Deliver Us from Temptation

Rating:
Summary: Fast-Paced and Fun-Filled!
Review: I am a die-hard fan of entertainment bio's---especially those of Motown stars. I've read books about Martha Reeves, Gladys Knight, Mary Wilson, Michael Jackson, Two About Marvin, and four about the diva herself, Diana. In 'All That Glittered', Tony spun an interesting tale about the Supremes, told through the eyes of Florence. Having read this book after Mary's two books, I was amazed at how similar and how much more info Tony gave. Tony's way of writing makes you feel that you are in the middle of a gossip fest! It's fast, fluid, funny and very entertaining---which is why I decided to read his second book about The Temptations.

So I decided to find out what all the hoopla was about. It took me a long time to find one at the price I could afford but once it arrived in the mail, I immediately got to work on it. This book is as fast paced and fun-filled as his first on The Supremes. My goodness, I could not put it down'242 pgs of dish! Unlike Otis William's bio focused on Melvin and him, this one tells the story of the 3 legendary LEAD singers Eddie, Dennis and David.

The focus mainly talks about David's drug use and the death of this highly talented and misunderstood star. Tony, who was David's godchild, traveled with him on his cocaine filled tours. Tony was the jack-of-all-trades for David. He got his up in the morning, bathed, fed, clothed and housed him until his tragic death.

Tony also discusses his foe and one time employer Mary Wilson. Tony talks about driving down to a seedy part of town to buy C-sharp (cocaine) with Mary. She apparently starts screaming at the drug dealer about the price! She goes into a version of 'Stop in the Name of Love!' to prove that she IS Mary Wilson. WOW! The book also talks about David's curse filled outbursts at Martha Reeves and anyone else in David's path (funny.) The treatment of Motown of its stars is also touched on. After the hits stopped coming, Motown seemed to forget about the 'kids' who made the company. Motown may have had an artistic development program to teach dance steps and interview techniques but what about the after life of stars like David? Even the diva Diana Ross says that after the Supremes broke up she only had a $100,000 to her name--even though they rivaled the Beatles in sales!

'Deliver us from Temptation' made me weep at the end. After generating millions of dollars for Motown, David died alone apparently in a crack house. His funeral was a mess, held in the same church that Florence Ballard of the Supremes spent her last day above ground. Berry Gordy did not show up at either ceremony--how's that for gratitude! If you can find this out of print book anywhere and are a major Tempts fan--give it a read. You will learn so much about the Tempt that Motown tried to bury long before his was dead.

Is everything in this novel true? Who really knows, but it is a fast-paced fun-filled read.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointed after reading Turner's original book
Review: I have re-read Tony Turner's first book, "All That Glittered - My Life With The Supremes," too many times to count, and I LOVED that book, so I was really expecting a great followup when I heard about this book, "Deliver Us From Temptation". In the first book, "All That Glittered", Tony made the reader feel as if he/she were sitting in the same room, having the same conversations, and actually experiencing and reliving events with the Supremes as they happened. But "Deliver Us From Temptation," seems to be the victim of an overzealous editor. The "feel" and "tone" of the book sounds too much like a well-structured novel spliced with a few tawdry gossip incidents, and not enough like a first person conversation, which is why I enjoyed his first book so much.

I also agree with the earlier reviewer. There are too many references and undertones to homosexuality throughout the book. While I'm not knocking Tony Turner's sexual preference, it is clear what it is, all throughout the book. This was not the case with his first book.

I would never have bought this book if I had known that the style of writing would be so different from his first book. After reading the book, I came away feeling sorry for all of the Temptations, especially David Ruffin, and the book does provide insight on the tragic lives of singers that are exploited by their record companies, and in the end, have to keep working all of their lives because they are practically penniless.

The bottom line is: This book was not worth what I paid for it. I will probably try to resell my copy. "Deliver Us From Temptation" is a big letdown after "All That Glittered." I really expected much more from Tony Turner.

Rating:
Summary: Got some questions for Mr. Turner!!
Review: I have read this book one time, but I'm reading it again to see if I missed something. I'm not really sure how to take this book. I will say this though, it's a quick read. I know as with all books about other people, you can't really believe everything, but somethings I HAVE to mention and question.

1)If he was 12 when he started travelling w/Motown, why would his mother let him travel with all these grown folk? I'm confused by this. From what I've read, it's not like he had any type of family connection to any of them or anything. And he was definitely not in the same boat as Stevie. I don't think I would have let my kid travel w/these adults (who were still very young themselves) and really trust them to watch out for him. Nope.

2)I'm not understanding why his choice of lifestyle has to color the pages of the book. I wonder if it is really necessary. As far as I can see, it doesn't add to the book. IMO. And some of the suggestions he's making do not sit well with me. I just have to ask why.

