps' LP "Disco Inferno", he co-wrote "Starvin'" and "Don't burn no bridges". Ron also worked with the Legendary Joe Simon on his LP "Love Vibrations/Happy Birthday Baby". On this LP Ron co wrote & Co produced "I can't stand a liar", "Somebody for Everybody", "If you got the time(I got the place)", "It must be love" & "I.O.U.". Joe Simon was a great inspiration for Ron. Ron learned how to read music and special counts bars from Joe who was very influential in helping Ron to become a great songwriter. He taught Ron many different things about the art of songwriting. Bishop Joe Simon and Ron are still great friends today.
Ron also worked with Harris-Baker-Young, Philadelphia's disco rythm section that consisted of guitarist Norman "The Machine" Harris, drummer Earl Young, and bass player, Ron Baker. During the course of his many collaborations in Philly, Ron proved himself to be a hard worker, very determined, and a talented, sought after vocalist, writer, and producer.
The following statement appeared on the Dells' LP, "They said it couldn't be done but we did it", by WDAS radio personality Carl Helm in Philadelphia, 1977
"People wondered why this album is entitled...."They said it couldn't be done but we did it" so let me try to explain..... The year was 1956, The Dells at that time had hit after hit. I know you, like me, will never forget the classic sound of The Dells doing "Oh What A Night" and then there were the lean years and other groups had passed them by. People are still wondering what has happened to The Dells. Has the 20th century lost a great great group? Are there any producers, writers, and arrangers, who could bring back the good sound of the mighty mighty Dells? Seeing that this was a big challenge "The Harris Machine" decided to record the Dells' next album. Everyone said the Dells could not make it again, but believe me,"The Harris Machine" and the Dells have done it. When you listen to "They said it couldn't be done but we did it", you'll hear for yourself that it has been done".
Ron also co-wrote and co-produced "Private Property", "How can one man be so lucky", & "Love Connection", from The Dells' LP, "Love Connection", along with Ed Moore, Allan Felder, and Norman Harris.Ron Tyson
Ron Tyson's first appearance with the Temptations was on the "Motown 25" television special in 1983. His entry into the group was delayed for a couple of days because of a bad snowstorm, so easing him into the group slowly never worked out. The call asking the Temptations to perform on Motown 25 came in and Ron had to get to work. He had been working with a choreographer to learn the routines but after receiving the call to perform, he had to go with what he knew. After practicing a few moves (including the famous "Temptations Walk") while waiting in the wings backstage, a very nervous but excited Tyson went on stage and performed. He hit all the right notes and made all the right moves and has been an integral part of the Motown Legendary Group for over 29 years. Before that, he wrote the majority of songs on The Temptations' "HEAR to Tempt You" LP 1977, including the two singles, "In A Lifetime" and "Think For Yourself." Ron co-wrote songs and sang background on both Norman Harris produced Eddie Kendricks' albums, "He's A Friend" and "Goin' Up In Smoke." On "Goin' Up In Smoke" Phil Hurt, Bunny Sigler, & Carl Helm also sang background with Ron. Ron also sang background vocals on several of the sessions in Philly. Ron has quite a vocal range. Although he is known for singing in his sweet falsetto voice, he is very capable of singing bass as well.
"Tyson comes alive on stage . . .and his fine tenor voice is capable of a "shimmering" falsetto. Before he became a member of the group, Ron was a big Temptations fan and patterned his style after the late great Eddie Kendricks, his idol. Becoming the 13th member of this legendary Motown group and filling the spot that was once held by Eddie was one of the greatest things that ever happened for him. He does an excellent job handling the vocals once performed by Eddie Kendricks, but does he feel the pressure of being compared to the legendary tenor? "No, I don't think so," he replied". Eddie was one in a million. He was my idol. I just try to keep the sound." Ron is the fourth replacement for Eddie Kendricks after he left the group in 1971. Before Tyson, there was Rickey Owens, Damon Harris, and Glenn Leonard.
Tyson has seen the group through some lean years, and at last his perseverance and hard work is paying off. "Our time has finally come around," he said. "Great things are happening."
Get a copy of "Phoenix Rising" and listen for yourself. You'll understand why it was nominated for a Grammy award and reached double platinum status. On May 16th 2000, Motown released The Temptations' 57th album, "EAR-Resistible". They received a Grammy in the best R & B Traditional CD category on February 21, 2001 at the 43rd Annual Grammy Ceremony. Ron sings several leads and shared leads, including "Got to get on the Road", "Proven and True", & "Kiss me like you miss me." Ron also co-wrote the song, "Party" on this CD. On November 20, 2001, The Temptations' 58th album entitled "Awesome" was released. Ron's leads and shared leads include "So Easy", "Swept Away", "I Feel Good", and "Open Letter, My One Temptation-interlude". In addition to singing lead, Ron co-wrote "So Easy" and "My One Temptation-interlude". On this interlude, Ron performs ALL of the vocal harmonies in the background with the exception of the bass.
Quite the entertainer, Ron serves as master of ceremonies for the Temptations' shows. By encouraging audience participation, Ron keeps everyone pumped up throughout the entire performance and he lends his expert showmanship to the "My Girl" segment of the show. Always a crowd pleaser, two lucky individuals are chosen to show their talents by wiggling their hips to the beat and singing a portion of "My Girl", The Temptations' "signature" song, as Ron offers them the microphone. He is very amusing with his great sense of humor, keeping the audience laughing with his quick wit and his different comedy routines.
29 years later, Ron Tyson is still counting his blessings and very thankful to be a part of this wonderful and legendary group.
Ron's brother, Dave Tyson sings tenor with the legendary group, "The Manhattans".
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