*On this day in 1978, Melvin “Blue” Franklin of The Temptations – with perhaps the most recognizable deep voice in popular music – survived being shot multiple times in the hand and leg during an attempted carjacking in Los Angeles.
The Temptations were just weeks away from releasing their studio album “Bare Back,” the second of two albums for Atlantic Records after they temporarily left Motown in 1976.
The group performed the racy title track on “Soul Train.”
On August 18, 1978, Franklin pulled up to a hair salon in West Hollywood and left his car running while he jumped out to talk with a female friend. Welp, someone seized the opportunity and jumped into the driver’s seat, attempting to drive off. Franklin was shot four times in the hand and leg while trying to stop the guy. The carjacker then pushed Franklin out of the car and sped away.
Franklin would recover from his injuries, but not in time for the Temptations’ upcoming tour of Poland. Group member Otis Williams sang his parts for the trip behind the Iron Curtain, likely including “You’re So Easy to Love,” the lone “Bare Back” track featuring Melvin singing lead.
Listen below:
Several years later, Franklin took his talents to animation with a gig on the 1984 series “Pole Position,” loosely based on the popular arcade game. Franklin voiced the AI computer of a red and black 1965 Ford Mustang named Wheels.
Watch below, beginning at the 15 minute mark.
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