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Bruce Williamson (singer)

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Bruce Williamson Jr. (September 28, 1970 – September 6, 2020) was an American R&B and soul singer and a onetime lead singer for The Temptations.[1]

Career

Williamson had shown interest in joining the legendary Temptations music group since 1994. In an effort to help sign a fellow Vegas group to a label, Williamson's manager Dave Wallace introduced Williamson to longtime Temptations vocalist Ron Tyson. After listening to Williamson sing, Tyson mentored him and tried to have Williamson become a member of the Temptations for over a decade. Williamson later explained, "Otis Williams was initially against me joining the group, because he thought I was too big and too young," but Williams eventually relented allowing Williamson to enter the group.[2]

Many of the Temptations' fans learned of Williamson's entry after former member G.C. Cameron told a New York City radio station that he was leaving the group to continue his solo career. Williamson has been quoted as saying that he had done "more in six months of being a Temptation than many artists have done in a lifetime." Williamson appeared on the group's recent albums, Back to Front and Still Here, and has participated in many public events with The Temptations including countless concerts, TV appearances, and a cameo in Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story.

Williamson left the Temptations in 2015. He was replaced by former Tower of Power vocalist Larry Braggs.

Personal life and death

Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Bruce started singing in church at a young age. Williamson's love for music began after experiencing jealousy over his cousin's frequent choir leads. Having sung gospel music for most of his life, he also began singing R&B music in local clubs. Williamson later took his talent to the famous Las Vegas Strip, fronting the popular cover, funk band, BlackBerry Jam.

In August 2019, Williamson was diagnosed with COVID-19 after having recovered from gall bladder surgery. He died on September 6, 2020, in Las Vegas from complications of COVID-19. At the time of his death, Williamson was working on R&B and gospel albums, one of which was with a reloaded BlackBerry Jam band entitled Send the Rain.[3][4]

References

  1. ^ "Temptations offer a rare treat". Mississauga.com. October 31, 2009. Retrieved May 21, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)[dead link‍]
  2. ^ Bailey-Tureaud, Kimberly (February 1, 2013). "Bruce Williamson: With the Temptations, Las Vegas entertainer finds a home in music history". Las Vegas Black Image. Archived from the original on September 7, 2020. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  3. ^ Wallis, Kim (September 7, 2020). "Bruce Williamson, former lead singer of The Temptations, dies at 49 from COVID-19". USA Today. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  4. ^ Sblendorio, Peter (September 7, 2020). "The Temptations singer Bruce Williamson dead at 49 after coronavirus battle". New York Daily News. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
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