3)I haven't read anywhere HOW he ended up managing Mary first, and then ending up w/the guys. In Mary's books, she only mentions him once, total. Unless I skipped over, but I'm positive I didn't. And what she said about him wasn't even significant or anything. And the same w/the guys. I haven't read where he said how he ended up managing them or whatever it was he did.

4)And finally, for now anyways, for all the traveling that he did with the guys, there aren't any pictures in the book w/him and the guys. There is one w/him and Den, but not w/Eddie and David. And a lot of the pics of the guys are someone else's pictures. I'm curious about this.

5)In the book, he mentions about when David was replaced. He says that the Tempts were sneaking Dennis in and he gives the impression that David didn't even know Dennis. But if you let Dennis tell it, see the Street Gold tape, David and Dennis talked about it before he got the call. So, I can't help but wonder how close to certain situations Turner really was. Of course he wasn't privy to this particular incident, but this is completely different from what Dennis said.

A lot of his book reads as gossip, and truthfully, there are only so many times I could hear him call himself "Diva" and other such names, and hear others call him "Baby and the b-word" before I quit taking him seriously. It was definitely a bit much.

Also, unlike Martha Reeves or Mary Wilson, I am not understanding why he feels the need to grind an ax. He wasn't burned or anything by Motown, so most of what he says about others (i.e. Diana Ross) is from hearsay or what he's been told. I mean, really, Mary can attest to Diana's actions because it happened to her! Not this guy!

I don't feel like he honored the memories of the great Eddie Kendrick (my favorite), David Ruffin, or even the still living Dennis Edwards. In the preface, he mentions how they told him to keep the family secrets secrets.( it's in there). So I'm inclined to believe that this was more for personal gain than anything else.

I've read better books, and the main thing that this one has going for it is that it's a quick read. Pick it up from your local library, and DON'T U DARE pay ... for a used one!!

Rating:
Summary: Got some questions for Mr. Turner!!
Review: I have read this book one time, but I'm reading it again to see if I missed something. I'm not really sure how to take this book. I will say this though, it's a quick read. I know as with all books about other people, you can't really believe everything, but somethings I HAVE to mention and question.

1)If he was 12 when he started travelling w/Motown, why would his mother let him travel with all these grown folk? I'm confused by this. From what I've read, it's not like he had any type of family connection to any of them or anything. And he was definitely not in the same boat as Stevie. I don't think I would have let my kid travel w/these adults (who were still very young themselves) and really trust them to watch out for him. Nope.

2)I'm not understanding why his choice of lifestyle has to color the pages of the book. I wonder if it is really necessary. As far as I can see, it doesn't add to the book. IMO. And some of the suggestions he's making do not sit well with me. I just have to ask why.

3)I haven't read anywhere HOW he ended up managing Mary first, and then ending up w/the guys. In Mary's books, she only mentions him once, total. Unless I skipped over, but I'm positive I didn't. And what she said about him wasn't even significant or anything. And the same w/the guys. I haven't read where he said how he ended up managing them or whatever it was he did.

4)And finally, for now anyways, for all the traveling that he did with the guys, there aren't any pictures in the book w/him and the guys. There is one w/him and Den, but not w/Eddie and David. And a lot of the pics of the guys are someone else's pictures. I'm curious about this.

5)In the book, he mentions about when David was replaced. He says that the Tempts were sneaking Dennis in and he gives the impression that David didn't even know Dennis. But if you let Dennis tell it, see the Street Gold tape, David and Dennis talked about it before he got the call. So, I can't help but wonder how close to certain situations Turner really was. Of course he wasn't privy to this particular incident, but this is completely different from what Dennis said.

A lot of his book reads as gossip, and truthfully, there are only so many times I could hear him call himself "Diva" and other such names, and hear others call him "Baby and the b-word" before I quit taking him seriously. It was definitely a bit much.

Also, unlike Martha Reeves or Mary Wilson, I am not understanding why he feels the need to grind an ax. He wasn't burned or anything by Motown, so most of what he says about others (i.e. Diana Ross) is from hearsay or what he's been told. I mean, really, Mary can attest to Diana's actions because it happened to her! Not this guy!

I don't feel like he honored the memories of the great Eddie Kendrick (my favorite), David Ruffin, or even the still living Dennis Edwards. In the preface, he mentions how they told him to keep the family secrets secrets.( it's in there). So I'm inclined to believe that this was more for personal gain than anything else.

I've read better books, and the main thing that this one has going for it is that it's a quick read. Pick it up from your local library, and DON'T U DARE pay ... for a used one!!

