The Siberians (Detroit, Michigan)


Personnel :

Otis Williams

Elbridge "Al" Bryant

James Crawford

Arthur Walton

Vernard Plain


Discography :

1958 - Pecos Kid / All of My Life (?)

Biography :

Four of the Distants became members of the world-renowned Temptations, the most popular male recording group ever. They began as Otis & the Siberians with a lineup of Otis Williams, Elbridge "Al" Bryant, James Crawford, Arthur Walton, and Vernard Plain. Detroit DJ Bill Williams discovered them singing at a hop and became their manager, and helped get them their first recording opportunity "Pecos Kid" b/w "All of My Life" for another DJ, Senator Bristol Bryant's label. Williams had little time and no managerial skills, and Bryant had no inclination to promote the record outside of Detroit; so they switched to Johnnie Mae Matthews' Northern Records. Like most groups seeking fame and fortune, the Distants endured many personnel changes, Melvin Franklin nee David English replaced bass singer Arthur Walton. Franklin had recorded with the Voice Masters on "Need It." Then Plain left, which gave Franklin's cousin Richard Street, an opening; he stepped in as the groups' lead singer. And if that wasn't enough change, the Siberians became the Distants.



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