Rating:
Summary: Shocking, intriguing and Sad Book!!
Review: I just read a borrowed library copy of the book. I originally read it for the Motown dirt (being very interested in Motown history). But as I read further I began to feel very sorry for the lives of Eddie Kendricks, Dennis Edwards and David Ruffin. These men were put on a revolving door of the group and when basically kicked to the curb (by their own faults or for standing up against Motown's business practices) had to depend on their entire survival on performing day in and day out!! Even at the expense of their health, not being around family as much and countless women and drug 'temptations' they individually dealt with. Mr. Turner's book gave you an inside profound perspective of the three men's personalities, behavior and drama. Aspects I believe that in Otis Williams movie version of his tell all book that makes them out to be the difficult troublesome bad guys and doesn't go into much detail and makes himself out to be the "revered saint" of sorts. I definitely learned from this book to not put all your eggs in one basket and to make sure that in your life you are able to branch out and do different things and not be overly dependent on one major thing just to survive on a day to day basis!! Also anyone who is going into the music industry should also read this book as a valuable learning lesson to realize the industry is 90% business and 10% show and you betta learn the business side REALLY GOOD OR YOU ARE GONNA GET [messed] OVER. It is a shame to see that Edwards, Ruffin and Kendricks spent their graying years bitter, resentful and not getting over the past yet relished in the "star status" treatment they were given when they toured and as they struggled to perform for their livelihood!! Because sadly as the author states that is all they knew how to do was to put on the star role and they were groomed to do that when they were with Motown (and not taught about anything else).

Rating:
Summary: Now I see why Eddie didn't want Tony at his funeral
Review: I recently read Otis Williams' book about the Temptations and I have just recently had the misfortune of ready Tony Turners. Although Otis isn't one of the nicest persons. his book talked about each member of the group it was not vindictive spiteful or mean. Infact his book was written while all were alive with the exception of Paul. Tony's book on the other hand was pure trash. I can't believe he trashed the very men that he considered his "godfather" and "uncle's" and his beef with Mary is just ridiculous. He is a bitter fired employee who has an ax to grind with everyone who doesn't or hasn't acknowledged his existence in their memoirs. The information Tony "reveals" about Diana has been repeated in countless books about her. Berry was a snake in the grass but Eddie was an idiot for signing his rights away he didn't have to do that. Gladys Knight left Motown yet she is still receiving royalties. That's Eddie's fault for doing that not Berry's. David's drug use can be blamed on one person DAVID no one forced him to take the easy way out by using drugs and what kind of godson is Tony to go out and buy drugs for David. I find some of Tony's stories a little to far fetched to believe. This book is a tell all spiteful bunch of papers. I see now why Tony was banned from attending Eddie's funeral funny that Otis wasn't.

Rating:
Summary: An unexpected surprize
Review: I was really surprized that I liked "Deliver Us From Temptation". I had heard that Eddie Kendrick was very distressed upon learning that the author was going to write a "tell-all" book about what went on behind the scenes with them, so I was prepared to hate it. I was expecting it to be a harsh and critical look at the Temptations, specifically three of the Temptations' legendary lead singers: Eddie Kendrick, David Ruffin and Dennis Edwards. But after reading it, instead I saw something different...a realistic and totally human side to these guys, these icons of soul I grew up loving as a kid. True, Tony Turner doesn't tell us anything that wasn't already common knowledge among Motown fans. In writing this book, he also has exploited the lives of Eddie, David and Dennis, much like Berry Gordy did. Turner's catty writing style and his hint-dropping as to whom he might have had a sexual experience with was somewhat annoying. Who really cares who this groupie-turned-road manager slept with? It served absolutely no purpose to mention that. However, I found this book to be very believable and amusing at times. There were also stories that were so heartbreakingly sad that I wanted to cry. It was interesting to read something other than the Otis Williams' version of the Temptations' story, because it covers more than just one point of view.

I thought it was a shame how these guys, long after their glory days at Motown had ended, still expected to be treated like A-list stars, as if they couldn't imagine their lives any other way. Their inability to accept the realities of their situations hurt them in later years because they didn't plan for their futures like they should have...They couldn't see beyond the glitz and the glamour of being celebrities. Perhaps Motown had spoiled them, by handling everything for them in the early days. Need a new car? New house? New wardrobe? You got it. Income tax returns? You don't even have to see them, we'll handle everything for you...no need to ask any questions. And they didn't. You get the idea.

It was these very same conditions that caused Kendrick, Ruffin and Edwards and many others in similar positions to rebel against the company in later years and blame Berry Gordy for all the problems they would endure. Were they justified feeling this way? In some cases, absolutely (i.e., EJK being forced to sign away his rights to the material he wrote and produced over the years in order to get out of his Motown contract in 1978 -- shame on you, Berry). In other cases, maybe not. Turner kind of lets you decide by giving you the information and letting you judge for yourself as to whether these guys were simply victims of Gordy's power plays, or were their own worst enemies.

Another thing that prevented me from giving this book five stars was that Turner spent entirely too much time and energy bad-mouthing ex-Supreme Mary Wilson. Every opportunity he had, he had something negative to say about her. Sometimes I forgot I was reading about the Tempts because Mary's name comes up throughout the book far too many times! It really didn't add anything of value to the story. So hint to Tony: If you're going to write about Mary, please restrict that to a book about her and her ALONE. I really don't want to hear about how much you obviously dislike her in a book that's supposed to be about someone else. But other than that, this book is highly entertaining, bittersweet, and a must for any fan of Motown, the Temptations, and Kendrick, Ruffin and Edwards in particular.

Rating:
Summary: The author should work on his OWN issues!
Review: I've read this book at least 3 or more times, and the more I read it, the more questions come up in my mind:

(1) What grudge does this man have against Otis Williams? Otis Williams did NOT cheat David, Eddie, or Dennis of anything. Otis, along with the late Melvin Franklin, had the sense to keep a level head and pick his battles carefully when it came to what was best for the group as a whole. Who is Tony to say anything? He wasn't even a Temptation himself, so he is only going by what his disgruntled 'godfather' and surrogate 'uncles' told him. Tony didn't even try to get Otis' and Melvin's side of the story. Contrary to Tony's slanderous remarks, Otis handled his role well. Otis talked about the good AND bad character traits of his fellow Temptations (which the author didn't have enough class to do for Otis). Otis loved the group, and that's why he had the sense to get the copyright for the Temptations' name (which he and Melvin had every right to do because they STAYED and persevered long after everyoone else left).
Otis and Melvin simply used the good sense God gave them and helped keep the group together to this day, while David, Eddie and Dennis languished. That wasn't Otis' fault.

(2) Tony is the worst enabler of these men's bad habits I've ever seen. How could this man claim to 'love' these people he idolizes so much while TAKING them to meet with drug pushers at their request? How could he go and get the drugs for his 'godfather' David. knowing that it wasn't good for him? A true friend would have ran for the hills a long time ago and refused to be part of that foolishness. His being starstruck is no excuse

(3) Was Tony's own life so pathetically empty that he had to spend over 25 years of it waiting on these celebrities hand and foot? It's one thing to be there for one's friends, but this is ridiculous. It seems that Tony has used the stories of these people as his own miserable claim to fame. He doesn't have much of a life, so he saps the lives of others.

This man is not a fan, he's a parasite. He needs to deal with his own issues before he talks about other people. He's a bitter groupie who needs to get a life!

I reccomend reading Mary Wilson's "Dreamgirl/Supreme Faith" and Ptis Williams' book. As original members of these legendary groups, they are the ONLY ones who truly have something to say about what went on behind the scenes.

Rating:
Summary: Pure Garbage
Review: Mr. Turner tells all of the sordid storys behind not just the Temptations and Motown, but also other artists. He leaves almost no stone unturned in telling of each of the Temptation's life. This book reads like a supermarket tabloid. The tone the book is written in is gossipy, trashy, and vendictive. It's very obvious that Turner still has an ax to grind against many people. However, this book is like an car accident...You know you probably shouldn't look but you can't help yourself. On the plus side, he does give you a beautiful but brief image of what it was like to be at Motown during it's hey day of hit records, and beautiful young artists who changed the world. I personally did not believe every word of this book, i.e. Berry Gordy was a street pimp prior to starting Motown. But, Mr Turner did have an insider's view of these artists, and does have a story to tell. If nothing else this is an intresting read.

Rating:
Summary: Another Side of The Story
Review: Written in a bitchy, gossipy style,Tony Turner's "Deliver Us From Temptation" is a compulsively readable guilty pleasure. As a self confessed Motown freak, I have to read everything about this golden label and it's historic artists. This one focuses on The Temptations on the road (the author was their road manager) in their later years when the hits have stopped coming and the gigs are getting more scarce and the drugs are taking their toll. The tragically self destructive David Ruffin is probably the most interesting and charismatic of The Temps and this book teased me into wanting to know even more about him. Like a lot of Motown related books this one is out of print and goes for a pretty penny when bought used. I got it out of my local library and recommend the same to anyone wanting an equally fun, sad and informative read about one of the best (and most interesting) R&B groups of all time. P.S- This was the first book I've read that mentions Berry Gordy was once a Pimp. If this is true it explains a lot about the way he handled his artists.